MassDOT will be holding public hearings on the new fee structure in the spring
On March 12, 2014, the MassDOT Board of Directors voted to approve a rate increase for three Registry of Motor Vehicle Division fees. As a result, MassDOT is anticipating that the new fee structure will generate between $55 to $63 million dollars in additional revenue for Fiscal Year 2015.
MassDOT says that the money from the new rates will be used to close the projected $55 million dollar gap in the MassDOT budget. It was also use the increased revenue to make needed improvement to the Commonwealth’s transportation system.
“Transportation reform requires a collective approach to improving the Commonwealth’s transportation system,” said Registrar of Motor Vehicles Celia J. Blue. “The RMV fees collected will support road and bridge projects, improved customer service and allow MassDOT to properly fund its operating expenses.”
In 2013, the Massachusetts Legislature passed a transportation finance bill requiring the department to “…generate its ‘own source’ of revenue to help fund future budgets.” The following is an outline of the new increased fees:
- Non-commercial vehicle registration fees for motor vehicles will increase from $50 to $60 dollars.
- Annual motor vehicle inspections for your car’s sticker will also increase from $29 to $35, with one dollar of the new fee to be retained by the inspection station that conducts the inspection.
- The road test fee, generally a one-time fee for the majority of drivers, will increase $15 dollars from $20 to 35. MassDOT says portions of this increased fee will be used to help support improved customer service for first-time drivers.
While the new fee structure is scheduled to go into effect July 1st, take not that MassDOT will be holding public hearings on the fee increases this Spring before the fee increases actually go into effect.
