The RMV today is providing an update on the first six months of the Work and Family Mobility Act. Since the law went into effect on July 1, 2023, the RMV has issued 91,961 new learner's permits and 54,952 new, first-time driver's licenses to Massachusetts residents. 

BOSTON – The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) today is providing an update
on the first six months of the Work and Family Mobility Act (WFMA). Since the law went into
effect on July 1, 2023, the RMV has issued 91,961 new learner’s permits and 54,952 new, firsttime driver’s licenses to Massachusetts residents.

“Since the Work and Family Mobility Act was implemented in July, thousands of Massachusetts
residents have been able to get licenses helping provide access to friends, families, and their
communities,” said MassDOT Secretary and CEO Monica Tibbits-Nutt. “We are especially
proud of the language and interpreter assistance provided to applicants, underscoring our
commitment to helping all eligible applicants. We’d also like to thank our non-profit and
community partners for assisting the Registry with public education about the new law, which
helped to enhanced customer service options.”
“The RMV and its employees have worked hard to meet the challenge of increased demand for
appointments and credentials under the Work and Family Mobility Act,” said Registrar Colleen
Ogilvie. “We are grateful for the support from advocates and community leaders throughout this
process, and we are continuing to improve each step of our process.”
The amount of new learner’s permits represents an increase of 244 percent, and new driver’s
licenses represents an increase of 120 percent, when compared to the same time period in 2022.
In addition, 33,648 out of state conversions were processed.
To accommodate increased customer volumes, the RMV hired more than 250 front line staff and
road test examiners. In addition, the RMV expanded service by extending hours Monday through
Friday and offering appointments on Saturdays at many service center locations. The RMV
opened additional road test locations in Holyoke, Revere, Cambridge, Franklin, Worcester, and
Brockton, contracted temporary third-party providers to handle increased volume for those newly
eligible to obtain a license, and contracted with a driving school company to offer tests at their
business locations in West Boylston, Avon, and Framingham.
Over the past several months, the RMV has identified and created informational resources
specifically to help guide new customers as they begin the process to secure a Standard License.
To further support this effort, the RMV has also worked directly with immigration advocacy
groups, non-profit organizations, and impacted communities to facilitate and coordinate public
outreach and to solicit feedback on implementation efforts so that best practices can be
adopted.
“As leaders of the Massachusetts organizations that co-chaired the Driving Families Forward
coalition, we are proud that we were able to successfully fulfill our mission to pass the Work and
Family Mobility Act and see it through to full implementation this summer, thanks in no small
part to the active collaboration we received from the Registry of Motor Vehicles and the entire
Healey-Driscoll Administration,” said Lenita Reason, Executive Director of The Brazilian
Worker Center; Roxana Rivera, Assistant to the President of 32BJ SEIU. “Of course, the
biggest obstacle that many Massachusetts residents once faced in getting a driver’s
license was the longstanding linkage of driving privileges to immigration status. We were deeply
pleased that our governmental partners went beyond our expectations in their openness,
availability and willingness to quickly address issues around the successful implementation of
the new law that has removed that obstacle, so that our roads can be safer for everyone.”
“We are thrilled to see the real-life results of years of advocacy and perseverance. We thank the
Healey-Driscoll Administration and the Registry of Motor Vehicles for their partnership in the
rollout of the law – listening to community feedback, expanding access, and establishing best
practices so all people can drive safely,” said Laura Rótolo, field director, ACLU of
Massachusetts. “There is nothing like the smile on the face of a person who has just passed their
road test to remind us why this work is so important. We look forward to continuing to support
the implementation of this law with robust regulations and processes.”
The RMV also offers a pre-registering system that establishes a proactive process for booking
appointments. Rather than checking the RMV website for an appointment, customers will be
able to request an appointment online, and will receive an email with a unique link when an
appointment is available for them to schedule.
The RMV remains committed to providing quality services to all communities and has been
working diligently to develop informational resources, which include: 
• An informational website with helpful information on the WFMA, details
identification requirements and outlines steps which must be undertaken by eligible
individuals to get a Standard Class D or Class M driver’s license, including
successfully passing a vision screening, and scheduling separate appointments for a
learner’s permit and road test. This site was launched in 2023 because the Registry is
committed to supporting the needs of newly eligible applicants.
• A special informational phoneline, 857-368-WFMA (857-368-9362), to
hear messaging in multiple languages.
• Frequently Asked Questions and a public flyer for customers as they prepare
their applications.  

The RMV has also worked on additional ways to support residents by: 
• Translating materials into 15 languages, permits available in 35 languages, and
interpreters (phone and in-person) available in 100+ languages.
• Expanding call center staffing by 50 percent and adding a temporary, dedicated
WFMA inquiry line operated by a vendor with live customer service representatives.
• Expanding staffing at customer service centers by 50 percent and expanding
hours of operation at many locations to include Saturdays and some evening hours.
• More than doubling the number of road test examiners, adding temporary road
test sites, and expanding hours for road test operations at many locations.


For more information go to Mass.gov/WFMA or call (857) 368-WFMA (857-368-9326).