RMV enlists private company to email reminders

BOSTON ? In an effort to trim its budget, the state Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) is partnering with a private communications company that will send emails, voice mails or text messages to motorists, reminding them to renew their driver’s license or register their vehicles.The RMV last November stopped mailing letters to drivers with notification that their license is about to expire, a decision that purportedly saves the agency $800,000. Instead, as part of a pilot program, the RMV will employ the services of Marlborough-based Sendza to issue reminders about renewals of licenses, vehicle registrations and inspections.RMV officials assured the public that Sendza will not have access to drivers’ personal information.The change comes at a difficult time for North Shore residents because the agency is deciding whether to close the Beverly branch, leaving the Revere branch to service area drivers. Lines at the Revere branch often extend out onto the sidewalk.The Beverly branch was opened in 1996 and scheduled to close last Sept. 11, but the RMV has held off on that plan until another North Shore branch is located and opened. RMV spokeswoman Ann Dufresne said the agency continues to inspect various rent-free properties for a new “Beverly-area” branch, noting that the office will not be in Beverly.In order to take advantage of the Sendza services, drivers must sign up at least 45 days before the next upcoming expiration of their license or registration.Arbella Insurance Group, the state’s third-largest private passenger auto insurer, announced Friday it has become the charter sponsor of the pilot plan, known officially as the RMV’s new License Renewal Notification Program. The company will immediately begin enrolling eligible drivers.The pilot program, the first of its kind in the country, notifies drivers via voice, text and email.”This program is good for us and good for drivers in the commonwealth who are used to being automatically notified that their license is about to expire,” said John Donohue, chairman, president and CEO of Arbella. “We like to be part of innovative local programs that support the consumers and drivers in our state.”Notification messages are generated monthly, informing eligible drivers that their license is due to expire the following month. To become eligible, drivers must register online at www.mass.gov/rmv. The opt-in program, available to both standard and commercial license holders, provides drivers with a way to register and choose their notification contact method.”In a Web 2.0 world, more services like license renewal notifications that were once taken for granted will be augmented by the private sector in innovative ways and at no cost to consumers,” said John Bernardi, executive vice president of sales at Sendza. “This program is a great demonstration of the power of message communications to keep consumers informed and, more important, legally licensed.”