All motor vehicle drivers and owners who need access to vehicle-related forms, such as a driver's license, registration or title, must go through the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV), the state's department of motor vehicles. Patrons can use the agency's website to access some services or go to one of the state's 64 branches.
The state accepts payments by credit card, debit card, cash, check and money order.
Making Payments at RMV Locations
The Registry of Motor Vehicles issues and maintains driver's licenses and motor vehicle registrations, and enforces the state's motor vehicle laws to promote highway safety. The agency ensures that motor vehicle operators meet minimum competency requirements to drive, and it withdraws these privileges from anyone who poses a threat to other vehicles on the road.
Vehicle owners and operators can use the RMV's services by visiting its website or many locations around the state.
As of 2022, there are 64 RMV service center locations in Massachusetts; some are full-service and some are limited in scope. Each allows patrons to pay with credit cards, including Visa, MasterCard and Discover. Other accepted forms of payment include debit cards, cash, check and money orders.
RMV Walk-in Branch Hours of Operation
RMV branch hours are typically from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. but some locations may close for an hour at lunchtime or open later on Thursdays. Before visiting a physical location, patrons should check the RMV's website to see when the branch in their area is open, what services it offers, and the types of payments it accepts.
Paying for RMV Services Online
MyRMV allows vehicle drivers and owners to access some services from the comfort of their own home. For example, users can make or cancel reservations to take a written or road test at one of the RMVs physical locations.
Users can access about 40 RMV services online. They can renew their driver's license or vehicle registration, apply for a Real ID, replace a vehicle title, order vanity license plates, request their driving record or even pay the fine for a traffic ticket.
Online Service Payment Methods
Patrons using MyRMV will typically pay for the transaction using a credit or debit card. To access their account, they need to enter their name, date of birth, Social Security number and Massachusetts driver's license, permit or state ID number.
Fees for RMV Services
Most services offered by the RMV are relatively inexpensive. Standard commonwealth of Massachusetts driver's licenses cost $75 and expire every five years. A motorcycle endorsement on an existing driver's license is an additional $15. Converting to a Massachusetts license from an out-of-state license costs from $115 to $140, and a state-issued ID is $25.
Registration fees for standard passenger vehicles are $60; to renew, it's $60 annually. A standard motorcycle registration is $20 with a yearly renewal fee of $20. A vehicle certificate of title is $75, with a fee of $25 for a duplicate or amended title. Any bad payments to the RMV will incur an additional $15, plus a $100 fee to reinstate a driver's license or vehicle registration.
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Writer Bio
Michelle Nati is an associate editor and writer who has reported on legal, criminal and government news for PasadenaNow.com and Complex Media. She holds a B.A. in Communications and English from Niagara University.