Massachusetts RMV details translation, outreach work ahead of license eligibility expansion

Colin A. Young

Additional staff members, road test materials translated into multiple languages and outreach to immigration advocacy groups were among the preparations described Wednesday as the Registry of Motor Vehicles prepares to open up access to licenses to residents without legal immigration status next month.

Just more than two weeks before the license law that survived a repeal effort takes effect July 1, the RMV also said it is still working to expand customer service staffing and hours, double the number of road test examiners, and establish temporary new road test sites in hopes of implementing the law without major hiccups.

“Every resident of Massachusetts who wants to drive should be able to drive if they meet the qualifications and that is now possible thanks to the Work and Family Ability Act,” Transportation Secretary Gina Fiandaca said. “The Registry of Motor Vehicles is ready to welcome all residents, regardless of their immigration status, as they seek a driving license so they can legally drive to get to work, school, the doctor’s office, and to see family and friends. We are pleased to open our doors at the Registry of Motor Vehicles to all eligible applicants under the WFMA and will have road test materials in several languages, translation services available, and additional staff so that a resident’s first experience with the Registry is a successful one.”

Under the law, which the Legislature enacted over Gov. Charlie Baker’s veto last year and then was upheld in November with 54 percent of voters supporting it, all Massachusetts residents who are old enough will be eligible to apply for standard driver’s licenses, regardless of their immigration status. Immigrants who do not have legal status in the United States will need to submit other documents — including either a valid, unexpired foreign passport or a valid, unexpired consular identification document — to prove their identity, date of birth and current residency.

The RMV announced a new website, www.mass.Gov/WFMA, which includes information on the law, the identification requirements, and the steps eligible people must take to get a standard Class D or Class M driver’s license. A phone line has also been set up at 857-368-WFMA (9362) to relay information in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Mandarin, Haitian Creole, and Vietnamese. The agency said it will soon have materials translated into 15 languages, permits available in 35 languages, and interpreters (by phone and in person) available in more than 100 languages, is working to expand call center and customer service center staffing by 50 percent, and will have a vendor setup a customer service line specific to the new law.