MMVIA Registry Inspectors

Welcome to the new MMVIA Registry Inspectors website, your definitive guide to the history of the Registry Inspectors in Massachusetts from 1907 to 1992. The Registry Police were eliminated with 3 other agencies in 1992. Our website offers details and records of their service to the public.
THE HISTORY OF THE MASSACHUSETTS REGISTRY OF MOTOR VEHICLE INSPECTOR Click Here to Access the Book
We wish all a very Happy New Year
The MMVIA Annual meeting was held on September14th in Grafton at the POST OFFICE PUB 1 Ray Street, Grafton, MA. For more information email the secretary @ msp-0153@atmc.net
Registry Headquarters Nashua Street Boston, MA
Pictures such as above when possible are credited to the provider, however, oversight might ocurr from time to time.
OFFICERS
Officers of the MMVIA and their contact info
PHOTOS
Library of pictures from the early days to the merger.
memory wall
Names and dates of service
upcoming meetings
September 2025

Accident Investigations

Our FATAL TEAM INSPECTORS were considered the "BEST" and as required by motor vehicle law, investigated fatal and serious accidents throughout Massachsuetts, reporting the results to the REGISTRAR OF MOTOR VEHICLES.

Our DUTY

Radio Room Transmissions
FATAL TEAM
CODE 16

overview

creation
Our expertise was Motor Vehicle Law and Accident Investigation. We were called on by many police departments across the state to assist with enforcement and accident investigations.
Merger
As part of a master plan to consolidate law enforcement in Massachusetts, the Registry's Law Enforcement Section merged with three other agencies; the Massachusetts State Police, Capital Police and MDC Police on July 1,1992 making a new Department of State Police Force of over 2400
history
April 1907 signified a new course of action for the Massachusetts Highway Commission. In the interest of safety, the first two examiners, Fred Austin and Chauncy Hubbell were hired to test all applicants requesting a chauffeur's license. Austin tested in Boston and surrounding communities, while Hubbell conducted exams in other locations in the state travelling to distant points by train and staying over night when necessary in order to conduct these exams. In 1908, Colonel Foote and Paul Weinert were appointed as investigators of "fatal accidents". In 1912, the first civil service examination was given for the position of examiner and for the first time, a badge was issued to the examiner to identify his position. The badge had a silver background with the word "Inspector" across the top as seen to the left. Since 1907 up and until 1992, Inspectors served the residents of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the Registry of Motor Vehicles with pride and distinction. Attempts to eliminate Registry Inspectors using statements such as it would "eliminate duplication and result in overall cost savings and improve law enforcement " resulted in the merging of four law enforcement organizations !
We continue to see the Registry attempting to recreate the position of "inspector". While it is flattering, will it once again be a duplication of law enforcement ? The last change accomplished in 2007 removed law enforcement from school bus inspections ! While changes continue to be made at the Registry, the loss of the knowledge base on motor vehicle laws and regulations remains a constant problem. With change comes change.The years of study and experience by these Inspectors on motor vehicle laws and regulations, and what they brought to RMV continues to disappear with each passing day. We continue to see uniformed Registry "Safety Inspectors" appear on television news segments doing what we as Inspectors did best , but wearing uniform coveralls and windbreakers. Many of us can remember how we had difficulty in getting these items ! In 2008, we see another story regarding the Registry of Motor Vehicles telephone call wait times. Maybe some day someone will get it, that adequate staffing will do the job. But then again, they did not believe us when we said it ! It is apparent that the state still did not get it, that it could not afford to lose any more knowledgeable people, and still continue to operate effectively sadly no more inspectors are left at the RMV ! 32 +years later, we still remember ! While we did not agree with the need to MERGE, we are proud of what we did up to 1992, then during and after MERGING and still do now.

CONTACT US

Please contact the webmaster, if you have information regarding any Former or Retired Inspector, who is not feeling well, and who might like a card sent.
A name(s) will not be posted on this site. An email, however, will be sent out as a general broadcast to Former and Retired Inspectors who have indicated they would like to receive notification regarding Former and Retired Inspectors.
When emailing the webmaster, please place in the subject line the word "Inspector"
Inspector Tony Rolli
Contact Info
Working Hours
Mon-Fri: 9:00 am – 6:00 pmSat-Sun: 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
We continue to make addjustments and add new information to this site. Any comments or information regarding the Registry Police, should be directed to the email address listed above.
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