Drivers look for answers on fees

REVERE – Joshua Martinez walked out of the local Registry of Motor Vehicles $276 poorer Thursday only to learn that the state agency is hiking a variety of fees.?We?re already paying a lot as it is. I don?t like the idea,” the Revere resident said.Beginning July 1, three fee increases take effect: Non-commercial vehicle registration fees jump from $50 to $60; annual inspections rise from $29 to $35 and the road test fee increases from $20 to $35.?I think it?s crazy,” said Chelsea resident Oscar Ruiz as he left the registry after paying $40 to abide by state laws governing motor scooter use.Dina Garcia spent money Thursday at the Registry branch to get new license plates for her car. Her main concern is not fee hikes but how the money is spent.?I hope they apply it to the roads,” she said.State transportation spokeswoman Sara Lavoie said registration fees were last hiked in 2009 and 1999 was the last time inspection fees were hiked.?It?s been more than 10 years since the road test fee went up,” she stated in an electronic mail.The state Department of Transportation board of directors approved the fees on Wednesday “to close a projected $55 million budget gap and make needed improvements to the Commonwealth?s transportation system,” according to a board statement.Johanes Mkamwa said that if the Registry is going to hike fees, it needs to provide the public with detailed explanations for expenses.?We need to see what they are spending,” he said.Martinez paid for new plates, a title and state taxes during his Registry visit on Thursday, but Malden resident Mkamwa walked in and out of the Revere branch without spending a dime – he returned a set of plates he is no longer using.