Difference Between DMV and RMV

DMV vs RMV

DMV and RMV are terms used in the Unites States for state level government agencies which are responsible for registering vehicles and issue drivers licenses. In the United States, each state has its own state level government agency handling these responsibilities and has different names for it. The most common and understood by all is “DMV,” which stands for “Department of Motor Vehicles” and is used in many states. “RMV” stands for “Registry of Motor Vehicles” which is a term used in the state of Massachusetts only. Both agencies have similar functions and responsibilities; they provide the same service but in different states of the United States.

DMV
DMV, Department of Motor Vehicles, is a state level government agency which is responsible for issuing drivers’ licenses and renewals and also vehicle registrations. Some of the states where the DMV functions are; California, Connecticut, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, New York, South Carolina, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, District of Columbia.
In every state and all over Unites States, anyone who is a long-term resident of a state, a person living in the state for over 30 days, is supposed to have a driver’s license in order to operate any motor vehicle issued by the DMV or an equivalent agency. The motor vehicles also need to have license plates which are issued by the agency along with current registration stickers or tags.

The duties that the DMV enforces are federal and state laws regarding all motor vehicles. Many states have law enforcement officers within their ranks. In different states, there are different ways in which the DMV is situated in the state government’s structure. For example, in the District of Columbia, the DMV is within the structure of the city government. In Virginia, the DMV handles vehicle registrations as well as driver licensing.
Some of the responsibilities of the DMV are; driver’s license and identification, driver’s certification, vehicle registration, and vehicle ownership.

RMV
“RMV” stands for “Registry of Motor Vehicles.” It is a state level government agency which is responsible for processing the registration of motor vehicles and driver’s licenses. The RMV was earlier a state entity but now is administered by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT). MassDOT is responsible for overseeing roads, aeronautics, public transit and transportation, registration, and licensing in Massachusetts.

All residents of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts need to have an MA license in order to operate any vehicle in Massachusetts.

Summary:

1.“DMV” stands for “Department of Motor Vehicles”; “RMV” stands for “Registry of Motor Vehicles.”
2.Some of the states where the DMV functions are; California, Connecticut, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, New York, South Carolina, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, District of Columbia; RMV functions only in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
3.In different states there are different ways in which the DMV is situated in the state government’s structure; the RMV was earlier a state entity but now is administered by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT).

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