All Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) services will be suspended from 7 p.m. on March 22 through 8 a.m. on March 26, with the exception of law enforcement access. The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is implementing this closure to transition to a new computer system designed to help the Commonwealth comply with federal and state requirements. During this period, inspection stations will not perform motor vehicle inspections on March 23, 24, or 25, online services will be offline, and all RMV service locations will be shuttered.
The upgraded computer infrastructure will permit the Commonwealth to issue REAL ID credentials as mandated by federal law. REAL ID represents a Federal Security Standard for identification established in 2005 following heightened security protocols implemented after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
Beyond REAL ID compliance, the new system incorporates customer-focused enhancements and streamlined procedures benefiting law enforcement agencies, insurance carriers, government offices, and licensed professionals who interact with the Registry. The existing RMV infrastructure has been in operation for more than 30 years.
The following services will not be available between March 22 and March 26:
- Motor vehicle inspections at Massachusetts station locations will be unavailable starting at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 22, resuming at 8 a.m. on March 26.
- Registry online services will be down from 7 p.m. March 22 through 8 a.m. March 26.
- All Registry service locations will remain closed Friday, March 23, and reopen Monday, March 26.
- AAA branch locations providing Registry services to members will be unable to do so from 7 p.m. March 22 until 8 a.m. March 26.
- Law enforcement will retain continuous access to RMV data from March 22 through March 26 via a backup data file.
Additional details about the RMV service suspension are available at: https://www.mass.gov/service-details/alert-no-rmv-services.