Registry News – October 30, 2019
Registry News – October 30, 2019 How to Prepare for a Massachusetts Salvage Inspection Once a salvage-titled vehicle has been repaired to a safe operating condition, it must pass a vehicle salvage inspection before the vehicle can be registered and legally driven. And before a salvage inspection appointment can be made, customers must obtain…
ATLAS R2 Training Videos for Insurance
ATLAS R2 Training Videos for Insurance ATLAS R2 will launch on November 12, 2019 and all vehicle services will be added. The Registry of Motor Vehicles has sent notice to all their company partners on how to navigate the ATLAS system, including specific training videos for insurance carriers and agents. You may want to take…
MA-Registered Trailers May Need a Pseudo VIN
MA-Registered Trailers May Need a Pseudo VIN As of November 12, 2019, the MA RMV requires commercially used trailers that are subject to annual inspections to have a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). If such a trailer does NOT have a VIN, it will have a “Pseudo VIN” assigned by the RMV, which will be printed…
ATLAS R2 Update: No RMV System Access Veterans Day Weekend!
ATLAS R2 Update: No RMV System Access Veterans Day Weekend! The MA RMV reports that the transition to ATLAS Release 2 (R2) and concurrent shutdown of the ALARS system is on track for its November 12, 2019 launch date. However, in order to complete the system conversion, there will be NO RMV system access from 6:00…
Licenses for Customers with “A” or “G” Visas
Licenses for Customers with “A” or “G” Visas Individuals with “A” or “G” visas typically have diplomatic or consular immunity. If they do have immunity, they are not eligible to obtain a license from the Massachusetts RMV; they can only obtain one from the U.S. Department of State.
Watch These RMV ATLAS R2 Training Webinars!
Watch These RMV ATLAS R2 Training Webinars! Kathy Cormier, MAIA’s Member Relations Advocate and all-around Registry guru, has secured permission from the MA RMV to share their ATLAS Release 2 training webinars with MAIA members! A lot of changes are coming down “The Pike” when ATLAS R2 launches on November 12th. These recordings from the…
Preview of New RMV Forms for ATLAS Release 2
Preview of New RMV Forms for ATLAS Release 2 The much-anticipated Release 2 of the RMV ATLAS system will take effect on November 12, 2019. As you may recall, ATLAS Release 1 rolled out in March 2018 and included all the license services. ATLAS Release 2 will be bringing over all the registrations, titles, owner…
Changes Coming for Vehicle Valuation & MSRP Data Access via RMV
Changes Coming for Vehicle Valuation & MSRP Data Access via RMV The RMV’s current operational system (ALARS) provides insurance companies and agents access to Vehicle Valuation and Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) data from the National Dealers Association (NADA) via a screen and guest function. However, when the RMV completes its transition to ATLAS Release…
Applications Open for New Striped Bass License Plates
Applications Open for New Striped Bass License Plates The Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) and MA Environmental Trust (MET) are collecting applications for the new Striped Bass Conservation specialty passenger plate. Once they receive enough orders (at least 750), they’ll deliver the orders to the Registry of Motor Vehicles and the plates will be printed.…
Reckless Driving Violation Surcharge Points Increase
Reckless Driving Violation Surcharge Points Increase MAIA and all Carriers have received the following notice from the Merit Rating Bureau regarding increases to the surcharge points applied to reckless driving violations under two ATLAS violation codes. The changes may have implications for your insureds who have these violations on their record.
Lawful Presence – Valid Length of Stay
Lawful Presence – Valid Length of Stay To be eligible to obtain a driver’s license or ID card, a customer who is a non-U.S. citizen must have been granted lawful presence in the U.S. for at least 12 months (a valid length of stay).
MAIA Registry Procedures Manual July 2019 Updates
MAIA Registry Procedures Manual July 2019 Updates As many of you know, MAIA produces a wonderful resource to help agencies navigate the complex world of the MA RMV: The Registry Procedures Manual. Available by subscription and updated twice a year, the comprehensive digital manual puts the ever-changing rules, regulations, and forms from the MA RMV…
Proof of Citizenship/Lawful Presence and Name is not an Exact Match
Proof of Citizenship/Lawful Presence and Name is not an Exact Match If a customer applying for a REAL ID presents a document for Proof of Social Security Number (SSN) with a name that does not exactly match the name on the document presented as Proof of Lawful Presence, the SSN document can be accepted in…
Reminder: No License Renewals/Reinstatements after Two Years Without Active License
Reminder: No License Renewals/Reinstatements after Two Years Without Active License Class D & M driver’s licenses cannot be renewed or reinstated after a customer has been without an active license for two years or more for any reason. This could be because the license expired, was suspended/revoked, or was surrendered.
Proof of Residency Documents from the Same Source
Proof of Residency Documents from the Same Source To apply for a REAL ID drivers’ license or ID card, a customer must present two documents to prove Massachusetts residency. There has been some confusion on whether these two documents can be from the same source. This training update serves as a clarification on the RMV’s…
New Online Inspection Station Complaint Form
New Online Inspection Station Complaint Form A new online Inspection Station Complaint Form (www.mass.gov/forms/inspection-station-complaint-form) has been created. Customers can use this form to electronically submit a complaint about an inspection station. It can be accessed from both the RMV website (www.mass.gov/rmv) and the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) website (www.mass.gov/dep). The online form was…
Automatic Extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
Automatic Extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) The federal government has advised the RMV that individuals from several countries have had their lawful presence in the United States automatically extended because they were given temporary protected status (TPS). Due to the nature of the extension, a new lawful presence document, such as a new…
Expanded Salvage Title Processing Locations
Expanded Salvage Title Processing Locations If an owner or insurance company wants to keep a vehicle that has been declared a total loss, it’s necessary to obtain a salvage title. Beginning April 22, salvage title applications will be processed in an expanded number of RMV Service Centers. In addition to Quincy RMV Headquarters and the…
“Non-Domicile” CDLs
“Non-Domicile” CDLs “Non-Domicile” customers are residents of foreign countries who have temporary lawful presence in the United States. Beginning April 25th, “Non-Domicile” Massachusetts Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs) can be issued to customers with temporary lawful presence from most foreign countries (except for Canada or Mexico). “Non-Domicile” customers will need to meet the same identification…
ATLAS Focus Group April 2019 Update
ATLAS Focus Group April 2019 Update Big changes are afoot at the MA Registry of Motor Vehicles. In November 2019, Release 2 of the ATLAS system will go live, and new Registration and Title form will be replacing the current RMV-1 and RMV-3. And you’ll be glad to know that agents’ interests are being well…
Summary of Changes in the New MA Driver’s Manual
Summary of Changes in the New MA Driver’s Manual The English version of the new (03/2019) MA Driver’s Manual is now in the RMV warehouse and will soon be distributed to all RMV Service Centers, and will also be available on the RMV website (www.mass.gov/rmv). The new version has a purple cover and features an…
Leominster AAA Office & RMV Services Move to New Location
Leominster AAA Office & RMV Services Move to New Location
Drivers Can Now Use Specialized Features on Road Tests
Drivers Can Now Use Specialized Features on Road Tests
Policy on Outdated Residency Documents at Return Visit
Policy on Outdated Residency Documents at Return Visit If a customer applying for a REAL ID or Standard credential presents valid proof-of-residency documents upon their initial visit to a Service Center or AAA location, the residency requirement has been met for the duration of the open issuance in the system. If the customer cannot finish…
RMV Issues New Registration Form for Motorized Bicycles (Mopeds)
RMV Issues New Registration Form for Motorized Bicycles (Mopeds)
NEW Massachusetts License and ID Issuance Number Format Changes Effective 11/13/2018
NEW Massachusetts License and ID Issuance Number Format Changes Effective 11/13/2018
Registry News: Magnetic Signs Are Acceptable on Commercial Vehicles
Registry News: Magnetic Signs Are Acceptable on Commercial Vehicles
Registry News: New Danvers RMV Service Center Opens 10/29/18
Registry News: New Danvers RMV Service Center Opens 10/29/18
Registry News: Revised Law Affects Foreign Driver’s Licenses in MA
Registry News: Revised Law Affects Foreign Driver’s Licenses in MA As of July 2018, licensed drivers from any foreign country may operate a motor vehicle in Massachusetts, as long as they meet the requirements.
Registry News: New October Passenger Plate Mask
Registry News: New October Passenger Plate Mask Effective November 2018, a new plate mask will be used for October passenger plates. The new plate mask will consist of two numbers, followed by one letter, followed by three numbers. The last number will be 0 (zero). The letters I, O, Q, and U will NOT be used. …
RMV: New Guidelines for Fleet Registration Renewals
RMV: New Guidelines for Fleet Registration Renewals The end of the year is peak season for registration renewals, and the Mass. Registry has released important new guidelines to help ensure that your Fleet Renewal transactions will be processed on time. The guidelines include detailed submission procedures, mailing and drop-off times, and reminders for making sure…
Dual-Rear-Wheel Pickup Trucks May Not Need Commercial Plates
Dual-Rear-Wheel Pickup Trucks May Not Need Commercial Plates A change in the law has eliminated the requirement that all vehicles with five or more wheels on the ground have commercial plates. This is good news for the customer who owns a pickup truck with dual rear wheels strictly for personal use — they can now get passenger plates…
New Hours of Service at Quincy RMV Headquarters
New Hours of Service at Quincy RMV Headquarters Effective Monday, October 15, 2018, the business hours at the Quincy RMV Headquarters will change as follows: Service Counter: Open Monday – Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Previously open until 5:00 p.m.) IRP Transactions: Available until 3:00 p.m. (Previously available until 4:00 p.m.)