New RMV Immigrant Driving Law Results in Thousands of New Drivers
First Six Months of New Law Result in 91,961 New Learner’s Permits and 54,952 New Driver’s Licenses
Massachusetts is awash with new licensed drivers according to a recent six-month update on the effect of the Work and Family Mobility Act (WFMA) by the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV).
“Since the Work and Family Mobility Act was implemented in July, thousands of Massachusetts residents have been able to get licenses helping provide access to friends, families, and their communities,” said MassDOT Secretary and CEO Monica Tibbits-Nutt. “We are especially proud of the language and interpreter assistance provided to applicants, underscoring our commitment to helping all eligible applicants. We’d also like to thank our non-profit and community partners for assisting the Registry with public education about the new law, which helped to enhanced customer service options.”
According to data compiled by the RMV, the registry has issued 91,961 new learner’s permits and 54,952 new, first-time driver’s licenses to Massachusetts residents, since the law went into effect on July 1, 2023.
“The RMV and its employees have worked hard to meet the challenge of increased demand for appointments and credentials under the Work and Family Mobility Act,” said Registrar Colleen Ogilvie. “We are grateful for the support from advocates and community leaders throughout this process, and we are continuing to improve each step of our process.”
New license applications increased by 120%
Overall, the RMV says the amount of new learner’s permits represents an increase of 244 percent, while new driver’s licenses represent an increase of 120 percent, as compared to the same time period in 2022. In addition to these numbers, approximately 33,648 out of state conversions also were processed during this same time period.
To accommodate increased customer volumes, the RMV hired more than 250 additional front-line staff and road test examiners. It also expanded its service options by extending hours Monday through Friday and offering appointments on Saturdays at many service center locations. The RMV opened additional road test locations in Holyoke, Revere, Cambridge, Franklin, Worcester, and Brockton, contracted temporary third-party providers to handle increased volume for those newly eligible to obtain a license, and contracted with a driving school company to offer tests at their business locations in West Boylston, Avon, and Framingham.
