Massachusetts RMV to strictly enforce no walk-in policy at eight open service centers
Boston — The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles is now enforcing a strict no walk-in policy at its eight service centers open to the general public. The only transactions that will be processed at service centers are those that require an in-person transaction, including commercial driving licenses or permits, some new registrations, out-of-state conversions, and new Massachusetts IDs. Customers who need to complete these transactions will be required to make online appointment reservations; anyone arriving without an appointment will be asked to leave and make an appointment online to return at a future date.
Any customer who makes an appointment will be sent a confirmation email that they should be prepared to show on arrival at their designated time at a specific service center.
The RMV offers many services online, including renewing motor vehicle registrations, and customers needing these services will only be serviced online at this time. If the service can be completed online, the RMV will not process the transaction in a service center. Renewals for standard driver’s license and ID credentials can be performed online, along with more than 40 other transactions that can be conducted online, over the phone or by mail.
The RMV has already suspended knowledge/written exams and road tests for noncommercial (Class D and Class M) learner’s permits. In addition, the federal government’s REAL ID compliance deadline has been postponed to October 2021. For this reason, the RMV has suspended the issuance of new REAL IDs at this time.
Customers may continue to request suspension hearings by visiting a service center in person on a first-come, first-served basis, but under new protocols, customers will be required to submit applications and all required supporting documentation depending on the type of suspension before leaving. A hearings officer will call customers directly to conduct their suspension hearings by phone.
Some suspended customers may already be able to complete the reinstatement process and payment online if all other outstanding requirements have been satisfied.
Hearings are being conducted at Boston/Haymarket, Brockton, Fall River, Lawrence, Springfield and Worcester. Hearings at the Pittsfield RMV occur weekly on Wednesdays and no hearings are conducted in Plymouth. Chemical test refusal hearings are only held at Boston/Haymarket.
