Update: RMV Branch Counter Fee Rescinded

At Governor Deval Patrick's direction today, March 2, the RMV rescinded the $5 branch counter fee on licensing and registration transactions.  MassDOT RMV customers are still encouraged to use the Registry of Motor Vehicles online branch for license and registration transactions.  

MassDOT today introduced five new reasons why it pays for customers to use the Registry of Motor Vehicle's online branch, mail-in registration and automated phone services.

Beginning March 1, 2010, customers can avoid a $5 branch counter fee on licensing and registration transactions by using the RMV’s online services for most of their Registry needs. The branch counter fee will apply to the following services: 

    * Renew your driver's license (every other renewal period)
    * Get a duplicate driver's license
    * Renew or duplicate MA ID
    * Renew your passenger vehicle registration
    * Request an attested driving record

Customers who visit the RMV online branch at www.mass.gov/rmv can now renew or get duplicates of their driver's license, Mass ID and registration; conduct 90% of the paperwork for a new license or out-of-state license conversion; order a driving record, police crash report and FastLane Transponder; change an address, check a vehicle title, registration or license expiration date, sign up for organ donation, pay citations and cancel their license plates.

Through transportation reform promoted by the Patrick-Murray Administration, the RMV division has saved hundreds of thousands of dollars by expanding online services, consolidating RMV office space and using rent-free locations for new express branches.

MassDOT's RMV division serves more than 4.7 million licensed drivers and 5.8 million vehicle registrations.

Comments

[Mary]

Cant everyone see what is going on here? This was all in the plan to make Patrick look like a hero for recinding the fee. He did it for re-election purposes. Keep an eye on this guy. He says things he knows you want to hear, then does exactly the opposite. It's business as usual in Boston. Now they have to reimburse the people that paid the fee yesterday. That will take time, money, tie up clerks that could work the window. Figure out how much it will cost to give back the 5.00. His choice in agency managers with these ideas are a joke.

[Secretary of Innovation]

Thank you Governor Patrick for rescinding the additional $5 fee at the RMV.

And thanks for this open forum for citizens of the Commonwealth to air their views without censorship. There is a lot of frustration out there and it is wise to listen and embrace it.

There are also many positive and creative ideas the citizens can contribute through open dialogue.

We support open dialogue of the good, in between and even the apparently ugly.

The Secretary of Innovation (not an official agency) is a Massachusetts-based blog community of folks looking for solutions. Open discussion is key to our effort.
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Thank you for the comments. We received many comments and are committed to open dialogue.

[Ann]

Seems unfair that CDL licenses HAVE to renewed in person but we will still be forced to pay the extra $5 for having to spend a good chunk of our day sitting in a registry office.
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RMV has rescinded the $5 branch counter fee

[Desirae Thayer]

I think this is a great idea! Everyone wins with this, If they stop raising our rates for behind the counter jobs. They have already stop sending reminders for renewals to save money, another $5.00 out of our pocket, oh what the heck , people who don't have access to the online services get penalized right?
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MassDOT: RMV has rescinded the $5 counter fee.

[madone]

BUT...Western Massachusetts does not have internet access!!! How can you impose a fee on people that can't get any internet service? Don't you see how backwards it is to push people to use something they can't???

Do you idiots in Boston have any idea what it is like in Franklin County? Do you even know that Franklin County exists? When everyone in Franklin County has the ability to get internet service then we will talk.
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MassDOT RMV has rescinded the $5 counter fee.

[David Muenkel]

I am deeply sadden that the common wealth finds it necessary to charge us $5 to talk to somebody in person and during a time that people are struggling. This $5 fee is going to hit the middle and lower class more then anybody.
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MassDOT RMV has rescinded the $5 counter fee.

[Jen Downs]

This is horrible.
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MassDOT RMV at the Governor's direction has rescinded the $5 counter fee.

[AMM]

Five dollar counter fee??? You've got to be kidding!

That has got to be one of the most obnoxious decisions I've seen made in quite some time. It is actions like this that encourage me to support privatization of the entire operation. This is shameful!
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MassDOT RMV rescinded the $5 counter fee.

[Ian]

You have got to be !@#$%^& kidding me? Im a democrat but no way am i voting for Deval with ideas like this.
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MassDOT RMV at the Governor's direction has rescinded the $5 counter fee.

[E.Foisy]

you want people to pay a fee so they can pay a fee? Is this a joke?
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MassDOT RMV has rescinded the $5 counter fee.

[Long Gone]

This really is the straw that will break my back. I'm leaving this stupid state.
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MassDOT RMV at the Governor's direction rescinded the $5 branch fee.

[sickofit]

This is insane. How about a $5 DISCOUNT for using the online service, since the RMV already hoses MA residents more than any other state does to their residents? The fees MA puts out are already too high, this is just another back door MA tax. This policy needs to END NOW. Start applying discounts to online transactions - use positive reinforcement instead of negative!
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MassDOT RMV has rescinded the $5 counter fee.

[CHRIS]

WHY ONLY $5.00 - SHOULD JUST GO ALL THE WAY AND TAKE WHATS LEFT OF MY PAYCHECK. ITS WHAT YOU WANT ANYWAYS - EVENTUALLY MY CHECK WILL BE A NEGATIVE AMOUNT !

[Gary]

I have a cdl and must go to a branch office to renew, as you can't renew online. The cdl cost $75.00 and now another $5.00 because i can't renew online. Thanks Gov. Patrick for another TAX!!!
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RMV at the Governor's direction rescinded the $5 counter fee.

[Jansen McNay]

I have twice needed to visit a branch office due to problems with incorrect data in the online system that were NOT MY FAULT and prevented me from processing the transactions online. In my case, someone else in the state once used my social security number on their license. The personnel working in the branch office as well as contacted via telephone were not able to fix the problem but were able to process my renewals. Unfortunately, I was told that there is nothing that can be done and that I should expect that I will not be able to use the online system to renew my license in the future. I suspect that I am not alone in this situation, and I know that there are many capable drivers who are incapable of using the online system. Hence, I believe this fee is unfair and unjust, and I strongly oppose it.
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Thank you for explaining your situation. MassDOT RMV at the Governor's direction rescinded the $5 counter fee.

[KermitGoodman, 23 First Street, Pittsfield, MA. 01201]

pay to talk to a state agency and employee already getting paid? This place is going nuts! ENOUGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is absolutely abusive. The state needs to allocate enough money to money raising operations such as the RMV and stop nickel and diming us to death.
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MassDOT RMV has rescinded the $5 counter fee.

[Michael Vincent]

This is absolutely outrageous. Not every resident of this state has acess to a computer. We are already taxed for this service. You people should wake and come to the real world.

[C. M. Kumiega]

So, if your appearance has changed (as one does with age) how in heck are you supposed to have your picture taken without the $5 fee? Seems I already pay you WAY more than your services are worth. I can just imagine having to use a license with an outdated picture and explaining I live in a state being governed by people who know nothing but to tax the hell out of us for every little thing!

When people complained about the surly service we were treated to at the RMV, silly me: I thought they needed some customer care and service classes - no, we don't get that - instead we have to PAY to talk to a surly person. This is just amazing!
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RMV at the Governor's direction rescinded the $5 counter fee.

[Dale Sluter]

I do not think that $5.00 fee is fair to many people that do not use the internet.Believe it or not I happen to know many people who are computer illiterate and a lot of elderly whom have never learned. please reconsider or at least go by their ages and income levels..

[Nantricia Chapman]

You people are arrogant enough to mandate that you make no mistakes in your automation and to devalue the need for customer service. Do you charge for the RMV employee to respond too or just to listen?

[Rick B]

What a great state, going to nickle and dime us to support corruption within your workforce. Get rid of some of the dead wood. Recently renewed registration, cost $90.00. Then there is the excise tax, gas tax, etc.When are you going to stop?