BOSTON – A man from Virginia, who says the RMV is forcing him to register his car in Massachusetts, has received a 60-day extension.
Ben, who did not want his last name used, lives and works in Virginia. He came to visit his friends in Jamaica Plain for a month last year and parked on the street.
The RMV threatened to take away Ben’s driver’s license if he didn’t register his car in Massachusetts by Friday.
The RMV said under Chapter 90, section 3 of the Massachusetts state law, anyone who uses a vehicle in Massachusetts on any 30 days of the year, for any reason, is required to register their vehicle in the state.
“Technically this applies to millions of people, and just because some nosy neighbor snitched on me, I’m now caught up in this,” Ben told WBZ-TV. “There’s no way they can apply this to everyone. It’s crazy and really frustrating.”
Ben now has 60 days to register his car in Massachusetts and get a second license plate, otherwise his right to drive in Massachusetts will be suspended. The suspension will be reported in Virginia.
The extension gives Ben more time to appeal the decision, which he says he will do.
Now questions and concerns have been pouring in about registration laws in Massachusetts for out-of-state drivers.
“I think it’s kind of ridiculous,” said Johnnie Parker, a Texas registered driver. “It sounds just like a money grab.”
Some people asked what about out-of-state college students with their cars registered in another state?
Under the same state law, it says college students have to file a nonresident driver’s statement to the police department with their out of state registration information and insurance during the school year. If they don’t, they could face a $200 fine.
Boston University student Chris Tin, who is from Washington State, said it’s not fair especially considering the long wait times with the RMV.
“I know a lot of people they’re not happy with it,” said Chris Tin. “RMV is pretty much packed, sometimes the next available day is in two months or one month and half, so I don’t think it’s very practical.”
RMV officials say they are looking into our questions.
Source : CBSNews
