Massachusetts Registry To Continue Several COVID Restrictions, Even After Emergency Lifted

The following is a press release from the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles

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BOSTON – The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) is announcing that many of the new initiatives that were put in place to provide additional flexibility for its customers during the COVID-19 pandemic, will continue as the State of Emergency in Massachusetts is lifted as of today, Tuesday, June 15.

RMV customers will continue to be served by appointments only at open Service Centers, and customers who are unvaccinated will be required to wear a face covering for transactions.  In addition, the RMV will continue with including dedicated hours on Wednesdays to serve senior citizens at some locations, holding suspension hearings by phone, allowing learner’s permit tests online, and using state vehicles for anyone taking road tests. (Everyone in a vehicle for a road test must wear a face covering, regardless of vaccination status.)

In May, Governor Charlie Baker signed an Executive Order terminating the Commonwealth’s State of Emergency effective June 15, 2021. The Order also rescinded most COVID-19 restrictions, including limitations placed on businesses, as of May 29 as Massachusetts neared the goal of vaccinating four million residents.

As of Monday night, June 14, the Commonwealth reported on its public dashboard that the state has 3,970,444 fully vaccinated individuals.

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The Registry’s partner for many transactions, AAA, will also continue with the system of serving AAA members who make appointments.

Initiatives Remaining in Place as the State of Emergency is lifted today, June 15:

 Appointments for in-person transactions at open customer service locations will continue, and customers must wear a face covering for an in-person transaction if unvaccinated.

• Senior hours for customers 65 years of age and older on Wednesdays at specific locations will continue.
• Road tests will still be offered using state vehicles only. Road test sponsors will be required to be in the road test vehicle beginning today, June 15. Everyone in a road test vehicle must wear a face covering regardless of vaccination status.
• Registration Drop Off Centers for drop off and pick up service for vehicle transactions will continue.
• Online learner’s permit exams will continue and customers must still make an in-person appointment for the application process.
• Suspension hearings by telephone will continue.

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Executive Orders Rescinded:

• The period of time to transfer a vehicle registration will once again be 7 calendar days from the date a person disposes of a vehicle to register the new one. (During the pandemic, a longer grace period was given of 21 days. As of May 29, the 7-day calendar timeline went into effect which was pre-pandemic policy.)
• As of May 29, in-vehicle observation hours for Junior Operators reverted back to Driving Schools for applicants who obtained a learner’s permit on or after 5/29/2021 requiring junior operators to complete 6 hours observing another student driver, and 40 supervised driving hours with a parent or guardian.  (This was the rule pre-pandemic.)