The Newark MVC at 228 Frelinghuysen Avenue is Essex County’s licensing center, a road test site and one of the state’s six Regional Service Centers for suspensions and restorations. The inspection station that shared the site closed permanently on April 11, 2026, to make room for a new, expanded Newark agency, and titles and registrations are handled at the East Orange vehicle center. The licensing center is open weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Newark MVC Hours, Address and Contact Details
| Detail | Newark MVC |
|---|---|
| Address | 228 Frelinghuysen Ave, Newark, NJ 07114 (get directions) |
| Hours | Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; Saturday, 8:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.; closed Sundays and state holidays |
| Facility type | Licensing center |
| Appointments | Required for most transactions; book through the MVC appointment scheduler |
| Road test hours | Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m., by appointment |
| Regional Service Center | Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; closed weekends |
| Inspections | Station closed permanently on April 11, 2026 |
| Vehicle services | Not offered; the nearest vehicle center is East Orange |
| Walk-ins | Name and gender marker changes, probationary licenses, disability placards, plate returns, permit validation |
| Phone | No direct line is published. Call MVC customer service at (609) 292-6500, 8:30 a.m.–4:15 p.m., Monday–Friday. |
Newark Inspection Station Closed for a New Agency
The MVC closed the Newark inspection station for good on Saturday, April 11, 2026, so it can build a brand-new, expanded and modernized Newark agency. To give drivers time to adjust, it automatically extended inspection stickers that were due from April through July 2026 by three months. For inspections now, the MVC recommends the Secaucus inspection station, along with the state stations in Rahway, Wayne and Paramus, or any of more than 1,100 private inspection facilities. Our guide to New Jersey car inspection explains what to bring.
If You Used the Glen Ridge or Irvington MVC
The former agencies in Glen Ridge, on Jefferson Avenue, and Irvington, on Washington Avenue, no longer appear on the MVC’s location lists. For license and ID business, Newark is the closest licensing center to both; for titles, registrations and plates, go to East Orange.
Do You Need an Appointment at the Newark MVC?
For license and ID business and road tests, yes. First-time licenses, permits and non-driver IDs, REAL ID, knowledge tests, out-of-state transfers, renewals that can’t be done online and road tests are all booked ahead. Some Regional Service Center services take walk-ins.
How to Book an Appointment
- Open the MVC’s appointment scheduler and choose your appointment type, such as Initial permit, Auto road test, REAL ID or Renewal.
- Pick Newark from the list of locations, then choose an open date and time.
- Enter your contact details and keep the confirmation email. Each person needs their own appointment.
Walk-In Services
You can walk in without an appointment for name and gender marker changes, a probationary license after you pass your road test, disability placards, plate returns, permit validation, red GDL decals and 5-year driver abstracts. Most MVC agencies also have a drop box for returning plates.
Services Available at the Newark MVC
| Service | Available here? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| First-time license, permit or non-driver ID | Yes | By appointment |
| License or ID renewal | Yes | By appointment, if you can’t renew online |
| REAL ID | Yes | By appointment |
| Knowledge tests | Yes | By appointment |
| Road tests | Yes | By appointment, weekdays 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. |
| Out-of-state license transfer | Yes | By appointment |
| CDL permits, endorsements and renewals | Yes | By appointment |
| Name and gender marker changes | Yes | Walk-in |
| Probationary license after a road test | Yes | Walk-in |
| Disability placards and plate returns | Yes | Walk-in |
| Suspension and restoration conferences | Yes | Regional Service Center, weekdays |
| Vehicle inspections | No | Station closed permanently; try Secaucus, Rahway, Wayne or Paramus |
| Titles, registrations and plates | No | East Orange vehicle center |
Road Tests at the Newark MVC
Newark is still listed as a road test site, and it’s the closest one for much of Essex and Hudson counties. Book an “Auto road test” appointment once you’ve passed the knowledge and vision tests and have a validated permit. The MVC requires six months of supervised driving if you’re under 21, three months if you’re 21 or older, or 20 days outside the Graduated Driver License program. Tests run weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and when you pass, you can walk in for your probationary license. Our NJ MVC appointment guide covers motorcycle, moped and CDL tests too.
The Newark Regional Service Center
Newark’s Regional Service Center handles driver conferences and appeals for suspensions and restorations, and scheduled reviews such as identity theft claims and identification hearings. Without an appointment, you can get information about your driving record, points and insurance surcharges, resolve court suspensions and pay fees. It’s open weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For point-system and drunk-driving suspensions, call (609) 292-7500; the MVC suggests Tuesday through Friday, avoiding noon to 2:00 p.m.
Driver’s Licenses and REAL ID
Renewing Your License
Most drivers can renew online, including those renewing a REAL ID, even if their renewal notice says to visit an agency. You must renew in person, by appointment, if you hold a CDL or your visa is expiring. New licenses aren’t printed at the agency; yours arrives by mail in two to four weeks, so keep your receipt until it does. A license that’s been expired for more than three years means starting over as a first-time driver.
Getting a REAL ID
If your license expires within three months, book a renewal appointment and upgrade during that visit; otherwise, book a REAL ID appointment. Bring identity documents worth six points, two proofs of your address and proof of your Social Security number. A REAL ID costs $35, compared with $24 for a standard license.
License and Permit Fees
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Auto license, initial or renewal | $24 |
| REAL ID license or ID | $35 |
| Duplicate license or change | $11 |
| Student learner’s or examination permit | $10 |
| Motorcycle permit | $5 |
| Motorcycle license | $24 |
| CDL | $42 plus $2 per endorsement |
| CDL permit | $125 |
Vehicle Services Near Newark
Newark doesn’t handle titles, registrations or plates. The closest vehicle center is the East Orange MVC at 183 South 18th Street; the Springfield vehicle center on Route 22 also takes REAL ID appointments. Both work by appointment. Our guide on how to register a car in New Jersey lists what to bring.
Before You Go: Payment and Holiday Closures
Accepted Payment Methods
The MVC accepts American Express, Mastercard, Visa and Discover cards, checks, money orders and cash.
Holiday Closures
Like every MVC facility, the Newark agency closes on state holidays. Expect closures on Columbus Day (Monday, October 12, 2026), Election Day (Tuesday, November 3), Veterans Day (Wednesday, November 11) and Thanksgiving (Thursday, November 26); the MVC announces each one a few days ahead.
Services You Can Complete Online
Some transactions don’t need a trip to Newark at all. On the MVC’s online services page, you can:
- Renew a standard or REAL ID license or ID, if you’re eligible
- Change your address
- Replace a lost license
- Renew a vehicle registration or replace a lost one
- Request your driver history abstract
- Pay a surcharge or restoration fee
Tips for Visiting the Newark MVC
- Don’t bring your car for inspection. The Newark station is closed for good; Secaucus is the MVC’s first suggestion.
- Take vehicle paperwork to East Orange. Newark can’t process titles, registrations or plates.
- Come on a weekday for suspension matters. The Regional Service Center is closed on Saturdays.
- Walk in after your road test. Probationary licenses don’t need a new appointment.
- Renew online when you can. Most renewals don’t need a visit.
Other MVC Offices Near Newark
If Newark has no times that suit you, these agencies also handle licensing:
- Elizabeth MVC: 17 Caldwell Pl, Elizabeth; licensing only
- Bayonne MVC: 1347 Kennedy Blvd, Bayonne; licensing only
- Rahway MVC: 1140 Woodbridge Rd, Rahway; licensing, inspections and road tests
- Paterson MVC: 125 Broadway, Suite 201, Paterson; licensing and a Regional Service Center
For every location in the state, see our guide to New Jersey MVC offices.
Frequently Asked Questions
At 228 Frelinghuysen Avenue, Newark, NJ 07114, in Essex County.
The licensing center is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Road tests run weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and the Regional Service Center is open weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
No. It closed permanently on April 11, 2026, so the MVC can build a new, expanded Newark agency. The MVC recommends Secaucus, Rahway, Wayne and Paramus instead.
Yes. Newark is a road test site, with tests given by appointment on weekdays.
No. Newark is a licensing center. Titles, registrations and plates are handled at the East Orange vehicle center.
There’s no direct line. Call MVC customer service at (609) 292-6500, 8:30 a.m.–4:15 p.m., Monday–Friday, or (609) 292-7500 for point-system and drunk-driving suspensions.
Conclusion
The Newark MVC at 228 Frelinghuysen Avenue handles licensing, road tests and Regional Service Center business, weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and, for licensing, Saturdays until 3:00 p.m. Book appointments for permits, REAL ID and road tests, take vehicle business to East Orange, and get inspections in Secaucus, Rahway, Wayne or Paramus now that Newark’s station has closed.
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