Mass DOT Announces Meetings On Fee Increases

Ken O’Brien

On Tuesday the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) Registry of Motor Vehicles Division announced a series of public meetings on the proposed changes to three RMV fees. The changes will allow MassDOT to close a projected $55 million budget gap in Fiscal Year 2015, make customer improvements, and invest in the Commonwealth’s transportation system.

Transportation finance legislation passed by the Legislature last year required MassDOT to generate its own additional revenue to help fund future budgets. Under a plan approved by the MassDOT Board in March, non-commercial vehicle registration fees for motor vehicles will increase from $50 to $60. There will be no change to commercial registration fees. Annual motor vehicle inspections will increase to $35, up from $29. The road test fee, a one-time fee for the majority of drivers, will increase to $35, up from $20. Portions of the road test revenue will help support improved customer service for first time drivers. 

The registration fee was last changed in 2009, inspection fees in 1999 and it has been more than 10 years since road test fees were changed.

Interested parties will be given an opportunity to present comments orally or in writing at the followings meetings. All locations are accessible to those with disabilities:

Tuesday, May 20, 2014 from 6pm-8pm
Central Mass. Regional Planning Commission, 2 Washington Square, 2^nd Floor, Worcester, MA

Thursday, May 22, 2014 from 10am-1pm (Public hearing)
State Transportation Building, 10 Park Plaza, 3^rd Floor – MBTA Board Room, Boston, MA

Thursday, May 22, 2014 from 6pm-8pm
State Transportation Building, 10 Park Plaza, 2^nd Floor Conference Rooms, Boston, MA

Tuesday, May 27, 2014 from 6pm-8pm
Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, 60 Congress Street, Springfield, MA

MassDOT also encourages the public to provide written comments by mail or email during the comment period. Written comments may be mailed to: MassDOT Legal Department, Regulations, RMV, 10 Park Plaza, 3^rd Floor, Boston, MA 02116. Emailed comments may be sent to: William.McVey@state.ma.us. The comment period will close on Tuesday, May 27, 2014.

MassDOT anticipates the new fee structure will generate approximately $55 million to $63 million in Fiscal Year 2015. The new fees are scheduled to go into effect July 1, 2014.

In 2009, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) was created to unify the state’s various transportation agencies. MassDOT now includes the Highway Division, the MBTA and Rail Transit Division, the Aeronautics Division, and the Registry of Motor Vehicles.