The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles has announced an innovative new notification program which will electronically remind Massachusetts license holders when their licenses are about to expire.

Yesterday, the RMV announced that it had contracted with, Sendza Inc., a Marlboro-based firm which specializes in electronic messaging to provide courtesy reminder messages regarding license expirations. This program replaces the paper expiration reminder notices which, until last October, were mailed out to Massachusetts Drivers.

The Registry was forced to discontinue mailing the expiration notices because of budget cuts. The RMV reported a savings of apporixmately $800,000 when it stopped mailing the courtesy reminders. Many criticized the move. However, given the state's fiscal situation, it was a responsible way to save a substantial amount of money.

The service will provide text, electronic mail, or a recorded voice message reminder 30 days prior to the expiration of the subscriber's license. Subscription is free and you can enroll via the Mass. RMV website. 

In an internal e-mail sent to Mass. RMV employees, Registrar Rachel Kaprielian has announced that the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles has contracted with an electronic messaging service to deliver e-mail, phone, or text message reminders regarding license expirations.

Last year, in an effort to save money, the Registry eliminated the practice of mailing reminder letters to customers. Consumers complained about this cost-saving measure. However, the Registry was faced with a huge budgetary shortfall and elimination of the courtesy reminder letters was one way to save money without reducing core and essential registry services. License expiration dates are printed on everyone's license and at least one insurance company implemented a program to notify its customers of license expirations.

The implementation of electronic courtesy notifications of license expirations is another example of the Registry effectively leveraging technology to save money while minimizing the impact of the budget cuts on its customers. Some of the Registrar's budget cuts and branch closings have been controversial. However, the new electronic reminder program shows that she is committed to delivering the highest level of service possible, even with drastic budget cuts.

More information regarding the RMV electronic license expiration reminder program will be posted as soon as it becomes available.

This new electronic reminder program is consistent with the Registry's expansion of technology by offering more services on-line via the Mass. RMV website. Through the site, users can pay citations, obtain instant access to driving records, sign up for the Fast Lane, check the status of a Mass. license or permit, order special plates, renew or replace driver's licenses, and conduct a variety of other transactions.