Mass RMV and Drivers license Renewal 2022

[Narrowback]

I am at the F****ing end of my rope here. My birthday is this month and my drivers license is up for renewal. I have tried to renew online and have to go in person for some reason. I tried to schedule an appointment and the closest I can get is the end of next month (did I tell you it is up this month). No walk ins to the RMV. AAA has no appointments available. Looks like I am going to have to risk it and roll without a drivers license for a month or so until my appointment comes up. Knowing my luck, I will get pulled over the day after my birthday. If I get pinched can you guys help out with canteen money? Why do I have the feeling that the Martha's Vineyard 50 will get their first license before I can renew my license that I have had for 38 years?

 

[whacko]

I am at the F****ing end of my rope here. My birthday is this month and my drivers license is up for renewal. I have tried to renew online and have to go in person for some reason. I tried to schedule an appointment and the closest I can get is the end of next month (did I tell you it is up this month). No walk ins to the RMV. AAA has no appointments available. Looks like I am going to have to risk it and roll without a drivers license for a month or so until my appointment comes up. Knowing my luck, I will get pulled over the day after my birthday. If I get pinched can you guys help out with canteen money? Why do I have the feeling that the Martha's Vineyard 50 will get their first license before I can renew my license that I have had for 38 years?

My son walked into the haverhill rmv 2 days ago. Took a ticket and walked out with a renewed license in 45 minutes.
They are taking walk ins.

 

[Qwikdraw45]

My son walked into the haverhill rmv 2 days ago. Took a ticket and walked out with a renewed license in 45 minutes.
They are taking walk ins.

Don't try this in NH, at least at Concord. The wait can be 3 or 4 hours.

 

[greencobra]

isn't there only so many online renewals allowed until you have to show up in person to get a new photo taken? are you old enough to remember the days you had to take a day off from work to renew your license? we're so soft now.

 

[Lowbird]

You sure AAA has no appointments?
It might be a bite in the ass to make a run to one that's available. One of their locations called the rmv and got me about a month extension passed expiration so could get bodily fluid samples required to get a real id in this shit hole.

They just printed out a new temp.

 

[RumRunner]

First I would try the walk in like mentioned and see what happens. Also make sure no other AAA offices have an opening. If none of that works, and you are going to drive on the expired license, I would keep a print out copy of your appointment and just tell them that this was the soonest you could get and maybe they cut you a break.

 

[enbloc]

I'm considering Not Renewing my DL but driving anyway. Seems like crime is no longer punishable...

 

[Reptile]

PRO TIP:

Show up at AAA. Tell them you problem. Tell them you'll wait all day if needed to get this done.

Somebody might not show for their appointment.

They may have pity on you and offer to help.

Make your your photo is perfect. You can choose to retake on the fly. Make sure they "frame" it properly so you don't look like an elf. I'd wear you favorite collar (if may or may not appear in the photo) and trim or shave. Don't have a double chin. This picture may be with you for 15 years.

My epic covid beard is just that - EPIC! I'll never have another as good. I'm set for the next 13 years or so.

 

[Amputee Marksman]

I have been treated excellent by AAA in Burlington. Both my wife and myself have walked in an gotten our licenses renewed with minimal waiting time.

 

[appraiser]

Don't try this in NH, at least at Concord. The wait can be 3 or 4 hours.

Salem was 30 mins for me, no appointment

 

[Kilroy]

I'm considering Not Renewing my DL but driving anyway. Seems like crime is no longer punishable...

View attachment 662797

Especially for all the Illegal Aliens everywhere .

 

[Narrowback]

isn't there only so many online renewals allowed until you have to show up in person to get a new photo taken? are you old enough to remember the days you had to take a day off from work to renew your license? we're so soft now.

Are you kidding me? Those days are a dream in compared to what is going on now. First of all I have been jumping on AAA's website since mid August checking on availability with no luck. I go on the RMV's website to do it online and I guess I ran out of online drivers license renews so they book me for a month after my license expires. I take the advice of a NES'r and just popped in at the AAA in Burlington today and they tell me that "they don't take walk ins for license renewals at all and I got to check the website for an appointment". I asked about walk-ins at the RMV and the AAA girl said that it is up to the individual RMV's to take license renewals without appointments. So my question is, do I travel up to Haverhill RMV and hope the manager isn't pissed off because he got served with divorce papers the day before?

To answer your question Cobra, the good old days of going into the RMV and spending all day there sitting next to an Indian that hasn't bathed since he left New Delhi, and me armed with the knowledge that I had at least a 90% chance of success sounds like easy living.

 

[northframingham]

Don't try a walk-in in Watertown. Easily the worst run RMV in the state. I was there with my disabled son for (2) hours with an appointment.

I have never seen more arrogant employees at a RMV (I have been driving nearly 40 years!

On another date I renewed my license in the Worcester RMV with an appointment it was about 25 minutes. The staff were much nicer!!!; and it was managed much better!

 

[greencobra]

well now, I'm due in November. maybe I should do something now. let's get aaa to earn that fee.

 

[whatluck]

So Braintree rmv had 2 lines, one for walk in and one for scheduled appointments. I had an appointment for like ke 6 weeks out but needed to renew ASAP. I got in the wrong line, the one for people with appointments, and an rmv employee walked up to me with a clipboard. Can I see your Id? He was checking if people were on his list. Gave him my ID with a $50 folded up underneath so nobody could see. Palmed my money like a pro and gave my id back, right this way sir.

If you want to get by in a post-socialism world you better take a lesson from the Russians.

 

[Golddiggie]

So Braintree rmv had 2 lines, one for walk in and one for scheduled appointments. I had an appointment for like ke 6 weeks out but needed to renew ASAP. I got in the wrong line, the one for people with appointments, and an rmv employee walked up to me with a clipboard. Can I see your Id? He was checking if people were on his list. Gave him my ID with a $50 folded up underneath so nobody could see. Palmed my money like a pro and gave my id back, right this way sir.

If you want to get by in a post-socialism world you better take a lesson from the Russians.

Just more examples of PRM corruption at it's finest.

 

[bejay]

I am at the F****ing end of my rope here. My birthday is this month and my drivers license is up for renewal. I have tried to renew online and have to go in person for some reason. I tried to schedule an appointment and the closest I can get is the end of next month (did I tell you it is up this month). No walk ins to the RMV. AAA has no appointments available. Looks like I am going to have to risk it and roll without a drivers license for a month or so until my appointment comes up. Knowing my luck, I will get pulled over the day after my birthday. If I get pinched can you guys help out with canteen money? Why do I have the feeling that the Martha's Vineyard 50 will get their first license before I can renew my license that I have had for 38 years?

Could it be you need to get the “real ID” now and can’t renew online? You need forms of ID, etc.

 

[BobR51]

First thing I would do if I were you. Switch to decaf.

 

[albythewhitey]

Youre supposed to get a new license picture every other renewal. About a month before mine was going to expire and I would have to go in for a picture, I got an email saying I could renew online. Suckers. I did it, and it worked. Now I am 35 and my license picture is from when I turned 21

Can come to bite you though. When I went through the airport the TSA guy didnt believe the license was me. Baby face 21 year old clean shaven to a scruffy foot long bearded mongoloid

 

[Broc]

PRO TIP:

Show up at AAA. Tell them you problem. Tell them you'll wait all day if needed to get this done.

Somebody might not show for their appointment.

They may have pity on you and offer to help.

Make your your photo is perfect. You can choose to retake on the fly. Make sure they "frame" it properly so you don't look like an elf. I'd wear you favorite collar (if may or may not appear in the photo) and trim or shave. Don't have a double chin. This picture may be with you for 15 years.

My epic covid beard is just that - EPIC! I'll never have another as good. I'm set for the next 13 years or so.

That is not a pro tip.

A PRO TIP would be:
- don't wait until you have a few weeks left.

 

[Broc]

Could it be you need to get the “real ID” now and can’t renew online? You need forms of ID, etc.

I don't think Real ID is mandatory. Maybe that changed?

 

[eddy1953]

My son walked into the haverhill rmv 2 days ago. Took a ticket and walked out with a renewed license in 45 minutes.
They are taking walk ins.

Whacko is right. I live behind the plaza where the Haverhill RMV is located. My wife and I renewed our licenses in July no problem. Complete your online preliminary application, print it out and walk in. The security guard will direct you from there.

 

[bejay]

I don't think Real ID is mandatory. Maybe that changed?

I believe it is now mandatory. I’ve not heard of having an option.

 

[zboys]

I believe it is now mandatory. I’ve not heard of having an option.

It's not mandatory, you have the option of Standard or Real

 

[BigEd]

When I renewed last February I was sent paperwork in December stating what I needed to renew my license I've had for 34 years.

Birth Certificate
Social Security Card (Signed)
2 other pieces of State issued ID, Phone bill etc.

I used my Hoisting License and LTC as two other pieces of ID.

Could not find my Birth Certificate or SSC in the last 16 years. So had to get copies.
Since it was masks only, and appointments. My SSC I did online which was a PITA (Log in, Verify, Send you mail to re-verify, then get the card)
Birth certificate had to mail in info and came in the mail just 2 days later.

Went to registry on a Friday at Lunchtime and there was a Registry officer outside. He asked if I had an appointment, I said no. He asked when my license expires, I said this Sunday. He asked if I had all my paperwork, I said yes. He looked inside (through glass doors) and said I think we can squeeze you in.
Went inside (about 30+ people inside) was greeted by another Registry officer and asked why I was there. I said license renewal, he handed me some paperwork to fill out and come see him after I finished filling it out. Took about 3 minutes, went back, he looked it over, handed me a kiosk ticket and said wait for your number to be called.

Didn't take two steps and my number was called. Went to counter, handed in paperwork, paid for the license with a card, had picture taken, handed receipt, and paper license. License arrived in mail the following Wednesday.

Was In and Out in <15 minutes with no appointment. I guess I got lucky. Registry was in Greenfield by the rotary.

 

[CATI]

So Braintree rmv had 2 lines, one for walk in and one for scheduled appointments. I had an appointment for like ke 6 weeks out but needed to renew ASAP. I got in the wrong line, the one for people with appointments, and an rmv employee walked up to me with a clipboard. Can I see your Id? He was checking if people were on his list. Gave him my ID with a $50 folded up underneath so nobody could see. Palmed my money like a pro and gave my id back, right this way sir.

If you want to get by in a post-socialism world you better take a lesson from the Russians.

Just a couple years ago a $20 would work
Bribe inflation is real

 

[Buck F]

Could it be you need to get the “real ID” now and can’t renew online? You need forms of ID, etc.

I don't think Real ID is mandatory. Maybe that changed?

I believe it is now mandatory. I’ve not heard of having an option.

It's not mandatory, you have the option of Standard or Real

Real ID is not mandatory, you have the option of renewing a standard MA license which requires far less documentation.

The world won't end if you're driving on an expired license. At worst, if you get pulled over you'll get a ticket which you'll most likely be able to beat in front of a magistrate. It's not like driving on expired/revoked plates where the plate readers the popo use will catch you.

Make an appointment and in the meantime try going to the RMV in person. The RMV just put out an advisory last week that they're no longer requiring appointments for registration, I suspect licensing is not far behind. Some of the RMV offices will take you as a walk-in if they're not too backed up, usually towards the end of the day is best.

 

[eddy1953]

I believe it is now mandatory. I’ve not heard of having an option.

They gave me a Class D with motorcycle endorsement that states "not for federal ID". Wife got same. Lady at RMV assured me that I am legal to drive with it in all 50 states.

 

[whatluck]

Just a couple years ago a $20 would work
Bribe inflation is real

$20 doesn't even buy you a cocktail or burger in MA any more.

 

[amb]

A month or so ago Haymarket was chasing out people who didn't have an appointment really aggressively. An hour later (mid-afternoon) things had slowed down and they started letting people without appointments in. I'd give walk-in a shot.

Also, if you have the patience for it keep looking around online. I kept checking back and first got a two-days-out Springfield appointment, and then kept upgrading to better and better appointments as people canceled. I ended up with same-day at Haymarket in the mid-afternoon.

If you do that make sure you have a copy of your appointment email, you won't be on the appointment list they printed out that morning.