Car Registration Requirements for New Massachusetts Residents
New Massachusetts residents transferring an existing out-of-state vehicle must register their vehicle immediately upon establishing residency. Massachusetts law requires residents to complete this process without delay. The Registry of Motor Vehicles issues registration certificates, license plates, and expiration stickers after processing the required documentation and fees.
Timeline for New Massachusetts Residents
New residents must register their vehicle immediately upon becoming Massachusetts residents. The registration statute does not provide a grace period for new-resident registration transfers. Vehicle owners must obtain a safety inspection certificate within seven days of registration. Failure to register promptly may result in citation and inability to operate the vehicle legally on Massachusetts roadways.
Title certificates are processed and mailed to the owner or lienholder within six to eight weeks of application submission.
Establishing Massachusetts Residency
Residency is established when an individual maintains a principal place of residence in Massachusetts. The Registry of Motor Vehicles determines residency based on factors including employment location, residential address, voter registration, and the location where the vehicle is principally garaged. Registration applications must include the complete residential address, including apartment or unit number when applicable, as required by statute.
Required Documentation for Car Registration in Massachusetts
Vehicle owners must submit the following documentation to register an out-of-state vehicle:
- Current out-of-state certificate of title showing ownership, or out-of-state registration if a lien exists and the state does not release the title
- Completed Application for Registration bearing the insurance agent's stamp, signature, and policy information
- Proof of Massachusetts automobile insurance meeting minimum coverage requirements
- Form MVU-29 for sales and use tax exemption, if applicable
- Payment of applicable fees
If a lien exists on the vehicle, owners must provide lienholder information and the out-of-state title number on the application. Leased vehicles require the current out-of-state title, completed application, and payment of all applicable fees. The leasing company must be registered with the Massachusetts Department of Revenue, and a power of attorney may be required.
Application Submission Methods
Applications may be submitted in person at any RMV Service Center location. Registration certificates, license plates, and rear-plate decals are issued immediately upon approval at in-person transactions. The Registry of Motor Vehicles does not accept mail submissions for new-resident registration transfers.
Massachusetts Vehicle Inspection Requirements
Massachusetts requires two inspection types for most vehicles: safety inspection and emissions testing. New registrations must obtain a safety inspection certificate within seven days of registration. Inspections must be performed at licensed safety inspection stations.
Safety inspections verify that vehicles meet equipment and operational standards established by state regulation. The standard inspection fee is $35.00 for passenger vehicles. Inspection certificates are valid for 90 days for new registrations and one year for annual renewals. Operating a vehicle without a valid inspection sticker constitutes a traffic violation subject to citation.
The Vehicle Emissions Inspection Program requires annual emissions testing for vehicles with onboard diagnostic systems manufactured within the past 15 years. Emissions testing includes on-board diagnostic checks for passenger vehicles and light-duty diesel vehicles, and opacity testing for heavy-duty diesel vehicles with gross vehicle weight ratings exceeding 10,000 pounds. The emissions test fee is included in the standard $35.00 inspection cost.
Registration Fees and Costs in Massachusetts
Massachusetts registration fees vary by vehicle type, weight, and registration period. The Registry of Motor Vehicles publishes a complete fee schedule listing all applicable charges.
Title and Registration Fees
The certificate of title fee is $75.00 for most vehicles. Standard passenger vehicle registration fees are $60.00 for biennial registrations. Motorcycle registration fees are $20.00 annually for standard motorcycles. Two-year registration periods are available for most vehicle classes at twice the annual rate.
Additional Costs
License plates are furnished without additional charge for standard registrations. Distinctive registration plates, including vanity plates and specialty designs, require supplemental fees ranging from $20.00 to $80.00 biennially.
The Massachusetts sales and use tax rate is 6.25 percent of the purchase price or National Automobile Dealers Association trade-in value, whichever is higher. Exemptions apply to vehicles owned in another state for more than six months prior to establishing Massachusetts residency. Owners claiming exemption must submit Form MVU-29 and supporting documentation.
The annual motor vehicle excise tax is assessed by the city or town where the vehicle is garaged. This tax is separate from registration fees and is billed directly by the municipality.
Contact Information
Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles
25 Newport Avenue Extension, Quincy, MA 02171
(Additional RMV Service Centers throughout the Commonwealth)
Phone: (857) 368-8000
Registry of Motor Vehicles
Vehicle Emissions Inspection Program
Telephone: (844) 767-8378
Massachusetts Vehicle Check
