RMV Announces Enhancements to Commercial, School Pupil Permit Exams

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BOSTON — The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) announced enhancements to its Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP) General Knowledge Exam and its School Pupil Transport (7D) Learner's Permit Exam. The updates are designed to strengthen public awareness of human trafficking and expand language access for applicants across Massachusetts. 

"These enhancements reflect our continued commitment to both public safety and equitable access for Massachusetts' residents," said Massachusetts Registrar of Motor Vehicles Colleen Ogilvie. "By equipping commercial drivers with tools to identify human trafficking and expanding language access for school pupil transport applicants, we are ensuring that these drivers are better equipped to be both safe and responsible when on the road."  

New Human Trafficking Awareness Content for Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP) Applicants

The RMV has introduced a new public service announcement (PSA) at the start of the Commercial Learner's Permit General Knowledge Exam. The PSA is designed to help commercial drivers recognize and report signs of human trafficking, which is often hidden, affects and impacts individuals of all ages, backgrounds, and communities.  

Developed in partnership with Truckers Against Trafficking (TAT), the PSA provides guidance on:  

  • Indicators of potential trafficking 
  • Questions to ask when encountering suspicious situations 
  • How to safely report concerns 

This content is now available in English, Spanish, and Portuguese to ensure broad accessibility for commercial permit applicants. 

Expanded Language Access for School Pupil Transport (7D) Applicants

The RMV has also expanded the School Pupil Transport (7D) Learner's Permit Exam into Portuguese and Haitian Creole, which was previously only accessible in English and Spanish. These new translations will help ensure that more applicants responsible for transporting school-aged children can complete the exam in their primary language. 

In addition, the RMV is translating the 7D Driver's Manual into Portuguese and Haitian Creole. Once complete, these versions will be posted on the RMV website. 

For more information, visit Mass.Gov/RMV

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Recent E. Coli Detection in Pontoosuc Lake Confined to Lanesborough

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass.— Only Lanesborough's portion of Pontoosuc Lake had a bacterial exceedance last week. 

During the Lake Management Commission's second meeting on Thursday, members received an update on the situation. 

On July 22, the Lanesborough Board of Health closed the Sunrise Street and Narragansett Avenue beaches due to high E. Coli levels.  They have since cleared. 

"We didn't have any bacterial exceedance in Pittsfield, so there's no concern at all last week for any E. coli concerns in Pittsfield,” Parks, Open Space, and Natural Resources Manager James McGrath reported. 

Regular monitoring for bacterial exceedances at swimming beaches across the Commonwealth is required.  Pittsfield's Board of Health tests Pontoosuc and Onota Lake weekly on Wednesdays throughout the summer. 

Lanesborough also conducts weekly testing through its Board of Health, and an exceedance was reported to the state at Sunrise Beach, at the very north end of Pontoosuc Lake. 

McGrath noted that he did not see Narragansett Beach on the state's dashboard. 

"The City of Pittsfield was made aware of the bacterial exceedance and we, of course, were concerned,” he said. 

"Our weekly testing happened the next day on Wednesday. Our results were returned Thursday morning. We did not have a bacterial exceedance at Pontoosuc Lake Park, where we test off of the wall on the north side of the channel, and also proximate to the boat ramp, at this point in time.” 

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