The Registry of Motor Vehicles moved across town last weekend, departing from their Chinatown gigs and moving into a newly renovated building at Haymarket.

The new flagship location has 27 counters, and unlike the Chinatown branch each counter can handle both licensing and registration, RMV Chief of Staff Sara Lavoie told the News Service. Word got out about the new branch, and the check-in line stretched down the hall.

Eric Gomes, of Roxbury, said he got to the branch early and the service was "good except for the little delays."

Gomes, who learned of the new location on a subway announcement, spent about 15 minutes getting a license renewal. Leonardo Nieves, an 18-year-old from West Roxbury, said he was the first customer at the branch. Nieves, who was at the branch for a learner’s permit, said the service was "pretty good," and the staff was "really friendly." Lavoie said the branch is the first branch with a "full service" EZ-Pass counter.

The branch also has several hearing officers on an upper floor, where drivers can seek to reinstate their licenses after a drunk-driving charge, pay fines or deal with other business. "

It’s built to enhance customer privacy," Lavoie said of the new branch, calling it "more organized" than the Chinatown location.

There will be a ribbon cutting Sept. 23.