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New Jersey MVC Computers Crash As Extended Hours Go Into Effect

TRENTON, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Talk about bad timing. 

Computers at all of New Jersey's Motor Vehicle Commission agencies crashed this morning -- the first Monday in a year that offices were opened.

Officials reversed a money-saving decision enacted last summer that closed offices on Mondays. The decision had resulted in long lines and waiting times.

Monday's outage, which affected several other state agencies, occurred within an hour of the offices opening.

At 9:35 a.m., the MVC issued the following alert on their website: "No agency service due to a technical problem, all motor vehicle agencies are unable to assist customers. We regret the inconvenience and thank you for your patience."

By 1 p.m., the Office of Information of Technology got service back up and running.

1010 WINS' Steve Sandberg reports: Motorists Voice Frustrations

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One motorist knew that he could be in for the long haul when he took his car to get inspected.

"I brought a book, I got coffee," he said. "You prepare yourself, you know, you either you wait or you don't."

Cars line up to get inspected at the MVC office in Wayne, NJ on July 11, 2011 (credit: Steve Sandberg/1010 WINS)

State Motor Vehicles Chief Ray Martinez stopped by the Wayne office Monday and told the crowd that the agency has worked out a new schedule that allows almost 10 additional hours for customers.

One disgruntled driver, who took a day off from work to get his license renewed, gave Martinez an earful saying "the system stinks."

Martinez said by next year, the agency will set up a secured online license renewal system.

"You're saying that for next year though, but we're going through it this year," the motorist said.

The agencies will be open between 8 a.m. and 5.30 p.m. weekdays and until 7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays.

On Saturdays, the offices will operate from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m.

Have you had a bad experience at the MVC? Let us know below...

(TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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