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MMA Alert - MA RMV Services Outages & MA Driver Licensing Change

Published on 3/22/2018

MMA Alert - MA RMV Services Outages & MA Driver Licensing Change
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Your Massachusetts Motorcycle Association would like to alert our Membership that the RMV will not provide services this weekend, and will also be implementing two different types of Drivers License or ID.

The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles is reporting that it "is transforming its business processes and replacing its technology to deliver exceptional customer service for residents and businesses across the Commonwealth."

Beginning tomorrow, Thursday, March 22, at 7 PM, most RMV services will NOT be available while the RMV shuts down its current system and implements its new system on Monday, March 26 at 8 AM.

While services crucial to Public Safety will be available, all other transactions, such as Licensing, Registrations, Inspections, Renewals, Permits, etc., will NOT be.

Registry Service Centers will be CLOSED Friday and Saturday, and AAA Offices will also NOT be able to process transactions. Also, Vehicle Dealerships that are equipped to process Registrations will not be able to enter those transactions.

Further, Vehicle Inspection Stations will NOT be able to process inspections during this period, and Driver Testing will also not be available.

Motorcycle Rider Classes and testing provided through the Massachusetts Motorcycle Rider Education Program will NOT be affected since they will process completed successful data following the transition.

With the implementation of the new systems, beginning March 26, the Mass RMV will begin offering two different types of Driver's Licenses or Identification Cards - a "REAL ID" or "Standard".

The "REAL ID" is a Driver's License or ID that is VALID for Federal Identification Purposes; the "Standard" ID is not. Beginning in October of 2020, you will need either a valid "REAL ID" or a Passport to board an Airplane or enter some Federal Buildings.

With this change, to obtain or renew any driver’s license, ID card, or learner’s permit, documentation must be presented showing U.S. citizenship or lawful presence in the U.S. as required by state and federal law. Visit Mass.gov/ID for more information and a complete list of acceptable documentation.

Licenses or IDs will continue to be valid until the holder's birthday in the year of expiration. For holders who are not U.S. Citizens or Permanent Lawful Residents, the License or ID will be valid until the date their authorized stay expires.

Current licenses and IDs remain valid until the date of expiration printed on them, although they will not be valid for boarding airplanes or entering federal buildings that require ID after September 2020. Liquor ID formats will NOT change.

The RMV has created a Poster showing examples of the REAL ID or Standard ID, and a Checklist of valid documents for REAL ID and Standard IDs.

Questions can be emailed directly to the RMV: RMVATLASSupport@massmail.state.ma.us.

MA RMV Real ID Poster
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