Mass RMV to Send Email Reminders Ahead of Vehicle Registration Expiration

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BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Transportation's Registry of Motor Vehicles today announced that it will begin sending email reminders to vehicle owners approximately 60 days in advance of their registration expiring.

The new e-mail reminders will supplement notices sent via mail to encourage vehicle owners to renew early and avoid a lapse in their registration. 

The RMV will begin sending emails on July 19 to vehicle owners with registrations expiring in September. In order to receive the e-mails, vehicle owners must have a current e-mail on file with MA RMV. Going forward, reminder emails will be sent monthly to customers whose registrations are set to expire in approximately 60 days.

"Each message will direct customers to renew online at Mass.Gov/RMV and will remind them to confirm their auto insurance, verify their mailing address is current, and resolve any outstanding obligations such as unpaid parking tickets, excise tax, or toll violations," said Massachusetts Registrar of Motor Vehicles Colleen Ogilvie. "By adding email reminders to our existing mailed correspondence, we are giving customers another timely reminder and encouraging them to renew early, make sure their information is up to date, and allow time to receive their new registration and plate decal in the mail before the current one expires."

The RMV expects to send approximately 180,000 to 230,000 registration renewal reminder emails each month. Customers are encouraged to renew online as soon as they receive their reminder. Renewing early does not change the registration expiration date. Once a renewal payment is successfully processed, the updated vehicle registration and license plate decal will be mailed to the mailing address on file.

Before renewing online, customers should make sure they have their license plate number, plate type, and a valid payment method available. Customers should also clear up any outstanding obligations, including unpaid parking tickets, toll violations, or unpaid municipal excise tax. In some cases, if updated proof of insurance is required, online renewal may not be available.

Customers who are not eligible to renew online will continue to receive a renewal reminder by mail with other renewal options.

The RMV also reminds customers to be alert for fraudulent messages. Official RMV email reminders will direct customers to renew through Mass.Gov/RMV. Customers should not click on suspicious links or provide payment information through unofficial websites. The RMV does not send text messages requesting payment.

 

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15 People Displaced in Pittsfield Home Fires

Staff Reports

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Fifteen people were displaced after 2-alarm home fires this weekend on Springside Avenue and Elaine Drive. 

On Friday evening, the Fire Department responded to a structure fire at 209 Springside Ave., which took a four-hour battle to extinguish and resulted in a partial roof collapse. The next day, on Saturday evening, crews knocked down a fire at 121 Elaine Drive in about an hour. 

The garage and part of the single-family home on Elaine Drive were gutted to the frame, along with a vehicle parked in the driveway. On Springside Avenue, the top level and porch of the multifamily were burned through.  

A GoFundMe has been started for the family of the Elaine Drive home, which includes several young children.  The fundraiser, with a $5,500 goal, explains they lost their home and all of their belongings. (iBerkshires.com does not confirm or endorse fundraisers; they are provided as information only.)

There were no civilian or firefighter injuries, and both incidents are under investigation.  One dog was rescued on Springside Avenue. 

On Oct. 10, around 6:15 p.m., PFD responded to the Springside Avenue home for a reported structure fire and saw a 2 1/2-story wood frame multifamily with a heavy blaze showing from the second-floor front porch, extending out. 

The building suffered a partial roof collapse, which prolonged extinguishment. The fire was brought under control after about four hours.

“An aggressive offensive attack was mounted by first arriving crews stretching hose lines into the building as well as primary searches that proved negative. Ladders were placed around the structure to provide access as well as escape if needed. An off-duty Fire Captain had also been on scene early in the incident to help evacuate the structure and rescue a dog,” PFD wrote in a press release. 

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