MassCops - Massachusetts Law Enforcement Network, A Mass Police Web Portal

Massachusetts Law Enforcement Network

Massachusetts Police News, Information and Discussions on MassCops

Pages: 1

Main Page License renewal and car registration no longer done online under new law
(Click here to view the original thread on the MassCops Message Board)

Posted by: kwflatbed

BOSTON — Motorists who have avoided lines at the Registry of Motor Vehicles by renewing their driver's license online would have to show up in person again under a new federal law designed to fight terrorism.
Gov. Deval Patrick is balking at the provisions of the federal Real ID Act, which requires states to verify the identity and immigration status of people who apply for driver's licenses.
The change wouldn't go into effect until 2010 in Massachusetts. It would more than double the number of people who go to registry offices in person, swamping the state's resources, Registrar Anne Collins said in an interview.
The state says it would cost more than $150 million to meet the federal requirements. Ms. Collins called the cost "staggering."
Currently, a half million people renew their driver's licenses online every year. Another million people change their address with the RMV online or by mail or phone. They would all have to come to the RMV in person if the Bush administration adopts the proposed regulation of the Real ID act this fall.
Once all drivers have federally certified driver's licenses, as required by 2013, they would be allowed to renew online again. Driver's licenses would also have to be renewed every three years, instead of every five, as is currently done in the state.
Gov. Patrick supports a proposed congressional repeal of the Real ID Act.
"Gov. Patrick has expressed his opposition to the Real ID Act, specifically with regard to its excessive demands on state funds, impractical timeline, potential harm to citizens' privacy, and possible deleterious effect on public safety," Ms. Collins wrote in a May 7 letter to the Department of Homeland Security.
A spokeswoman for the federal agency could not immediately respond to the state's objections yesterday, saying the top communications staff was in a briefing.
Earlier this week, Russell Knocke, a homeland security spokesman, said the act was necessary to protect the country from terrorism. He noted that the Sept. 11 hijackers had bought falsified driver's licenses.
"Shame on us if we do not take the steps today," Mr. Knocke told State House News Service. "I can't imagine any state in the country that would want to find themselves before a future 9/11 commission and having to explain why they did not comply with Real ID."
Ms. Collins said the state already checks immigration and identity when people first apply for driver's licenses. The state also produces driver's licenses in one centralized location, so the materials don't fall into the wrong hands.
She did not see a security risk by allowing people to renew or update driver's licenses online.
The state has until October to decide if it will comply with Real ID. If it does not, Massachusetts driver's licenses would not be recognized as proper identification to board commercial airline flights and enter federal buildings, including courthouses.
"It raises pretty significant constitutional questions," Ms. Collins said. "It continues to beg the question of reasonableness."
Gov. Patrick has yet whether he will challenge the Real ID Act. Montana and the state of Washington have enacted laws saying they will not comply with Real ID.
States will have to verify dates of birth, by converting millions of paper documents to electronic files. Ms. Collins also expects long waits at the RMV based on the questions and documentation that will be required for renewals.
Barring a repeal or court challenge, Ms. Collins wants the federal government to provide more money and more time for states to implement the law. She called 2013 "an unattainable deadline" in her letter.
Homeland security officials had asked for feedback from the states. Ms. Collins said changes were needed nationally, but she believed Massachusetts already had a secure system.
"We're hoping that they take to heart the comments and build a better set of options so there is more encouragement for other states than Massachusetts to make driver's licenses more secure," Ms. Collins said.

http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/...180355/-1/NEWS

Posted by: Crvtte65

I think registrations should still be able to be done online but a new picture every lic. renewal would be nice. This of course, would require a speedier RMV though so the suicide rate doesn't increase

Posted by: EOD1

I don't know if any of u have noticed this lately but the last time i was at the RMV the person helping me register our new cruisers had to actually go find some one who spoke english to come help. I think he was the 1 and only RMV employee who coould speak english and it wasn't his first language but at least a close second. so this works out well for deval... the rmv will have to hire more of the "undocumented workers" to help with the huge lines at the rmv!

Posted by: spd722

I still hope they allow registrations to be renewed over the phone. Its kinda nice to let a resident that you stopped for expired to renew over the cell phone while your writing the cit/warning out. Its renewed on CJIS right when they hang up so you can rerun the plate to confirm it went through.

Posted by: Portable81

SPD, do all of the branches do this? I always knew they could go and do it online, but never knew they could do it over the phone.

Posted by: Irish Wampanoag

Quote:

Originally Posted by Portable81

SPD, do all of the branches do this? I always knew they could go and do it online, but never knew they could do it over the phone.

Yes from 8am to 4pm M-F they can do it over the phone. Had a few that did it. Activates through CJIS immediately after their credit card is confirmed. Money! Money! MOOONEY!

ma police, boston ma police, massachusetts police, massachusetts police, mass state police, mass police, ma, mass, massachusetts, massachusetts, massachutes, massachusetts law, massachusetts polece, police, officer, police officer, cops, police gear, law enforcement, police duty gear, state police, sheriff, law, police supply, police agency directory, police agency, police department, traffic officer, police dept, state trooper, dispatcher, massachusetts county sheriff, massachusetts sheriff, massachusetts department of corrections, ma doc, doc, dept of corrections, police information, civil service, ma civil service, massachusetts crime, police training, police academy, ma police academy, massachusetts officers, masscop, masscops, mpa, bpa, ibpoa, police association, massachusetts police news, massachusetts crime news, mass most wanted, police career information, police patrol, police administration, police books, crime scene training, police discussion, crime discussions, cops

About MassCops, the home for Massachusetts law enforcement.

The Massachusetts Law Enforcement Network opened in 1998 and is now a part of the New England Police Network The site is a pro-police discussion forum intended for sworn police officers and civilian law enforcement officials as well as those interested in pursuing a career in law enforcement here in Massachusetts.

The goal of The Massachusetts Law Enforcement Network is to provide an informal network of law enforcement officials here in Massachusetts for educational and informational purposes.

The forum covers many topics such as Police Related News Articles, Agency & Profession Discussions, Police Training as well as Law Enforcement Career Information.

The Massachusetts Law Enforcement Network and The New England Police Network (NEPN) and it's network sites are privately owned websites/domains and are not affiliated with or endorsed by any government association or agency.

MassCops (masscops.com) and (masscop.com) are privately owned are not affiliated with or endorsed by the Massachusetts Coalition of Police (masscop.org)

3 4 5 6 7 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 49 50 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108