Archive for the ‘Massachusetts RMV’ Category
Massachusetts License Plate Lottery Open!
Posted by Cassandra in Massachusetts RMV on June 15th, 2010
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation begun accepting application for the 2010 Low Number License Plate Lottery yesterday. Those who enter their names into the drawing are hoping for 179 of the most sought after Massachusetts license plates including: R12, F17 and 55A.
“Every year the plate lottery generates thousands of applicants because all drivers have an equal shot at winning one of these coveted plates… Last year more than six thousand people participated and this year we expect even greater interest.”
- Registrar Rachel Kaprielian.
Applications for the license plate lottery are available in all RMV branches and online at: www.mass.gov/rmv/forms/registration.htm. To be accepted all applications must be postmarked no later than August 9th 2010. Postcard entries, as indicated by MassDOT, will not be accepted. Those who have won the lottery and do not register their vehicles by December 31, 2010 will forfeit their license plates and will be offered to a list of 25 alternative winners who will be chosen during the main drawing.
The lottery winners will be announced at a live drawing at the Larz Anderson Auto Museum Saturday August 28th at 11:00 am. Admission to the museum and the current “Curve Appeal” exhibit will be free to all applicants. For official drawing details and a complete list of the plates up for drawing visit: www.mass.gov/rmv. Lottery winners will be posted on the RMV website Monday, August 30th.
VIP at the RMV
Posted by Cassandra in Massachusetts RMV on April 7th, 2010
New Drivers & Those Transfering to a Massachusetts License Make Appointments Online Avoiding the RMV Wait
The mere idea of visiting the RMV is a dreary nightmare to many: taking a number, filling out paper work, waiting, and waiting… and waiting. The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles has recognized your impatience and frustration of visiting a branch in creating numerous opportunities for drivers to complete transactions and other. For a number of drivers who are still required to visit a branch, the RMV has made the visit an even less stressful process.
The registry is working on creating additional web functions for new drivers and new Massachusetts residents to set meeting times to process paperwork without the wait. The RMV tested a pilot program at its Springfield branch for the past few months, and with its success will now make the service available statewide. During the pilot a total of 89 customers scheduled appointments.
The Massachusetts RMV website mass.gov/rmv holds an interactive guide that will walk applicants through the process and notify the driver of required documents that will be needed at the meeting to verify identity and residency.
Reduced RMV Lines!
Posted by Cassandra in Massachusetts RMV on March 24th, 2010
The Patrick-Murray Administration has moved forward in an effort to make transportation agencies more accountable and strengthen customer service. The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) introduced two new RMV initiatives this month that will encourage saving time for driver’s visits to the RMV to cancel a vehicle registration.
An average of 45,000 customers visit an RMV branch to cancel their vehicle registration a month. Prior to the new implementations drivers would have to wait in line at a branch to turn in their plates and receive a proof of cancellation. Today massDOT posted two additional options to cancel a vehicle’s registration:
- Option 1: Visit the RMV’s online branch at www.mass.gov/rmv to verify plate cancellation. The customer will be instructed to destroy or recycle their license plates and need not visit a branch to return them.
- Option 2: Under a pilot program available in the Watertown branch and expanded to Wilmington, Worcester and Plymouth by the end of the month, customers will be able to return their plates using a touch-screen kiosk in the branch lobby without waiting in line. Customers will use the touch-screen kiosk to print their own cancellation notices and deposit their canceled plates into the kiosk.
The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles has made a large move encouraging drivers to use the online website by offering additional services through the RMV website. Drivers applying for a new license or converting an out-of-state license may fill out the majority of the paperwork online and be ready to complete the transaction in a branch, decreasing the amount of time spent in the branch itself. Other online services offered by the RMV include: license and registration renewals, ordering a Fast Lane transponder, driving record and crash police reports, reviewing a registration, title or lien, and signing up to become an organ and tissue donor.
Online plate cancellation was added to www.mass.gov/rmv website last month as a soft launch. Thus far the online cancellation has been used by 3,230 customers. Although this service is only a small portion of RMV operations, programmers are looking adding other simple service transactions to self-help kiosks such as paying tickets or citations.
Driver’s License Renewals
Posted by Cassandra in Massachusetts RMV on January 27th, 2010
Does it seem like the RMV is the only place that makes you work a little extra on your birthday? The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles is looking to make your renewal processes easier. As opposed to standing in line at the RMV every four or five years, every other renewal period you may renew your license online! In an effort to save on expenses the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles no longer sends reminder mailings to renew your driver’s license. Be sure to keep a careful eye on your license expiration date.
A Massachusetts driver’s license is valid up to five years from issue date and will expire on your birthday. You may renew your drivers license up to a year before the expiration date. However if you’re more of a procrastinator, the RMV recommends renewing driver’s license at least seven days before expiration. Thus allowing enough time to receive your new license in the mail before your current license expires.
Also be prepared to pay a renewal fee. The Massachusetts government charges $25 for an amendment or duplicate licensing and $75 for the renewal of a Class A, B, or C license. For more information on the Massachusetts licensing charges visit the RVM fees page where renewals, registration, and title transfer fees are listed.
However it is important to remember you may not renew your license online if you:
- have a license photo that was taken before age 21
- have a license photo that was taken more than nine years ago
- hold a commercial driver’s license
- need to legally change your name
- have filed for a change of address however have not received a confirmation e-mail
- would like to register to vote
- do not have a Social Security number
In these cases you will need to visit a local RMV branch to renew and have additional changes made.
Massachusetts Laws On Temporary License Plates
Posted by Cassandra in Consumer Advocacy, Massachusetts RMV on January 23rd, 2010
Have you ever noticed a driver in front of you has stuck a pair of home made license plates on their bumper? This may be for numerous reasons from an accident to simply falling off. However if someone drives without a license plate, or one mangled to the extent it is unreadable, you can be sure a ticket for improper display is soon to follow.
Let’s say a driver has just experienced an accident resulting in illegible license plate. The vehicle is fine, only slight cosmetic damage has been done. Our driver has immediately applied for new plates from the RMV, as any driver without a license plate or an illegible plate should do. The plates however will not arrive for another four to six weeks! The driver works across Boston from his home and can not miss work tomorrow, much less for the next four weeks. In the mean time our driver must create a temporary plate. What are the requirements for this make shift license plate? Ann Dufresne gives a few guidelines:
“The legislation says approximate a standard plate as best as you can. There are no specific requirements for size, shape. It just needs to be legible from 60 feet away like a real plate. The hope is that one would use common sense.”
- RMV spokeswoman Ann Dufresne in an e-mail to Peter DeMarco of the Boston Globe
A temporary license plate must be placed in the same spot an official license plate would be located. Meaning the plates should be secured in the center of the rear or front bumper. Keep in mind when a home made license plate is placed on a rear bumper it must be illuminated. Placing temporary plates else, such as in the rear view window, will not legally replace a missing plate and the driver may be ticketed.
Creating a temporary license plate and placing it in the proper location is not enough to avoid a ticket. If you are pulled over with temporary plates you must also keep proof of the license plate application that verifies your plates are in the process of being made and on their way. If you have a question of whether or not a temporary plate will allow you to legally drive the streets, consult your local Registry of Motor Vehicles.
Beverly RMV Closing, Danvers Express Branch Opening
Posted by Cassandra in Massachusetts RMV on January 21st, 2010
The Beverly Registry of Motor Vehicles branch will be closing this Friday January 23rd. A new express branch opening Monday, January 25th in the Danvers Liberty Tree Mall will replace this location. Eight of the Beverly employees will transfer to the new Danves branch while the remaining employees transfer to other local branches. The new express branch will handle all registry transactions it has in the past with the exception of road and permit tests as well as suspension hearings.
The Massachusetts RMV experienced 13 million dollars in budget cuts this past year. In an effort to accommodate this severe decrease in funding itwas announced last July 11 branches would close. In the plan to close these branched the RMV recognized the need to continue serving Massachusetts drivers. In response to this need 5 new locations will be opened in state owned buildings ing an expected 1.7 million dollars on rent alone.
In an effort to reduce spending the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles has also made many services available online. Giving drivers the convenience of accessing many documents and processing payments on their own time schedule and without having to stand in line! The Massachusetts RMV has even allowed residents to renew their license online for every other renewal period. For license renewals a driver will only have to visit the RMV every 10 years for an updated license photo.
The newest addition the Registry of Motor Vehicle’s online accessis the easy and expedient access to accident reports. If a police officer is not present at the scene of an accident and damages are more than $1,000 or is someone is injured those involved in the accident are required to submit a police report to the Massachusetts RMV. The previously time consuming search for an accident report and the pain of waiting for a certified record to be mailed will be no more. With the new online system the RMV will be able to process a request for an accident report within 24 hours of of the record beingfound and may also be sent by e-mail. The express branch looks promising, let’s hope for few hiccups in the big move this weekend!
Mass DOT & Brockton Police Crack Down
Posted by Cassandra in Massachusetts Department of Transportation, Massachusetts RMV on December 17th, 2009
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation and Brockton police department conducted a city wide safety investigation. The surprise inspection revealed more than a few bumps in the road. The undercover examination was conducted on 85 school transport vehicles bringing children to and from Brockton elementary schools and day cares. As an extension of “Operation Clean Sweep” 12 safety check points were set up to check in on the school’s transportation system.
Inspectors found more than 52 violations by the school’s transportation system. A few of these included: driving with out the proper licensing, overloaded buses, equipment defects, and equipment so old or worn down it was unsafe to drive. This is the second city wide transportation inspection Massachusetts has seen this year. Hopefully these investigations will inspire transportation services across the state to continue following the laws and regulations of safe driving.
Cancelling Your Auto Insurance
Posted by Cassandra in Consumer Advocacy, Legislation, MassDriver.org, Massachusetts RMV, Progressive Insurance News, Saving Money On Auto Insurance on October 6th, 2009
Write it on a post it note. Program it into your phone. Leave yourself a voice mail at home. What ever it takes, don’t allow your auto insurance to lapse.
Here are a few things to remember about auto insurance cancellations:
- Driving with out insurance is illegal. Should anything happen while you’re driving, not only will the violation be added to your driving record with a citation, raising your insurance rates – if you’re at fault for an accident, all damages your insurance company would have paid will come straight out of your pocket.
- You don’t need to wait for renewal time to cancel a policy. Shopping around to find another policy with better rates is a great idea. No need to wait until your current policy is up to start saving.
- Never ever ignore your insurance bill. Ignoring your insurance bill may be cause for cancellation due to non-payment. When this occurs not only will future insurance companies see you as a higher risk, they may ask you to pay the full insurance amount up front.
- Cancellation must be done in writing. When you notify your current insurance company of your cancellation allow a reasonable amount of time for cancellation. When notifying the company, be sure and include the date you would like cancellation to take place giving yourself peace of mind for when you’re old coverage is up and your new one is to begin.
Why You Need More Than the Minimums
Posted by Cassandra in Consumer Advocacy, Legislation, Massachusets Division of Insurance, Massachusetts RMV on October 3rd, 2009
Auto insurance is anything but optional. Not only should you want to have car insurance, the sate requires drivers to purchase it. Two important coverages, among others, Massachusetts requires drivers to have are Property Damage and Liability Coverage.
Property damage covers damages the insured has caused to someone else property. Massachusetts state minimum for property damage is $5,000. This covers everything from street lamps and stop signs to other vehicles. Maybe you didn’t realize you were speeding when an oil spot sent you spinning into that Bentley… you’re still responsible for the damages and that $5,000 of coverage isn’t gong to do much. To be safe you should consider at least $100,000 of property coverage.
A second minimum coverage set by the state is Liability coverage. This includes bodily injury and property damage to others. Maybe the state minimum will cover one person in a minor accident. But what if it was more than a fender bender? Or maybe there were passangers in the car you collide with? When multiple people are involved, or even just one in a decent accident – the $40,000 minimum state coverage isn’t likely going to cover all of the hospital bills, operations, medications, and therapy your accident incurred.
If you choose to only insure yourself to the state minmums, remember you are responsible for all expenses past what your insurance covers. Find out more about Massachusetts state minimum insurance requirements on the Massachusetts Division of Insurance Webpage.
Keep Insurance Rates Low
Posted by Cassandra in Consumer Advocacy, MassDriver.org, Massachusetts RMV, Saving Money On Auto Insurance, Uncategorized on September 30th, 2009
Q: What’s the easiest way to keep low insurance rates?
A: With a clean drivers record.
Not only will you need to pay that speeding ticket, you’ll be paying for it the next couple years on your auto insurance. Insurance companies determine your rates in part by what kind of a driver you are. If you’re a safe driver with no citations, an insurance company sees you as a low risk to insure. If you’re a road-raging multi-major-accident driver, the insurance company may view you a little differently.
Massachusetts determines the magnitude of driving violations with surchargeable points. For example, a major accident will count more points than a 5 mile over speeding ticket. Take a look at how Massachusetts classifies your driving violations:
| Surchargeable Incident | Surcharge Points |
|---|---|
| Major Traffic Violation (i.e., D.U.I.) |
5 |
| Major At-Fault Accident (claim over $2,000) |
4 |
| Minor At-Fault Accident (claim over $500 to $2,000) |
3 |
| Minor Traffic Violation (i.e., speeding) |
2 |
Each citation adds more than just a few bucks on to your insurance. Avoid these hefty points with safe driving: allow extra traveling time, drive defensively, and buckle up. Your check book will thank you.
