The Lodi DMV Office Location and Hours

The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission office in Lodi is located at 10 Dey Street, Lodi, NJ 07644. This is a full-service office that handles driver's licenses, vehicle registration, title transfers, and most standard DMV transactions. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and closed on weekends and state holidays.

Parking is available on-site, though spaces can fill during peak hours. The building is accessible by car from Route 46 and is near local transit options if you prefer not to drive. There is no appointment system at this location — service is first-come, first-served, which means wait times vary significantly depending on the time of day and day of the week.

If you are traveling from outside the when ready area, the office is roughly 15 miles west of Newark and about 25 miles north of New York City. Plan for travel time and arrive early if you need to complete your transaction on a specific day.

Key Takeaways

  • The Lodi office is located at 10 Dey Street and operates Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with no appointment system.
  • You must bring original documents — a birth certificate or passport, proof of residency, and your Social Security number — to complete most transactions.
  • Wait times are typically shortest on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings before 10:00 a.m., and longest on Fridays and late afternoons.
  • The office handles driver's license renewals, new licenses, vehicle registration, title transfers, and address changes without requiring an appointment.
  • If you cannot visit in person, you can renew your driver's license online through the New Jersey MVC website if you meet the renewal criteria.

What Documents to Bring

The documents you need depend on your specific transaction, but most visits require a core set of items. Bring an original or certified birth certificate, a valid passport, or a permanent resident card as proof of identity. You will also need proof of residency — a utility bill, lease agreement, or mortgage statement dated within the last 30 days showing your current address.

For a driver's license renewal, bring your current license and your Social Security number. For a new license, bring the identity and residency documents listed above plus your Social Security number. If you are registering a vehicle, bring the vehicle's title, proof of insurance, and your Social Security number. For a title transfer, bring the current title, a bill of sale, and proof of insurance.

Bring originals or certified copies — photocopies are not accepted. If any document is not in English, bring a certified English translation along with the original. Bring more documents than you think you need rather than fewer; the office staff can tell you what is unnecessary, but they cannot process your transaction if you are missing something required.

Driver's License Renewals and New Licenses

If your driver's license is expiring soon, you can renew it at the Lodi office or online through the New Jersey MVC website. Online renewal is available if your license is not suspended or revoked, you are not required to take a new photo, and your address has not changed since your last license was issued. The online process takes about 10 minutes and costs less than renewing in person.

If you must renew in person at the Lodi office, bring your current license, proof of residency, and your Social Security number. You will have a new photo taken during the visit. The new license is mailed to your address within 7 to 10 business days. If you need to drive before the new license arrives, you can request a temporary paper license on the day of your visit.

For a new driver's license — if you have never held one or yours was lost or stolen — bring your birth certificate or passport, proof of residency, your Social Security number, and proof of New Jersey residency for at least 30 days. You will take a written test, a vision test, and a road test at a separate testing facility; the Lodi office handles the paperwork and photo only.

Vehicle Registration and Title Transfers

To register a vehicle in New Jersey at the Lodi office, bring the vehicle's title, proof of insurance, your Social Security number, and proof of residency. If the vehicle is financed, bring the lien holder's information as well. Registration is valid for one or two years depending on your choice, and you will receive registration plates and a registration card by mail.

For a title transfer — when you buy a used vehicle from a private seller — bring the current title signed by the seller, a bill of sale, proof of insurance, your Social Security number, and proof of residency. The office will process the transfer and mail you a new title in your name. This process typically takes 7 to 10 business days.

If you are transferring a title from out of state, bring the out-of-state title, a bill of sale, proof of insurance, and your Social Security number. New Jersey will issue you a new title and registration. Bring the vehicle's VIN (vehicle identification number) written down if you do not have the title with you.

Address Changes and Other Common Transactions

If you have moved and need to update your address on your driver's license or vehicle registration, you can do this at the Lodi office or online. For an online address change on your driver's license, visit the New Jersey MVC website and follow the prompts — no office visit is required. For vehicle registration, you can update your address online as well.

If you prefer to update your address in person, bring your current license or registration card and proof of your new address. The update is processed when ready, and you will receive an updated card by mail within 7 to 10 business days. There is no fee for an address change on your driver's license, but vehicle registration address changes may have a small fee depending on your registration type.

Other transactions handled at the Lodi office include duplicate license or registration card requests, name changes on licenses or titles, and corrections to existing documents. Bring the document that needs correction and proof of the correct information — such as a marriage certificate for a name change or a corrected birth certificate for a name or date-of-birth correction.

Wait Times and Best Times to Visit

The Lodi office operates on a first-come, first-served basis with no appointment system. Wait times fluctuate throughout the day and week. Tuesday and Wednesday mornings between 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. typically have the shortest waits — often 15 to 30 minutes. Fridays and late afternoons (after 2:00 p.m.) tend to have longer waits, sometimes exceeding one hour.

Mondays are moderately busy as people return from the weekend. Midday visits (11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.) are often slower than morning or late afternoon. If you have a choice, plan your visit for a Tuesday or Wednesday morning. Bring something to read or work on, as waits can be unpredictable even during slower periods.

The office may close early or experience delays on days before or after state holidays. Check the New Jersey MVC website before you visit to confirm hours, especially around holiday periods. If you are unable to visit during office hours, explore whether your transaction can be completed online — many renewals and address changes can be.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make an appointment at the Lodi DMV office?

No, the Lodi office does not offer appointments. Service is first-come, first-served. You can check current wait times on the New Jersey MVC website before you visit, which may help you plan when to go, but you cannot reserve a specific time slot.

What if I do not have a birth certificate or passport?

You will need one of these documents as proof of identity to obtain a driver's license or register a vehicle. If you do not have either, contact the New Jersey Department of Health to order a birth certificate or the U.S. State Department to order a passport before visiting the Lodi office. Both can take several weeks to arrive.

How long does it take to get a new driver's license after my visit?

Your new driver's license is mailed to your address within 7 to 10 business days. If you need to drive before it arrives, request a temporary paper license at the office on the day of your visit. The temporary license is valid for 30 days.

Can I renew my registration online instead of visiting the office?

Yes, you can renew your vehicle registration online through the New Jersey MVC website if your vehicle passes inspection, your insurance is current, and you have no outstanding violations or fines. Online renewal takes about 10 minutes and your new registration card is mailed within 7 to 10 business days.

What if I need to transfer a title but the seller is not available to sign it in person?

The seller must sign the title before you bring it to the office. If the seller is not available, ask them to sign the title and mail it to you, or arrange a time to meet and sign it together. The Lodi office cannot process a title transfer without the seller's signature on the title document.