Photo: Kim Tunnicliffe (WBZ NewsRadio)
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — A new law that allows residents to apply for a driver's license regardless of immigration status is off to a hot start at Registry of Motor Vehicles offices statewide, according to government officials.
Speaking at the RMV at Haymarket Square, Gov. Maura Healey told reporters that since the Work and Family Mobility Act went into effect on July 1, the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles has issued 2,800 learner's permits, more than double the number of permits issued this time last year.
Healey said recent changes put in place by the Registry have made RMV offices well prepared to deal with the large influx of eligible applicants.
"We knew it was going to require new forms of IT, far more additional staff, multilingual capabilities," said Healey. "We also knew we needed to extend hours, be open on Saturdays and even evening hours, all of which has happened."
State Registrar of Motor Vehicles Colleen Ogilvie said there are some minor hiccups in the process, but they are working on a fix.
"Some of the communities still don’t understand the process or the need to make an appointment for a permit, so there’ll be some additional work we’ll do there," Ogilvie said.
WBZ's Kim Tunnicliffe (@KimWBZ) reports.
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