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Old 08-16-2022, 07:50 PM
 
Location: Boston, MA
3,973 posts, read 5,770,752 times
Reputation: 4738

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Quote:
Originally Posted by Chris92881 View Post
Update: I'll warn anyone hoping up renew their license or ID by setting up an appointment at your local RMV location using their online system, good luck. They strongly advise when starting your application for a REAL ID that an appointment should be made to complete the transaction in-person using their online appointment portal. It's a mess. I wasn't able to find one available slot in the six or seven different locations I searched for earlier today. I've still got six weeks, so I'm not concerned, but still. They don't make it easy at all. I may take my chances later this week and just show up at like 8am hoping to beat the crowd and avoid the appointment scenario altogether.

Are you by chance a member of AAA? I did mine through them last year and while I still had to book an appointment ahead of time, the ordeal wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.
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Old 08-16-2022, 08:26 PM
 
Location: Massachusetts
15 posts, read 11,545 times
Reputation: 10
Quote:
Originally Posted by Urban Peasant View Post
Are you by chance a member of AAA? I did mine through them last year and while I still had to book an appointment ahead of time, the ordeal wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.
I saw you could do that if you had AAA. Sadly, I do not. I have something similar through my auto insurance.
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Old 08-17-2022, 06:03 AM
 
9,880 posts, read 7,209,711 times
Reputation: 11472
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chris92881 View Post
I saw you could do that if you had AAA. Sadly, I do not. I have something similar through my auto insurance.
Then join AAA - it's $40 for the year and you might get some benefit other than having more chances to get the REAL ID.
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Old 08-17-2022, 06:09 AM
 
5,109 posts, read 2,666,387 times
Reputation: 3691
I'd like to know why the Commonwealth is tacitly supporting and effectively favoring AAA over other businesses. Seems like an endorsement.
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Old 08-17-2022, 06:39 AM
 
Location: Westwood, MA
5,037 posts, read 6,923,971 times
Reputation: 5961
Quote:
Originally Posted by bostongymjunkie View Post
I'd like to know why the Commonwealth is tacitly supporting and effectively favoring AAA over other businesses. Seems like an endorsement.
AAA is willing to do the work of the commonwealth for less than they could do it themselves. I'd say the level of "Commonwealth support" is about the same as the ads you get on registration renewals or the coffee shops inside of MBTA stations.
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Old 08-17-2022, 06:45 AM
 
Location: Needham, MA
8,545 posts, read 14,022,910 times
Reputation: 7939
Quote:
Originally Posted by bostongymjunkie View Post
I'd like to know why the Commonwealth is tacitly supporting and effectively favoring AAA over other businesses. Seems like an endorsement.
Why does the commonwealth allow some insurance agencies to issue plates while others cannot?

Honestly if there was another private entity that stepped up and was willing to offer registry services in a fashion that saves the state money, I'm sure the commonwealth would be on board. Registry services just happens to fit nicely into AAA's business model.
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Old 08-17-2022, 06:54 AM
 
23,561 posts, read 18,707,417 times
Reputation: 10824
Quote:
Originally Posted by MikePRU View Post
Why does the commonwealth allow some insurance agencies to issue plates while others cannot?
They do? Never heard of that.
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Old 08-17-2022, 06:56 AM
 
3,079 posts, read 1,544,801 times
Reputation: 6243
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chris92881 View Post
Update: I'll warn anyone hoping up renew their license or ID by setting up an appointment at your local RMV location using their online system, good luck. They strongly advise when starting your application for a REAL ID that an appointment should be made to complete the transaction in-person using their online appointment portal. It's a mess. I wasn't able to find one available slot in the six or seven different locations I searched for earlier today. I've still got six weeks, so I'm not concerned, but still. They don't make it easy at all. I may take my chances later this week and just show up at like 8am hoping to beat the crowd and avoid the appointment scenario altogether.
if you have a passport than you dont need a REAL ID and you dont have to jump thru 20 hoops!
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Old 08-17-2022, 06:57 AM
 
5,109 posts, read 2,666,387 times
Reputation: 3691
Quote:
Originally Posted by MikePRU View Post
Why does the commonwealth allow some insurance agencies to issue plates while others cannot?

Honestly if there was another private entity that stepped up and was willing to offer registry services in a fashion that saves the state money, I'm sure the commonwealth would be on board. Registry services just happens to fit nicely into AAA's business model.
There's a special program for plate issuance and any company (including dealers) is eligible to meet the qualifications. If AAA locations were open to any resident of MA I would not have a problem with it. The fact that only AAA members can be served there for RMV Real ID service makes it different. The RMV is tacitly encouraging people to spend money at AAA to get better/faster service.
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Old 08-17-2022, 07:08 AM
 
15,796 posts, read 20,499,262 times
Reputation: 20974
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chris92881 View Post
Update: I'll warn anyone hoping up renew their license or ID by setting up an appointment at your local RMV location using their online system, good luck. They strongly advise when starting your application for a REAL ID that an appointment should be made to complete the transaction in-person using their online appointment portal. It's a mess. I wasn't able to find one available slot in the six or seven different locations I searched for earlier today. I've still got six weeks, so I'm not concerned, but still. They don't make it easy at all. I may take my chances later this week and just show up at like 8am hoping to beat the crowd and avoid the appointment scenario altogether.

I haven't gotten a Real ID yet simply due to laziness, but this sort of hassle seems very discouraging to me.
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