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RMV - COVID-19 Information

The Massachusetts RMV is taking an important step following Governor Charlie Baker’s declaration of a State of Emergency on March 10th and to complement the work that has been underway for the past few months across state government to keep residents safe and healthy.

Due to the recent activity surrounding COVID 19 (Corona Virus), the Massachusetts RMV has taken measures to reduce customer visits in our Service Centers and AAA offices. Refer to the sections below or review our FAQs for more information.

 

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RMV Service Centers and AAA Locations

RMV Service Centers

The RMV has a strict no walk-in policy at its Service Centers open to the general public. Reservations are available only for certain necessary and required in-person transactions that cannot be completed online, by phone, or by mail. 

If you need to complete an in-person transaction, you are required to make or cancel a reservation online. Customers arriving without an appointment will be asked to leave and make one online to return at a future date.

The reservation calendar will show dates that are available for booking, dates that are full/unavailable for booking, and dates that are not yet available for booking. If there are no appointments available, please check back later as appointments may open up during business hours.

You can make or cancel a reservation online. You will be sent a confirmation email that you must show on arrival at your designated time at a specific Service Center.

Customers who make an appointment are advised to arrive on time and prepared for their visit at their selected location, and will be sent a confirmation email that they should be prepared to show on arrival. Customers who make a reservation are the only ones allowed in the Service Center - family and/or friends must wait outside. The only exception is for Learner's Permit applicants who are allowed a parent/guardian to accompany them. Customers who do not have immediate needs for necessary and required in-person transactions should delay their visits and not visit a Service Center without an appointment. 

Only the following RMV centers will be open until further notice:

For your safety and ours, we ask all RMV customers to wear face coverings when you visit the Service Center for your scheduled reservation.

The RMV practices 'social-distancing' at our Service Centers. This means that we only allow a certain number of customers in each center at a time. 

The RMV has taken other steps to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19.  In keeping with recommendations from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, the RMV has:

  • adopted enhanced cleaning practices for facilities
  • purchased additional contactless hand sanitizer dispensing stations
  • issued anti-viral disinfectant wipes and individual size hand sanitizers to certain employees
  • expanded areas to be disinfected

Before visiting an RMV Service Center, please visit the RMV's Online Service Center to see if your transaction can be processed online. We offer over 40 transactions online.

Registration Drop Off and B2B Centers

On Monday, August 3, the RMV will begin to pilot drop-off registration and title services at the Braintree Service Center, with additional locations to follow beginning Monday, August 10th. These Registration Drop Off Centers will be dedicated to performing a number of vehicle-based registration and title services for both commercial and individual customer transactions on a drop-off only basis. Customers choosing this option will be able to drop-off appropriate paperwork for processing within a few business days. Click here for more information.

For a list of Business to Business (B2B) Centers, click here.

AAA Locations

On May 18, AAA reopened select branch offices to perform RMV services. AAA members must make an online reservation. Appointments can be made up to two weeks in advance. Visit aaa.com/appointments to schedule your visit.

Class D, M, and DM Driver's Licenses and Learner's Permits, and Mass IDs

All Class D and Class DM driver’s licenses and ID cards, and Learner’s Permits that have expired or are expiring between March 1, 2020 and August 31, 2020, will have an extension applied to the current expiration date and do not need to be renewed at this time.  

The RMV is only allowing renewals online.  For step by step instructions to renew your driver's license online, click here. 

Driver's Licenses and IDs

  • Driver’s licenses and ID cards that expired or will expire in March, April, and May 2020, will now expire in September 2020.
  • Driver’s licenses and ID cards that will expire in June have been extended until October 2020.
  • Driver’s licenses and ID cards that will expire in July have been extended until November 2020.
  • Driver’s licenses and ID cards that will expire in August have been extended until December 2020.
  • The specific expiration date typically coincides with an individual’s birth date.
  • Customers holding an RMV credential marked “Limited-Term” that has expired or will expire between March 1 and August 31, 2020 should refer to section below.
  • The RMV is not providing updated credentials to reflect the extended date.

Learner's Permits

All learner’s permits expiring between March and August 2020 have been extended until December 2020. This extension will allow additional time for permit students and driving schools to complete in-car instruction and a road test when those functions are authorized to re-start safely.

Knowledge Tests

Individuals seeking a passenger or motorcycle (Class D & M) learner’s permit will be required to start their application online and make an appointment to visit a Service Center to provide required identification documentation. Once an application and documents have been processed and verified at a Service Center, customers will be given login instructions and credentials to complete their test online at home. 

Effective June 10th, the passenger and motorcycle (Class D & M) learners’ permit knowledge exam will be available to take online and that dedicated Permit-Only Appointment Hours will be available at select Service Center locations, after the process was suspended in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Review these FAQs for more information.

Supervised Driving Receipt

The RMV is currently offering the Supervised Driving Receipt. Below is content from the Governor's Executive Order:

Any person who has reached or will reach his or her sixteenth birthday between (a) March 1, 2020 and (b) June 30, 2020, may, upon or following his or her birthday and the successful completion of an online learner’s permit examination as required by the Registrar of Motor Vehicles, operate a Class D motor vehicle for up to 90 days within the Commonwealth. Any person operating a motor vehicle pursuant to this section shall:

  1. be accompanied at all times by an operator who is duly licensed by his or her state of residence, is 21 years of age or over, has had at least 1 year of driving experience, and is occupying a seat beside the driver;
  2. not operate a motor vehicle between the hours of 12:00 A.M. and 5:00 A.M.;
  3. carry a printed copy of the person’s supervised driving receipt demonstrating successful completion of the learner’s permit examination and proof that the driver is lawfully present in the United States, which may include the original or a copy of a birth certificate or the original of a passport.

The Registrar shall publish a list of required documents and procedures for obtaining driving privileges pursuant to this section on the Registry of Motor Vehicle’s website.

The supervised driving receipt demonstrating successful completion of the learner’s permit examination shall permit the holder to enroll in a certified driving education and training course, and hours driven pursuant to this section shall be counted towards the supervised driving hours required by G.L. c. 90, § 8, par. 2(c), as those hours are temporarily modified by section 2 of this Order.

The supervised driving receipt shall not be considered a learner’s permit and the period of time during which a person holds a supervised driving receipt shall not count towards the 6 months of incident-free driving experience, which is a condition of licensure pursuant to G.L. c. 90, § 8, par. 2(a) . The Registrar may suspend or revoke driving privileges granted under this section for any violation of the provisions of G.L. c. 90, or any regulations promulgated under the authority of said chapter.

Limited Term Credentials

Customers holding a credential that expired between March 1 and August 31, 2020 that is marked “LIMITED TERM”, should take the following action:

  1. Determine if an extension has been added to your credential by using the “Access My Profile” feature from the Online Service Center option on Mass.Gov/RMV. Once you are logged in, your expiration date will appear on the left side of the screen. If your credential has been extended, you do not need to take any further action until that new date.
  2. Customers eligible for renewal are encouraged to attempt to renew online for a Standard License/ID using their lawful presence documentation. It is important to note that selecting a REAL ID requires an in-person visit to the RMV and the RMV has suspended the issuance of a REAL ID for a renewal at this time. Select a Standard Massachusetts credential when performing the online renewal. 
  3. If you are not successful with a remote Standard renewal, you may make a reservation for in-person service. Select “Make a Reservation” on Mass.Gov/RMV and select the option “Update My Lawful Presence Verification” in order to proceed with an in-person visit. Be sure to bring any lawful presence documentation including any documentation that indicates an extended stay or automatic extension of your existing status. 

Additional Resources

Learner's Permit Knowledge Test FAQs (PDF 144.49 KB)
Online Learner's Permit Customer Job Aid (PDF 1.56 MB)

Commercial Drivers

The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) has created a dedicated page for commercial drivers. Click here for detailed information.

 

Renew Online Now, Get a Free REAL ID Later

On March 23rd, the federal government announced a revised REAL ID compliance deadline of October 1, 2021.

During the State of Emergency, the RMV has suspended the issuance of new REAL IDs unless it is part of a first time issuance, out of state conversion, or other limited circumstance. 

Customers who renew for a ‘standard’ Massachusetts driver’s license or ID card online between June 12 and August 12, 2020, will be able to upgrade to a REAL ID if they need it in 2021 at no additional charge. The cost of a license or ID renewal is $50 for a ‘standard’ or REAL ID, while the amendment or upgrade fee waived by an Executive Order is $25. Renew online here.

Road Tests and Driving School Guidance

Road Tests Re-Start Wednesday, June 10th for Previously-Cancelled Customers

The RMV is working closely with the Massachusetts’ Reopening Advisory Board on restarting the administration of road tests as safely as possible, beginning June 10 for students who had a road test scheduled in March, April, or May that was cancelled due to the pandemic. Road tests originally scheduled during normal RMV business hours from March 16th through May 17th are in the process of being re-scheduled and are expected to be completed by July 21st. These students will be notified by email and/or mail and have their road test automatically rescheduled.

Road tests will be available for the public to schedule online beginning June 30th. To book an appointment and for new road test procedures, click here. New appointment times will be added each day. Our live agents will not have the ability to schedule any road tests.

The RMV appreciates the understanding and patience of our customers and business partners in the coming weeks as we work as diligently as possible to address the demand for new road tests.
 
Public road tests (held Monday through Friday at RMV Service Centers) will be rescheduled in priority order, meaning that cancelled road tests will be rescheduled in the same order as they were previously scheduled.

With limited exceptions for the foreseeable future, state vehicles will be used to conduct road tests to ensure the health and safety of our employees, customers, and their sponsors. Vehicles will be cleaned and disinfected between tests, and outfitted with protective barriers. Note that only the examiner and student taking the road test will be permitted in the vehicle for the duration of the road test. Sponsors must wait outside or in their own vehicle. 

The RMV also recommends you watch these videos (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzBxrvXzs-5HnqKlx5HIwAyNKvstdK2pR) to prepare for your road test, and continue to check this page or monitor your email and mail for further updates.

Driving Schools

For mandatory reopening safety standards, recommended best practices and a checklist for driving schools, click here.

In-Car Observation Hours for Junior Operators:

The statute currently requires junior operators with a learner’s permit to complete 6 hours observing another student driver, and 40 supervised driving hours with a parent, guardian or other adult over 21 with a valid license for over one year. The Executive Order signed on June 12th will instead allow for 46 hours of supervised driving hours to be completed with a parent, guardian or other adult over 21 with a valid license for over a year, minimizing the need to spend additional time in a vehicle with individuals from different households which is discouraged under the Massachusetts’ Reopening Advisory Board’s Phase 2 guidance for driving schools.

Additional Resources

Road Test FAQs (PDF 113.78 KB)

Vehicle Registrations and Inspection Stickers

Vehicle Registrations

Renew your registration

All passenger plate registrations that have expired or will expire in March, April, May, and June have been extended.  Registration renewals can continue to be performed online at Mass.Gov/RMV during this time. All school bus, school pupil (7D), and bus registrations that will expire in June have been extended 30 days until July 2020.

  • All passenger plate registrations that expire in March 2020 will now expire in July 2020. 
  • All passenger plate registrations that expire in April 2020, will now expire in July 2020.
  • All passenger plate registrations that expire in May 2020, will now expire in July 2020. 
  • All passenger plate registrations that expire in June 2020, will now expire in July 2020. 
  • The RMV is not providing updated credentials to reflect the extended date.

Below are the options to renew your vehicle registration.

  • If your registration is due to expire soon or is in an expired status, visit the RMV’s Online Service Center at Mass.Gov/RMV.
  • Contact your insurance company. If they participate in the RMV Electronic Vehicle Registration (EVR) program, they can renew your registration for you.
  • If an insurance stamp is required because there is no insurance policy on record, mail a stamped Registration Renewal Application (RMV-2 form), or stamped Registration and Title Application (RTA) to:

Registry of Motor Vehicles

P.O. Box 55891

Boston, MA 02205-5891

  • If you have your Registration Renewal Application (RMV-2 form), and one of your renewal options is listed as “renew by phone”, use the code and telephone number provided to renew by phone.

NOTE: There is a delay in the mailing of Certificates of Registration for registrations that were renewed online, by phone, or by mail beginning on 5/22/20. Because of the pandemic, there are more customers renewing by mail and online, so the number of transactions exceeded our projected stock levels. If you renewed your registration between 5/22 and 6/30, you should receive your new registration and decal by mail by 7/15.

Reactivate your registration

Follow the steps below to reactivate a plate you have, or obtain new plates for a vehicle that was previously registered.

If your registration is in a cancelled status and you have your plate:

1. Contact your insurance agent/company and obtain a completed Registration and Title Application (RTA):

  • Include the plate type and plate number for the plate you want reactivated in “Section A. Service Type”
  • Select Register previously titled vehicle under “I want to”
  • “Section K” must contain an insurance stamp and signature
  • Policy change date or effective date cannot be more than 30 days old
  • Include your email address and phone number in “Section D9”

2. Mail the completed application to:

Registry of Motor Vehicles

P.O. Box 55895

Boston, MA 02205-5895

3. An email with a link for payment will be sent to your email address provided once the transaction is processed.
4. Once the payment is received, a new Certificate of Registration and decal will be mailed to the mailing address we have on record.

If your registration is in a cancelled status, and you DO NOT have your plate:

1. Contact your insurance agent/company and obtain a completed Registration and Title Application (RTA):

  • Include the plate type and plate number for the plate you cancelled in “Section A. Service Type”
  • Select Change plate on existing vehicle with no amendments under “I want to”
  • “Section K” must contain an insurance stamp and signature
  • Policy change date or effective date cannot be more than 30 days old
  • Include your email address and phone number in “Section D9”

2. Mail the completed application to:
Registry of Motor Vehicles
P.O. Box 55895
Boston, MA 02205-5895
3. An email with a link for payment will be sent to your email address provided once the transaction is processed.
4. Once the payment is received, a new plate, Certificate of Registration, and decal will be mailed to the mailing address we have on record.

Grace Period for Registration Transfers after Vehicle Purchase:

From June 12 until August 12, 2020 (or when the State of Emergency ends), an Executive Order issued by Governor Charlie Baker temporary extends this grace period requirement to 21 calendar days from the date you dispose of your previous vehicle to register your new one.

Inspection Stickers

The annual motor vehicle safety and emissions inspection expiration dates are being extended as follows:

  • All commercial and non-commercial vehicle inspection stickers that expire on March 31, April 30, and May 31 have been extended for 60 days. 
    • Inspection stickers that expire in March 2020 will now expire in July 2020. 
    • Inspection stickers that expire in April 2020 will now expire in July 2020.
    • Inspection stickers that expire in May 2020 will now expire in July 2020. 
  • Commercial and non-commercial vehicles that are issued a failed inspection sticker (indicated by a sticker with a red or black letter ‘R’) that is due to expire between March 2020 and May 2020, must be re-inspected by July 31.
  • Additionally, the one free re-test for these vehicles is also extended to July 31 provided the re-test is performed at the same inspection station that performed the initial inspection.
    • Regardless of the date of inspection, vehicles issued a failed inspection sticker due to a safety defect (indicated by a sticker with a red letter ‘R’) shall not be operated until appropriate repairs have been completed.
  • All motorcycle inspection stickers originally set to expire on May 31 must be inspected by July 31.

The RMV is also extending the time during which newly registered vehicles must be inspected, which is typically within 7 days of the date of registration.

  • Any newly-registered commercial and non-commercial vehicle purchased between March 1, 2020 and March 31, 2020 must be inspected by July 31.
  • Any newly-registered commercial and non-commercial vehicle purchased between April 1, 2020 and April 31, 2020 must be inspected by July 31.
  • Any newly-registered commercial and non-commercial vehicle purchased between May 1, 2020 and May 31, 2020 must be inspected by July 31.

IRP Renewals

The RMV is extending the expiration date for apportioned plates from June 30th until September 30th, 2020.

For 2020 renewals, the RMV is taking a different approach and will be staggering the IRP renewal mailing and assigning customers a specific month to renew.

  • May mailing - Fleets 288770002 to 351880001
  • June mailing - Fleets 20001 to 288760001

All applications will be processed in the order received for the assigned month.  If you do not process in your assigned month, your application will be processed in the order received after the current month. This may cause a delay in receiving your credentials.

The renewal application you receive contains all the carrier and vehicle information currently on file for your account, and includes instructions for completing the application. The renewal application is organized by fleet with a vehicle equipment list and weight table for each vehicle. You will need to complete a renewal application for each fleet in your account. The account number appear at the top of each page of the renewal application.

Note: Your Account number has changed to include the Fleet number.  For example, Account 2089 for Fleet 1 is now “20890001”; for Fleet 2, it is “20890002”.

Click here for more information.

Plate Orders and Temporary Plates

If you ordered a vanity plate or replacement plate on or after March 6th, there will be a delay in manufacturing and mailing your plate order.

If you were issued a temporary plate, an extension has been applied automatically.  If the vehicle is registered to an individual, follow the steps below to access and print your extended temporary plate and registration:

  1. Visit the RMV's Online Service Center page
  2. Select Access My Profile option
  3. Log in to your profile
  4. On the Vehicle panel of your profile, there will be 2 links - one for the Certificate of Registration with the new expiration date, and one for the temporary plate with the new expiration date
  5. Access and print each file
  6. Keep the Certificate of Registration in the vehicle
  7. Place the temporary plate in the sleeve you were provided, and affix it to the vehicle following the instructions printed on the bottom of the page

Once your plate(s) is ready, it will be mailed to your address on record with the RMV.

Suspension Hearings

Hearings will be conducted at Boston/Haymarket, Brockton, Fall River, Lawrence, *Pittsfield (Wednesdays only), Springfield, and Worcester. 

Due to the agency’s ongoing COVID-19 (coronavirus) response, suspension hearings will be conducted by telephone.

You must report to a designated RMV Service Center to begin this process. You are limited to one hearing on a particular suspension or revocation.  You have the right to be represented by counsel or by any other responsible adult, but the applicant must accompany the representative at the time of the hearing. Please note that the RMV does not provide copy service. Have your copies ready ahead of time. Original documents will NOT be returned. During your hearing, it will be discussed whether further documents are required, and how to return those to us.  For a list of Hearing locations, refer to the RMV Service Center section above.

Preparation:

On the day of your hearing:

While in line, you will be provided with an entry ticket based on a first come, first served basis. If you do not receive an entry ticket, then there may be more hearings in the afternoon, and it is your option to return to register to speak by phone with a Hearing Officer.

Application:

  • Upon arrival, you will be provided a Hearing Application form for completion.
    • Make sure your application has been fully completed and all copied documents added. The RMV does NOT provide copy service, so ensure that you have made copies for yourself.
    • The RMV representative shall collect and retain your application and documents. You then exit the building.
    • A Hearing Officer will receive the supplied application and review it in advance of your telephonic hearing. 
    • You do not need to be on RMV property for the telephonic hearing
  • Your hearing may require specific documentation. The Hearings Officer may need to spend time researching and retrieving documentation as it relates to your case. In some cases, they will need to request documentation from another agency or organization and wait for the response, which takes time.

What do I need if my case is successful?

  • If your case is successful, you may need to apply or re-apply for a driver’s license or learner’s permit at a Service Center. In both of these circumstances, you will need to prove lawful presence as part of the license reinstatement process. Please refer to the document checklist at mass.gov/id which outlines the acceptable forms of lawful presence documentation.

Wait times:

  • It is not possible to accurately predict your wait time. Some hearings take longer than others due to the many complex issues that can affect the suspension of a license or vehicle registration. 

Payment of Fees:

  • If the Hearing Officer determines that a fee is due, you have 3 options to make payment:
    1. Pay the fee online at Mass.Gov/RMV.
    2. Call the Contact Center at 857-368-8000 to provide payment over the phone.
    3. Visit an RMV Service Center for counter service.

National Safety Council (NSC) Class Requirement Information

  • National Safety Council (NSC) in-person classes have all transitioned to online courses through Monday, September 7, 2020.
  • An online course completion will count as your in-person class requirement.
  • The most common course requirement is now available online in both English and Spanish.
  • Please watch for communication directly from NSC about registration and completing the course; please inform NSC if you prefer to be included in a future in-person class.
  • For anyone with a deadline to complete an NSC course between March 1, 2020 and April 30, 2020 the RMV has provided an additional 90 days to complete the NSC requirement.
  • You may check your license status by accessing your profile at Mass.Gov/RMV to determine your current license status.  
  • The National Safety Council website contains additional information on how to register for the online course.

Professional Credentials

Professional credentials for the following that have expired or are expiring, between March 1st and June 30th, will be extended for 90 days after the State of Emergency is lifted. These credentials are considered “active” as the RMV implements the system changes to reflect that status in the near future.

  • School Bus Certificate
  • School Pupil (7D) License
  • Station Inspector License
  • Driving School Instructor License
  • Station Inspection License
  • Driving School License

Other RMV Services

The following requests will be processed via mail only:

  • Disability parking placards/plate (including disabled veterans plates)
  • Tinted glass waivers
  • CDL medical waivers 
  • All Section 5 transactions

Extension Chart

Credential

Current Expiration Date (on credential)

New Expiration Date

 

Class D, M, and DM Licenses

Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs)

Mass ID Cards

March 2020

April 2020

May 2020

June 2020

July 2020

August 2020

September 2020

September 2020

September 2020

October 2020

November 2020

December 2020

 

Class D, M, and DM Permits

Commercial Learner’s Permits (CLPs)

March 2020

April 2020

May 2020

June 2020

July 2020

August 2020

December 2020

December 2020

December 2020

December 2020

December 2020

December 2020

 

CDL Medical Certificates

March 2020

April 2020

May 2020

June 2020

July 2020

August 2020

June 30, 2020

June 30, 2020

June 30, 2020

September 30, 2020

September 30, 2020

September 30, 2020

 

Passenger Plate Registrations

March 2020

April 2020

May 2020

June 2020

July 31, 2020

July 31, 2020

July 31, 2020

July 31, 2020

 

School Bus, School Pupil, and Bus Registrations

 

June 2020

July 31, 2020

 

Commercial and Non-Commercial Inspection Stickers

March 2020

April 2020

May 2020

July 31, 2020

July 31, 2020

July 31, 2020

 

All Motorcycle Inspection Stickers

May 2020

July 31, 2020

 

School Bus Certificates

School Pupil Transport Licenses (7D)

Inspector Licenses

Inspection Station Licenses

Driving Instructor Licenses

Driving School Licenses

March 2020

April 2020

May 2020

June 2020

90 days after State of Emergency is lifted

 

Contact

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