New “From” Address for RMV System-Generated Emails

New “From” Address for RMV System-Generated Emails As part of an ATLAS cloud migration to Fast Hosting Services (FHS), the email address for RMV system-generated emails will change. Most emails sent from ATLAS to customers, such as appointment reminders, authentication codes, and myRMV confirmation emails, will come from: [email protected] This is a “Do Not Reply”…

Address on Proof-of-Residency Documentation

Address on Proof-of-Residency Documentation The RMV has issued an update to clarify their policy about addresses on proof-of-Massachusetts-residency documents. A PO Box by itself is unacceptable. When a PO Box is provided, a residential/street address must be displayed on both the application and proof-of-residency document, in addition to the mailing address. Other requirements also apply. If…

New Training Requirements for Entry-Level Commercial Drivers

New Training Requirements for Entry-Level Commercial Drivers The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is instituting an Entry-Level Drivers Training (ELDT) rule for drivers obtaining a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) or certain endorsements for the first time. Effective February 7, 2022, individuals seeking a commercial driver license in the State of Massachusetts will be required…

22 B2B Locations & New Drop-Off & Pick-Up Hours – Spread the Word!

22 B2B Locations & New Drop-Off & Pick-Up Hours – Spread the Word! It’s been a bumpy ride lately for agents and runners, but the RMV is working hard to improve flexibility and convenience for our members. B2B locations were cut back to six due to COVID, and agents & runners understandably miffed at having…

Service Center Webinar Materials & New B2B Cover Sheet Now Available Online

Service Center Webinar Materials & New B2B Cover Sheet Now Available Online The RMV has posted the presentation slides, Q&A document, and additional supporting material from the Insurance Industry Webinar on Service Center Changes held on September 8, 2021. There is also a link to the revised B2B Cover Sheet, which must now be used…

New Regs Affecting Commercial Plates, Registrations, Licenses, Permits, Etc.

New Regs Affecting Commercial Plates, Registrations, Licenses, Permits, Etc. Big pickup trucks are pretty popular these days. Our members have told us that clients often complain about having to register their truck as a commercial vehicle, even though it’s strictly for personal use. They will be happy to hear that, effective October 1, 2021, the…

New B2B Drop-Offs & Pick-Up… Please Don’t All Go at Once!

New B2B Drop-Offs & Pick-Up… Please Don’t All Go at Once! MAIA has been getting calls about the new B2B drop-off (10:00 to 2:00) and next day pick-up times (2:00 to 5:00). It seems that many runners are waiting until 1:45 to drop off, then hanging around until 2:00 to pick up the prior day’s…

School Bus School Pupil Plates Issued at Greenfield RMV Service Center

School Bus School Pupil Plates Issued at Greenfield RMV Service Center Effective immediately, school bus plates and school pupil plates are available for initial issuance at the Greenfield RMV Service Center. School bus plates and school pupil plates will only be available in the following six RMV service centers for initial issuance: Braintree Greenfield Haverhill Milford…

Return of B2B & Other RMV Service Center Changes Beginning 9/20

Return of B2B & Other RMV Service Center Changes Beginning 9/20 MAIA works closely with the RMV to make sure our members’ concerns are heard and addressed, and these upcoming agent-friendly changes to Service Center operations are proof that they’re listening!  We are pleased to confirm that as of September 20th, many RMV Service Centers…

FMCSA Extends CDL Medical Certificates

FMCSA Extends CDL Medical Certificates The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has issued an additional waiver for CDL Medical Certificates (DOT Medical Cards). Certificates that expire between June 1, 2021 and November 29, 2021 will expire on November 30, 2021. The RMV has updated customer records in ATLAS. Affected customers will receive an email…

Virtual Suspension Hearing Appointments

Virtual Suspension Hearing Appointments The RMV has implemented a new process in which customers can schedule a virtual suspension hearing. To do this, customers can visit the Online Service Center and select “Make or Cancel a Hearing Reservation” under the “Additional Services” section. Supporting documentation can be uploaded during the transaction. The virtual hearings can be scheduled…

Free RMV Webinar About Agent-Friendly Changes

Free RMV Webinar About Agent-Friendly Changes The RMV is making changes to service center operations that will benefit agents, and you can learn all about at their FREE webinar on September 8th at 2 PM! The upcoming changes, which will become effective on the 20th of this month, include eliminating the Registration Drop Off Center model and returning…

Revised Application for Disabled Parking Placard/Plate

Revised Application for Disabled Parking Placard/Plate The RMV has revised the Application for Disabled Parking Placard/Plate (Form MAB100). Revisions include a new field in Section A for customers to enter their gender, and new text in Section A to indicate that all fields must be completed. The revised form has a date of 0821 in…

ATLAS Documents Updated with Registrar Ogilvie’s Name

ATLAS Documents Updated with Registrar Ogilvie’s Name As of August 13th, newly appointed RMV Registrar Colleen Ogilvie’s name and signature are displayed on all documents that are system-generated through ATLAS. The RMV will provide further updates regarding new cards and Registrar Stamp distribution when they become available. Revised documents include: Temporary Licenses/IDs Learner’s Permits Registration…

RMV & FMCSA Coming to MAIA’s Big Event!

RMV & FMCSA Coming to MAIA’s Big Event! Saturday, October 30th, at the Big Event is your chance to get up to speed on road-related topics! Registrar Ogilvie will be presenting a Registry Update and a Q&A. In addition, you can hear from Matthew Poirier, Highway Safety Specialist for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration…

U.S. Passport Numbers Beginning with a Letter

The U.S. Department of State began issuing “next generation” U.S. passports in March 2021. The newly issued passports use a numbering system that begins with an upper-case letter (A, X, Y, or Z, depending on the passport type), followed by eight numbers. Download the August 6, 2021, RMV Training Update for full details: Passport Numbers…

RMV Low Number Plate Lottery Kicks-off!

RMV Low Number Plate Lottery Kicks-off! The MA RMV is now accepting online applications for the 2021 Low Number Plate Lottery. Applicants must apply by August 27. Winners will be notified after the virtual drawing September 8. There is no fee to apply. The complete list of plates, including eligibility and rules, can be found HERE.

Easthampton, Lowell & Southbridge Open for ALL Transactions on 8/2

Easthampton, Lowell & Southbridge Open for ALL Transactions on 8/2 On Monday, August 2, the Easthampton, Lowell, and Southbridge RMV Service Centers will open for appointments for all transaction types. They will all have hours of 9am-5pm. Lowell will also remain a fulfillment center. For a full list of open service centers, hours, and transactions:…

RMV eServices Administrators – New Functionality

RMV eServices Administrators – New Functionality As of July 19, 2021, eServices Administrators only will have the ability to reset a user’s web logon two-step authentication, and will no longer need to reach out to the RMV for this authentication reset. The two-step authentication is the method by which a user receives the security code…

2021 Low-Number Plate Lottery Is Now Open

2021 Low-Number Plate Lottery Is Now Open The 2021 Plate Lottery began on July 16, 2021 at 5:00 PM. Customers can enter the low-number plate lottery online using the myRMV Online Service Center. The lottery is online only. The deadline to enter is August 27, 2021. This year there are 201 plates available. Available plates include…

Canceling Revoked Plates – Reminder About New Procedures

Canceling Revoked Plates – Reminder About New Procedures Since January of this year, ATLAS no longer requires proof of insurance to cancel a revoked plate. The $50 reinstatement fee must first be collected, and the plate will remain in revoked status. When the Cancel Registration transaction is completed, the insurance requirement will be satisfied by…

Revised Medical Affairs Forms

Revised Medical Affairs Forms The MA RMV has revised four Medical Affairs forms to remove the option to submit them by email. They should only be submitted by mail or fax to Medical Affairs. The revised forms are: Medical Evaluation Form (MAB106); Request for Medical Evaluation (MAB107); Loss of Consciousness Evaluation Form (MAB108); and Psychiatric…

Ignition Interlock Devices Now Required for Certain 1st-Time OUI Offenders

Ignition Interlock Devices Now Required for Certain 1st-Time OUI Offenders Effective July 1, 2021, the Ignition Interlock Device (IID) obligation now extends to certain first-time OUI offenders who took a breathalyzer at the time of arrest with results of .15 or above and seek a hardship license at the RMV. Additionally, all IID Program participants…

RMV Responds to MAIA’s Letter About Agents’ Concerns

RMV Responds to MAIA’s Letter About Agents’ Concerns MAIA continues to work closely with the RMV, advocating for our members. In response to MAIA’s correspondence and recent meeting about issues that have been undermining agents’ efforts to serve clients, we received a letter from the RMV’s Acting Registrar. In it, she shares that the RMV will…

City of Boston Changes Appearance of Birth Certificates

City of Boston Changes Appearance of Birth Certificates Beginning June 22, 2021, the City of Boston switched from issuing off-white birth certificates to issuing the same blue style as the MA State Vital Records Office. The only difference is that the certificate numbers on the top right-hand corner are red for Boston and black for…

Pseudo VINs for MA Trailers Have Been Changed to MATR + 10 Digits

Pseudo VINs for MA Trailers Have Been Changed to MATR + 10 Digits Effective immediately, the mask for Massachusetts-assigned pseudo vehicle identification numbers (VINs) has been changed to MATR followed by 10 digits. It used to be MATR followed by 9 digits. Pseudo VINs that already exist will not change; it will only apply to new…

RMV Cannot Accept Pennsylvania Reconstructed Titles

RMV Cannot Accept Pennsylvania Reconstructed Titles Some MA dealers have been obtaining reconstructed titles from the State of Pennsylvania as a means of avoiding the MA salvage title and inspection process. These cannot be accepted for a registration/title transaction. Vehicle owners with PA reconstructed titles must apply for a MA Salvage Title, pass a MA…

Surviving Spouse Fee Waivers for Motorcycles

Surviving Spouse Fee Waivers for Motorcycles Effective immediately, motorcycles are eligible for the surviving spouse fee waiver. Previously, only passenger vehicles were eligible for the fee waiver. The Affidavit of Surviving Spouse (TTL103) has been revised to include motorcycles. CLICK HERE to download a copy of the revised Affidavit of Surviving Spouse (RMV form TTL103), which…

OOS Clearance Documents Can Be Submitted Online to RMV

OOS Clearance Documents Can Be Submitted Online to RMV RMV Customers can now submit clearance documents related to an out of state (OOS) violation through their account on the Online Service Center on the RMV website via the “Submit Out of State Reciprocal Suspension Clearance Request” transaction. Customers can visit the Online Service Center at Mass.Gov/RMV. Documents…

UPDATE Fall River RMV to Stay “As Is” and WILL NOT Become a Registration Drop Off Center

UPDATE Fall River RMV to Stay “As Is” and WILL NOT Become a Registration Drop Off Center Based on feedback from the public and business partners, the RMV has announced that the Fall River Service Center will continue to operate as it currently does. Appointments for all transaction types will remain available, and it will…

Remote Driving School Instruction Extended

Remote Driving School Instruction Extended   The MA RMV has issued an extension to allow Driving School Instruction and National Safety Council (NSC) Driver Retraining Classes to continue being delivered remotely through June 1, 2021. An online course completion will count as the in-person class requirement. The extension is effective immediately. Professional Driving Schools and the NSC…

RMV Extends Grace Period for Certain Expired Inspection Stickers

RMV Extends Grade Period for Certain Expired Inspection Stickers The MA RMV has announced a grace period extension for certain expired motor vehicle inspections due to the nationwide system outage of inspection services by its vendor, Applus Technologies, which is expected to continue potentially through April 17th. The RMV has advised law enforcement that compliance…

Red PAN Plates Can Now Be Reassigned

Red PAN Plates Can Now Be Reassigned Effective immediately, red Passenger Normal (PAN) plates can be reassigned by RMV Service Centers and Quincy Headquarters from one person to another. A letter from the current owner authorizing the reassignment of the plate must be presented. The letter must include a signature from the current plate holder.…

RMV Sent 3,500 Revocation Letters on 5/26 – Here’s What Customers Can Do

RMV Sent 3,500 Revocation Letters on 5/26 – Here’s What Customers Can Do Heads up! The RMV has cleared a large backlog of cases in which an insurer had canceled a customer’s insurance policy, but the RMV had not taken any action. This issue has now been resolved. On May 26th, the RMV sent approximately…

Road Tests in Lowell and Worcester

Road Tests in Lowell and Worcester Beginning March 1st, Class D and M road tests will be offered at the Lowell and Worcester RMV Service Centers. The road test hours will be Monday-Friday from 9am-4pm. These road test appointments are currently available for scheduling. Questions? The RMV has created a webpage for COVID-19 information. Please…

Vanity and Special Plates Available Online

Vanity and Special Plates Available Online Effective Monday, March 15th, vanity plates and special plates can be ordered through the RMV website.  This transaction was temporarily removed last year due to COVID-19.  When customers order these plates online, the plates, registration, and decal will be mailed to them from RMV Quincy Headquarters within 12 weeks. …

Answers to Your Questions about Reassigning PAN Plates

Answers to Your Questions about Reassigning PAN Plates After last week’s MassAgent story about the Registry now allowing red PAN plates to be transferred from one person to another, MAIA’s received questions from member agents asking about fees, who could transfer to whom, and more. MAIA Member Relations Advocate Kathy Cormier followed up with the…

RMV Revives License ID Cancellation Request Form

RMV Revives License/ID Cancellation Request Form   The RMV’s former License Cancellation Request Form, which was retired for ATLAS Release 1, has been revived and is now called License/ID Cancellation Request Form (LIC116). Customers can use this form to cancel their MA license or ID after they move to another jurisdiction and obtain a license…

Revised Application for Disabled Parking Placard Plate

Revised Application for Disabled Parking Placard/Plate   The RMV has removed information about walk-in service from the Application for Disabled Parking Placard/Plate (Form MAB100). Walk-in service was discontinued at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. The new version of the form, dated “0121” at the bottom, is available online at: https://www.mass.gov/doc/application-for-disabled-parking/download.   PLEASE NOTE:  While accurate…

Revised Registration Drop Off Center Forms

Revised Registration Drop Off Center Forms The MA RMV has revised the Registration Drop Off Center forms for Individual Customers (REG123) and for Commercial Customers (REG127), as well as the Post Drop Off Information Sheet (REG126). All of these forms have a revision date of 0221 in the bottom right corner. The revised versions have…