Government

Registry of Motor Vehicles Announces New Requirements for Licenses, IDs

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The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles is reminding the public that on March 26, 2018, to get or renew any driver’s license, ID card, or learner’s permit, customers will need documentation showing United States citizenship or lawful presence as required by federal and state law, according to an announcement from the RMV. Lawful presence means that a person is legally living in the United States according to federal immigration laws. All United States citizens and lawfully permanent residents have permanent lawful presence in the U.S. Non-U.S. individuals who are studying, working, or living temporarily in the U.S. may have temporary lawful presence that may vary in length. On March 26, customers will have the choice between a REAL ID Driver’s License or ID Card or a Standard Massachusetts Driver’s License or ID Card. REAL ID is a Federal Security Standard for IDs that was created in 2005 as a result of increased federal security measures after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. REAL ID will be available on March 26, 2018; however, people will not need a REAL ID until October of 2020.

Around Town

Registry of Motor Vehicles to Close for a Few Days Later in March

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The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) has announced that all RMV services, with the exception of law enforcement, will be unavailable from 7 p.m., March 22 until 8 a.m. March 26 due to the RMV changing over a new computer system that will allow the RMV to comply with federal and state mandates. In addition inspection station locations will be unable to conduct motor vehicle inspections on March 23, 24 or 25, RMV on-line services will be unavailable, and RMV service locations will be closed. The Registry’s new computer system will enable the Commonwealth to issue federally mandated REAL ID credentials to members of the public who will need a REAL ID credential. REAL ID is a Federal Security Standard for IDs that was created in 2005 as a result of the increased federal security measures after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The new computer system will also have enhanced customer-centric features and more efficient process elements for access by law enforcement, the insurance industry, government entities and professionals who need to engage the Registry.  The current RMV system is more than 30 years old.

Charity

Watertown Mall and RMV Fill an MBTA Bus with Gifts for Needy Children

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The Watertown Mall and the Registry of Motor Vehicles at the mall partnered to Fill an MBTA Bus with gifts. This is the 14th year of the Fill-a-Bus toy drive that helps needy children and teens during the holiday time. The Watertown Mall and the RMV collected more than 100 unwrapped gifts in a little less than a week. All gifts are donated to the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty of Children and the Commonwealth Tenants Association. Watertown Mall is wheelchair accessible and accessible by MBTA bus routes 70 and 70A.

Transportation

Registry of Motor Vehicles Offering Driving Tests in 26 More Languages

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The MassDOT Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) announced it has begun offering the automated learner’s permit knowledge test in 26 additional languages.  Customers can take their passenger vehicle (Class D) and motorcycle (Class M) learner’s permit tests using a new, automated, and web-based system which randomly generates the test questions and answers. Foreign language tests previously were offered in paper versions.  In addition to English and Spanish, the test is now available in Arabic, Armenian, Burmese, Chinese simplified, Chinese traditional, Farsi, French, German, Greek, Gujarati, Haitian/Creole, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Khmer, Korean, Laotian, Polish, Portuguese (Brazilian), Russian, Serbo-Croatian (Latin), Thai, Urdu, and Vietnamese.  These languages align with the statewide Language Access plan, which identifies those languages most commonly spoken by Massachusetts residents.  Somali and Tagalog/Filipino will be offered beginning the last week of December. In addition, the RMV will be offering an automated American Sign Language (ASL) test to customers in early 2017. Registrar Erin Deveney explained, “By updating our technology and expanding our language offerings, we’re improving service delivery for all of our customers.  These improvements will minimize waits at service centers and shift the focus of our service staff from inefficient test administration processes to helping customers.”

The user-friendly touch screen saves customers time, allows for fast and automated test scoring, prevents cheating and fraud through question randomization, and offers ample data capabilities to assist with identifying future business improvements. This implementation is state-wide, with the exception of the Chicopee, Haverhill, Natick, and Roslindale Service Centers that do not offer permit tests.  The RMV will continue to monitor customer requests and evaluate the need to add more languages to the automated testing system.

Around Town

Registry of Motor Vehicles Running Low Number Plate Lottery

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MassDOT Registrar of Motor Vehicles Erin Deveney announced that applications for the 2016 Low Number Plate Lottery are now being accepted online or by U.S. mail. Starting this year, for the first time ever, customers will be able to enter the lottery online by visiting: https://secure.rmv.state.ma.us/myPlateLotto/.  Mail-in applications are available for download at www.MassRMV.com, or at Registry branch office locations across the Commonwealth.  Applications must be received online or postmarked by August 26, 2016, in order for the applicant to be eligible. “The low plate lottery is our customers’ favorite time of the year at the RMV,” said Registrar Erin Deveney.  “We are excited to have streamlined our application process this year to allow for online submissions, making it easier for our customers to enter the lottery. Not only can our customers skip the line by doing over 23 transactions at www.MassRMV.com, now they can also skip the stamp and enter the lottery electronically.”

This year, there are 183 plates that are part of the low plate lottery, surpassing the large pool of plates offered in 2015.

Around Town

Watertown Teen Says She Was Unfairly Accused of Cheating on Driving Exam

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A 16-year-old Watertown girl said she was unfairly accused of cheating on her written driver’s test when she went to the Registry of Motor Vehicles. Courtney Carroll went to the RMV to get her learner’s permit, but was pulled out of exam room and told she could not get it because she cheated, according to a story by Fox 25 News. What got her in trouble? Apparently RMV officials saw here give a “thumbs up” sign during the exam and stopped her exam. Carroll maintains she did nothing wrong.