Federal agencies will continue to accept Massachusetts licenses and IDs for all official purposes

BOSTON --Wednesday, October 15, 2014 -- MassDOT Secretary & CEO Richard A. Davey and MassDOT Registrar of Motor Vehicles Celia J. Blue today announced the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has granted Massachusetts a REAL ID compliance extension. The one-year extension, granted on October 8, allows Massachusetts license and identification card holders to retain access to federal facilities. DHS established compliance enforcement deadlines in part to ensure states and other US territories were progressing to meet the requirements of the REAL ID Act.

“We have worked hard in recent months to demonstrate to Homeland Security that Massachusetts is making progress to enhance the security of our license and ID cards according to the requirements of the 2005 REAL ID Act,” said Secretary Davey.

"The Registry is committed to continuing its positive, productive relationship with Homeland Security," said Registrar Blue. "We are planning for and taking the necessary steps that will allow us to achieve full compliance in the future," said Registrar Blue.

DHS established compliance enforcement deadlines in part to ensure states and other U.S. territories were progressing to meet the requirements of the REAL ID Act.

Jurisdictions like Massachusetts that have been granted a compliance extension must reapply for an extension annually until full compliance is achieved and REAL ID credentials are issued. According to DHS, 26 states and territories have been granted a compliance extension.

As the Registry begins the procurement process for a new license vendor and continues to modernize its licensing and registration system, the requirements of the REAL ID Act are being incorporated into the framework of each project. Massachusetts is forecasting that full compliance may be achieved with the completion of the licensing module of the modernization effort, currently scheduled for 2017/2018. 

The Patrick Administration will file legislation to bring the state’s license expirations dates in line with those required under the REAL ID act in the coming weeks.

In addition to the licensing procurement and modernization projects, other ongoing efforts to bring Massachusetts into compliance with REAL ID include expanding and formalizing security training for frontline RMV employees, drafting new regulations and joining a 2016 effort to increase information sharing amongst states through the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators.

In 2009, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) was created to unify the state’s various transportation agencies. MassDOT now includes the Highway Division, the MBTA and Rail Transit Division, the Aeronautics Division, and the Registry of Motor Vehicles.  MassDOT is committed to providing a safe and reliable transportation system to all those who travel in the Commonwealth and works to deliver excellent customer service. MassDOT has been nationally recognized for its innovative approach to transportation, including the Accelerated Bridge Program, the “Where’s My Bus and Train?” apps and “Fast 14” work.  For more information, visit MassDOT at our website: www.mass.gov/massdot  blog: http://blog.mass.gov/transportation/, or follow MassDOT on twitter at https://twitter.com/MassDOT   and Facebook at www.facebook.com/massdotinfo.

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