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RMV - COVID-19 Information

As COVID restrictions are lifted, the RMV continues to make adjustments to better serve and safely meet the needs of our customers.

Beginning May 29, 2021, customers who are fully vaccinated are allowed to go without face coverings in RMV offices. customers NOT yet fully vaccinated are required to wear face coverings in RMV offices.

Refer to the sections below for more information.

 

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RMV Service Centers and AAA Locations

RMV Service Centers

Reservations are required for in person transactions that cannot be completed online, by phone, or by mail. More than 40 transactions can be completed using our online service center. 

If you need to complete an in-person transaction, you are required to 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. 

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.

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.

Senior Hours/Days for License/ID Renewal

Massachusetts law requires drivers who are 75 years of age or older to renew in person. The RMV has dedicated Wednesdays at certain RMV Service Centers  to anyone 65 years of age or older to renew with an appointment.

Below are the options to make an appointment: 

  • If you are a AAA member, you may make a reservation now to renew your driver’s license/ID at a AAA location. Schedule your visit on the AAA appointment page.
    • Please note that AAA does not have dedicated Senior hours/days.
  • If you are not a AAA member, visit the RMV home page to make a reservation to renew at an RMV Service Center. Select the Seniors License Renewal option on the Make/Cancel a Reservation transaction

Beginning May 29, 2021, customers who are fully vaccinated are allowed to go without face coverings in RMV offices. customers NOT yet fully vaccinated are required to wear face coverings in RMV offices.

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 

Registration Drop Off Centers are 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 4 business days. A complete list of drop off center locations is available.  

Note: If it has been more than 4 days since you dropped off your paperwork, please email the RMV at RMVRegDropOff@state.ma.us.

AAA Locations

AAA members must make an online reservation. Appointments can be made up to two weeks in advance. Visit the AAA website to schedule an appointment.

Commercial Drivers

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

 

REAL ID

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has extended the REAL ID full enforcement date from October 1, 2021 to May 3, 2023, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Beginning May 3, 2023, every air traveler 18 years of age and older will need a REAL ID compliant driver’s license or identification card, or another TSA-acceptable form of identification, for domestic air travel and to enter certain federal facilities. For the complete list of required documentation click here.

Road Tests and Driving School Guidance

You can visit the Online Service Center to book an appointment. 

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. All occupants in the vehicle during the road test are required to wear a face covering regardless of vaccination status. This includes the road test examiner, the applicant and the sponsor.

Effective June 15th, sponsors will once again be required in vehicles during road tests. Masks must continue to be worn by everyone in the vehicle.

For more information on vehicle requirements and any exceptions to the policy, click here.

The RMV also recommends you watch these videos to prepare for your road test, and continue to check this page or monitor your email and mail for further updates.

Driving Schools

In-Car Observation Hours for Junior Operators:

Effective May 29th, the requirement for junior operators to complete 6 hours observing another student driver will revert back to driving schools and must be completed as part of the driver’s education curriculum.  This will apply to junior operators who obtain a permit on or after May 29th.

Suspension Hearings

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

Suspension hearings are being conducted by telephone. Please click here for more information.

Driver Retraining and National Safety Council (NSC) Class Requirements

 

Processing Times

Other RMV Services

As COVID restrictions are lifted, there may be delays in the processing of certain transactions

Please note, due to mailing delays with the U.S Postal Service, it is taking longer than usual for customers to receive their credentials in the mail.

Transaction/Credential

Approximate Processing Time

Who do I contact if it’s been longer than timeframe stated?

Get an appointment for a road test

 60 days

Appointments are opened throughout the day so if you cannot find a time slot, please try again later.

Receive my permanent plates in mail (was issued a temporary plate)

 

Receive my Replacement plates in mail

 20 - 22 business days

 

 

Up to 12 Weeks

857- 368-8031

Reminder: visit Mass.Gov/RMV’s Online Service Center to extend your temporary plate if you do not receive the physical plate(s) by the 20th day.

Receive my registration/plates dropped off at an RMV Drop Off Center

At least 4 business days

Email us at RMVRegDropOff@dot.state.ma.us

Receive duplicate title (no lien)

  1. Mail
  2. Online
  1. 20 – 22 business days
  2. 7 - 10 business days

857-368-8000

 

 

Receive an Amended Title-Lien  

  1. Mail
  2. ELT
  1. 15-22 business days
  2. 1 business day
 857-368-8000

Receive renewed registration

  1. Mail
  2. Online
  1. 14 business days
  2. 7 - 10 business days

857-368-8000

Receive duplicate registration

  1. By phone
  2. Online

7 - 10 business days

857-368-8000

Receive a response to my online DL/ID renewal issue

7 – 10 business days

857 368 8110

Renew my professional credential:

  1. Professional Driving Instructor or School License
  2. Inspector License or Inspection Station License
  3. School Pupil or School Bus Driver Certificate

 

  1. 7 – 10 business days
  2. 3 - 5 business days
  3. 3 - 5  business days

 

1. 857 368 8110

2. 857-368-7310

3. 857-368-7310

 

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