CDL DACH Checks and Downgrades

November 18, 2024 As part of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) Drug and Alcohol Testing Program, the FMCSA manages a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse (DACH). The Clearinghouse is a database that contains information about drug and alcohol violations committed by Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP)/CDL operators. These drug and alcohol…

CDL Webinar – Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse Implementation Webinar Follow Up

November 18, 2024 The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) held a webinar on Wednesday, November 13, 2024 to review the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse (DACH) before implementing the final rule on Monday, November 18, 2024.  The final rule establishes requirements for State Driver Licensing Agencies (SDLAs) to access and use information from the Clearinghouse indicating…

Disabled Veteran Fee Exemptions – HERO Act

November 12, 2024 Effective immediately, the Massachusetts HERO Act exempts disabled veterans from paying the following RMV fees: Registration fees for any/all vehicle registration(s), with exceptions. Driver’s license transaction fees (for all license classes), with exceptions. Read the full update here. Questions? Contact Kathy Cormier at 508-634-7353 or via email at [email protected]

CDL Self-Certification Downgrades

November 5, 2024 Effective November 6, 2024, when a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) is downgraded because the driver’s CDL Self-Certification expired, the CDL will no longer be cancelled, and a Class D license will not be issued to the customer. Instead, the customer can operate a passenger vehicle with their physical CDL driver’s license while their…

State Electric Vehicle Plates

November 4, 2024 State Electric Vehicle (SE) plates are state plates that are now available for electric vehicles owned by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. SE plates do not expire. Read the full update here. Questions? Contact Kathy Cormier at 508-634-7353 or via email at [email protected]

AAA Fairhaven Location Temporarily Closing

November 4, 2024 The AAA Fairhaven location is temporarily closing on November 1 for remodeling. Construction is scheduled to be completed by November 19, but is subject to change. Appointments will not be available again until there is a confirmed reopening date. Read the full update here. Questions? Contact Kathy Cormier at 508-634-7353 or via…

New Mass.Gov/REALID Webpage

November 4, 2024 The RMV has published a new action-oriented customer focused REAL ID webpage: Mass.Gov/REALID. This page, which is already live, will help simplify the steps customers have to complete to obtain a REAL ID, such as scheduling an appointment and preparing their documents. It features a new tagline that we will launch soon…

Registry Procedures Manual Update!

November 4, 2024 This online “flipbook” manual is a MUST for every agent who writes MA automobile insurance and deals with the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles! The Registry Procedures Manual (RPM) allows subscribers to utilize keyword searches to find what they need and is automatically updated regularly throughout the year. Check out what’s new HERE.…

RMV Website Search Feature

October 28, 2024 The “Search Mass.gov” box at the top of Mass.Gov/RMV has been improved to allow for better usability and accessibility. A new “scoped search” feature has been added to allow for searching only through the RMV site when selected. The search box that was previously located under the green Massachusetts RMV banner and…

Disabled Veteran Excise Tax Exemption Documentation Change

October 22, 2024 Disabled veterans do not need to pay excise tax for one passenger vehicle or pick-up truck. The vehicle must be owned by the veteran and be used for non-commercial purposes. View the full update here. Questions? Contact Kathy Cormier at 508-634-7353 or via email at [email protected].

Plate Issuance in November 2024 Through January 2025

October 7, 2024 A large number of registrations expire and need to be renewed in the final months of the year. In an effort to more evenly balance out registration renewals per month, February plates (ending in 2) will be issued in November, December, and January. View the full update and fee schedule here. Questions?…

Issuance of Free Replacement Documents

October 7, 2024 When a customer is issued a temporary credential or applies for an online duplicate or renewal registration, the license, ID card, or registration should arrive in the mail within 10 to 14 business days. Effective October 7, if the card or registration does not arrive in the mail between 30-60 days after…

Updated Company Auto Filings – September 2024

September 26, 2024 MAIA periodically visits the Division of Insurance to collect the latest information about each company’s private passenger automobile insurance rules, rates, and forms filings. Recent changes and updates are presented here. Questions? Contact Kathy Cormier at 508-634-7353 or via email at [email protected].

State-to-State Verification Cancels Multi-State Credentials

September 9, 2024 The New York Department of Motor Vehicles now checks other participating states to prevent anyone from having active credentials in two states. If you have two driver’s licenses or a license in one state and an ID Card in another, one will be canceled, and you may lose the ability to legally…

RTA Acceptance Requirements

August 26, 2024 To ensure that Registration and Title Applications (RTAs) are completed properly and that vehicles are lawfully registered and titled, the RMV and its business partners are responsible for registration and title transaction processing terms. View the full update here. Questions? Contact Kathy Cormier at 508-634-7353 or via email at [email protected].

Email Addresses and Phone Numbers Not Provided to the Public

August 26, 2024 Customer email address and phone number information collected by the RMV during transactions will NOT be provided to the public. This information will only be used by the RMV or shared with other government agencies with a legitimate need. The RMV website and all online transactions have been updated to include a statement…

Updated Company Auto Filings – July 2024

July 22, 2024 MAIA periodically visits the Division of Insurance to collect the latest information about each company’s private passenger automobile insurance rules, rates, and forms filings. Recent changes and updates are presented here. Questions? Contact Kathy Cormier at 508-634-7353 or via email at [email protected].

Mini Kei Trucks or Vans Cannot Be Registered by the RMV

July 8, 2024 Mini trucks and vans, or Kei trucks and vans, are small versions of trucks and vans that are typically imported from abroad and are more than 25 years old. The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) does not endorse the use of these vehicles on public ways because they do not…

Fee Change for Bulk Purchase of Driver’s Manuals

July 8, 2024 Effective July 8, due to an increased price to publish the redesigned Driver’s Manual, the RMV will no longer offer a bulk rate discount to business partners. Driver’s Manuals will be available in bulk at $5 per manual. The fee for a case of 50 Class D Manuals will be $250. The fee for…

Registry Procedures Manual Update!

July 8, 2024 This online “flipbook” manual is a MUST for every agent who writes MA automobile insurance and deals with the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles! The Registry Procedures Manual (RPM) allows subscribers to utilize keyword searches to find what they need and is automatically updated regularly throughout the year. Check out what’s new HERE.…

CVR Nationwide Intermediate Shutdown of EVR Services

June 28, 2024 We have received notice from the Registry that CVR, a major provider of the EVR program, will be having a nationwide intermediate shutdown of its EVR services. All dealers and agents currently on the CVR EVR program will be bringing their work to B2B locations across the state, which will slow down…

Enforcement Services Live Chat Website Feature

June 24, 2024 Effective June 20, a new live chat feature will be piloted on the new Enforcement Services Unit (ESU) document portal on the RMV website. This document portal can be accessed through a link provided to ESU customers and allows them to upload documents to prove their identity. Customers can use the new live…

CDL Webinar for Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse

June 24, 2024 The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles is hosting a webinar on Wednesday, June 26, 2024, and Tuesday, July 9, 2024, both starting at 11:00 a.m. to discuss the implementation of the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse and to explain what action State Driver Licensing Agencies (SDLAs) are required to take. (DACH) final rule. Both webinars will…

2024 Low Plate Lottery

June 17, 2024 The 2024 RMV Low Plate Lottery begins on Monday, June 17, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. Customers can enter the plate lottery online at Mass.Gov/myRMV. The lottery is online submission only; there is no paper application available. The deadline to enter the lottery is Friday, August 16, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. This year, there are…

Updated Company Auto Filings – June 2024

June 10, 2024 MAIA periodically visits the Division of Insurance to collect the latest information about each company’s private passenger automobile insurance rules, rates, and forms filings. Recent changes and updates are presented here. Questions? Contact Kathy Cormier at 508-634-7353 or via email at [email protected].

DocuSigned RTA Forms

May 28, 2024 GEICO recently began utilizing DocuSign to electronically stamp the Registration and Title Application (RTA). These stamps have a partial frame around them with the letters “DS” at the top. DocuSign stamps are acceptable and comply with our stamp acceptance specifications. Read the full update here. Questions? Contact Kathy Cormier at 508-634-7353 or via…

AAA North Andover Road Tests

April 29, 2024 AAA will soon end road test services at its North Andover location. May 3rd is the last day tests will be conducted. The road test public schedule has been adjusted, and Mass.Gov/RMV will be updated to reflect this change in availability. Customers are currently unable to book road tests at the AAA North Andover…

AAA Greenfield Closing

April 23, 2024 Effective 5:00 pm on April 26, the AAA Greenfield location will close. After that date, it will be permanently closed, and no RMV transactions will be processed. All other AAA locations that process RMV transactions will continue to do so. The RMV and AAA websites will be updated. Read the full update here.…

RMV Business Partner Website

April 8, 2024 Effective immediately, the RMV Business Partner Communication website that resided on massrmv.com has been redirected to Mass.Gov/RMV. The new website URL is https://www.mass.gov/rmv-business-partners. The website pages have been updated and moved to a central location which provides improved access. Read the full update here. Questions? Contact Kathy Cormier at 508-634-7353 or via email at [email protected].

Updated Company Auto Filings – March 2024

March 27, 2024 MAIA periodically visits the Division of Insurance to collect the latest information about each company’s private passenger automobile insurance rules, rates, and forms filings. Recent changes and updates are presented here. Questions? Contact Kathy Cormier at 508-634-7353 or via email at [email protected].

DOR’s Child Support Services Division

March 3, 2024 Effective April 1, the Department of Revenue (DOR) will change the name of its Child Support Enforcement Division to the Child Support Services Division. ATLAS, RMV webpages, and all RMV letters that reference child support requirements will be updated to reflect the new name this week. The next version of the Driver’s Manual…

Private Passenger Residual Market Modifications to Manual Rules, Amendments to Rule 27.

Effective May 1, 2024, the Private Passenger Residual Market Modifications to Manual Rules have been approved.  SUVs are included in section B with pick-ups and vans now have the limitation on delivery that is only “incidental to the insured’s business of installing, maintaining or repairing furnishings or equipment” and they also increased the GVWR from…

Lease Buyout Dealer Advisory

March 3, 2024 The RMV has received questions from dealerships about the process of purchasing a vehicle at the conclusion of a lease agreement, commonly known as a lease buyout. The questions are about instances where the buyout has taken an extended amount of time (more than 20 business days) and the purchaser/lessee had to rent…

Haitian Creole Driver’s Manual

March 3, 2024 A Haitian Creole version of the July 2023 Passenger (Class D) Driver’s Manual has been printed and will soon be distributed to all RMV Service Centers. It will also be available to order on the RMV website (Mass.Gov/myRMV) on March 28. The Haitian Creole Driver’s Manual has the same design as the English,…

Road Test Location Closures

February 27, 2024 Effective March 1, 2024, at the close of business, the following Class D Road Test locations will no longer be available for scheduling: Avon (Central Mass Safety Council Road Test Site) Framingham (Central Mass Safety Council Road Test Site) Holyoke (Department of Conservation and Recreation Fitzpatrick Arena Skating Rink) West Boylston (Central…

Search by Name added to Police Crash Report Request Transaction

February 26, 2024 A standard or certified copy of a motor vehicle police crash report can be requested by an Individual involved in the crash or a Permitted User under the Federal Driver Privacy Protection Act (DPPA). The online transaction to request a copy of a police crash report has been amended to include fields…

Vermont Title Changes – Revised

February 20, 2024 On January 1, 2024, Vermont changed its title law to title all vehicles and trailers regardless of age. This was described in the training update titled “Rhode Island and Vermont Title Changes,” dated January 10. However, due to a statute change, Vermont only has rescinded their change and has reverted to the previous title…

Updated Company Auto Filings – February 2024

February 12, 2024 MAIA periodically visits the Division of Insurance to collect the latest information about each company’s private passenger automobile insurance rules, rates, and forms filings. Recent changes and updates are presented here. Questions? Contact Kathy Cormier at 508-634-7353 or via email at [email protected].

Revised Motor Vehicle Crash Operator Report

February 5, 2024 The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Motor Vehicle Crash Operator Report (form number CRASH102) has been revised. The areas in Section A where customers enter details of the route/roadway/address where a crash occurred have been renumbered to A6 and A7 to make this section, and the instructions on the first page, clearer. The revised version…

Registry Procedures Manual Update!

January 29, 2024 This online “flipbook” manual is a MUST for every agent who writes MA automobile insurance and deals with the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles! The Registry Procedures Manual (RPM) allows subscribers to utilize keyword searches to find what they need and is automatically updated regularly throughout the year. Check out what’s new HERE.…