New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission locations did not reopen on Monday, much to the confusion of many state residents.

The Garden State entered Phase 2 of its COVID-19 reopening plan, allowing for nonessential retail to reopen and outdoor dining at restaurants. Many assumed that the MVC offices would also reopen – but this was not the case.

There was a sign on the door of the MVC office in Eatontown that read “June 15: Drop-off – Driving school permits. June 29: Walk-ins – Licenses/IDs. Closed Saturdays until July 11.”

Isaiah Robinson, of Neptune, says that he thought he saw on the MVC website that the office reopened on June 15. News 12 New Jersey also checked the website, and this was not the case. It says that most transactions start on June 29.

Robinson bought his car through a private sale and cannot get it registered at this time. That can only be done in person.

“It’s been like three months just sitting. I have nothing to do. Can’t drive nowhere,” he says.

Others received letters saying that their licenses have been suspended and cannot get that rectified.

“I’m trying to find out why my license is suspended so I can pay if it’s something like that,” says Aldric Smith.

Lilli Beth says that she is nervous to drive due to her suspension.

“You never know if you’re going to get pulled over for a minor infraction and end up having a bigger issue,” she says.

Eatontown MVC manager Chris Sicilano was in the parking lot of the office on Monday to speak to customers who showed up and explained what happened.

“I was just told that I have to carry a copy of my letter and show that to them as proof,” says Beth.

MVC chief administrator Sue Fulton says that she empathizes with the customers who showed up on Monday.

“I can still understand if June 15 was the opening for a lot of things and there was confusion about MVC,” she says.

Fulton says that staffers need more time to cut the backlog of cases before opening doors to walk-in customers.

“We had three months of road tests canceled – about 60,000 road tests. So, what we don’t want is to create additional backlog for the road test,” she says.

Fulton warns drivers that if they do go to the MVC on June 29, to be sure to go to the right facility for licenses and IDs.

“If you have a registration or vehicle transaction, make sure you’re doing to a vehicle center,” she says.

MVC officials also say that customers should try to do what they can at the MVC’s website. Anyone who shows up at the office on June 29 will be turned away if they are trying to do something that can be done on the MVC website.