RMV - COVID-19 Information

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 for more information.

 

RMV Service Centers and AAA Locations

RMV Service Centers

Effective Friday, March 27^th, the RMV will be enforcing a strict no walk-in policy at its Service Centers open to the general public. The only transactions that will be processed at service centers are those that the RMV considers ‘essential’.

Examples of “essential” transactions include:

• Obtaining a commercial driver’s license or commercial learner’s permit to assist with the supply chain during the State of Emergency declaration
• All first-time registrations (new plates and transfer plates) and registration reactivations
• Transferring your license or registration from another state for residency requirements

Examples of “non-essential” transactions include:

• Obtaining a REAL ID, unless part of a new Mass ID issuance or out of state transfer of a driver’s license/ID
• Any transaction that can be completed online or by mail

If you need to complete an 'essential' 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 system will only show and allow for appointments to be made 7 business days in advance. If there are no appointments available, please check back tomorrow morning as new slots become available each day.

Please note. If you arrive for a reservation and it is unclear if your transaction supports an “essential service” listed in Governor Baker’s Executive Order, RMV Management reserves the right to refuse to process the transaction.

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. 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. All customers are asked to not bring multiple individuals with them to assist with “social-distancing.”

The Milford and Wilmington RMV Service Center’s will remain open to exclusively perform commercial transactions for commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) and permits (CLPs), and CDL road tests continue to be administered. The Springfield RMV is also open for commercial driver and permit transactions

Only the following 10 RMV centers will be open until further notice:

• Boston/Haymarket
• Brockton
• Fall River
• Lawrence
• Pittsfield*
• Plymouth
• Springfield
• Worcester
• Milford - Commercial Driver's License/Permit ONLY
• Wilmington - Commercial Driver's License/Permit ONLY

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.

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.  

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

The RMV is working on a solution to offer online class D and M permit exams starting mid-June. Until then, the RMV is not offering Class D or M knowledge exams. Check back often as more information will become available over the next few weeks.

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. 

Commercial Drivers

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

 

REAL ID Updates

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

Effective March 25^th and until further notice, the RMV is suspending the issuance of new REAL IDs unless it is part of a first time issuance, out of state conversion, or other limited circumstance. 

Road Tests

Class D and M road tests are cancelled until further notice. 

CDL road tests are still being administered at this time. 

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 will be 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. Additional decal stock is expected by mid-June and the registrations will be processed once the stock is received.

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.

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 June 30.

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

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), 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:

• Bring all necessary documents with you to your hearing. Check what documentation you'll need for your hearing, as it varies depending on the type of suspension.
• Arrive as early as possible and allow extra time
• Chemical test refusal hearings are only held at the Boston/Haymarket RMV.

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 10 and June 30, 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	June 30, 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