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Registry of Motor Vehicles
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The Details
What you need
To apply for a registration and title for a vehicle purchased from a dealer, you will need the following:
- A completed Registration and Title Application
- Proof of insurance
- Proof of ownership
- Correct payment
You will also need to meet the identity requirements when registering/titling a vehicle.
Leased vehicles and lessees – additional considerations
- The leasing company must be registered with the Massachusetts Department of Revenue. If the leasing company is not registered with the Department of Revenue, the application will be rejected until the leasing company registers
- A power of attorney is required from the leasing company if the customer/lessee is signing documents on behalf of the leasing company
Fees
You are responsible for registration fee, title fee, and 6.25% sales tax.
Registration fees vary by plate type. Refer to the RMV's schedule of fees for a list of RMV plate types and fees.
How to apply
Massachusetts dealer purchase
- Have the dealer complete and sign an Application for Registration and Title.
- You then must go to a licensed Massachusetts insurance agent to obtain an active insurance policy and have the agent stamp and sign the application. If there is a lien against the vehicle, please make sure the lienholder information is complete and accurate.
- The completed Registration and Title Application must be accompanied by the bill of sale and one of the following documents:
- A manufacturers certificate of origin (new vehicles only), or
- The previous owner's certificate of title, dealer re-assignment form if applicable, or
- The previous registration for vehicles that are exempt from title because of their age
4. If presenting the certificate of origin or the previous owner's title, be sure the date sold, the odometer reading and the purchase price have been completed on the back. The dealer or the previous owner(s) and you must sign the back of either of these forms.
5. Take the completed application and supporting documents to the RMV Service Center.
Customers are encouraged to continue to conduct RMV registration transactions by working through their insurance agents and auto dealers who are able to complete bulk transactions in-person through Business 2 Business (B2B) services (Chicopee RMV is strictly a B2B location and walk-ins cannot be conducted), electronically use the Electronic Vehicle Registration (EVR) Program.
A 6.25% sales tax will be collected at this time based on the purchase price of the dealer sale. If the dealer is not registered with the Department of Revenue or the vehicle was purchased through a private sale, the sales tax will be calculated at 6.25% of the purchase price or the National Automotive Dealer Association (NADA) clean trade-in value, whichever is higher. If no clean trade-in value is available a default value agreed upon by both the Registry of Motor Vehicles and the Department of Revenue will be used.
After completing the transaction, you will receive a registration certificate, new plates and a year of expiration decal for the rear plate. The title will be processed and mailed in approximately 6 to 8 weeks. If you have a loan on the vehicle, the title will be mailed directly to your lienholder.
Next steps
Vehicle Inspection
You must obtain a vehicle inspection sticker within 7 days of the registration date.
More info
Out of state dealer purchase
If you purchased the vehicle from an out-of-state dealer
- The dealer or you will register the vehicle in MA and get plates that you can use to drive the vehicle back to MA OR
- The dealer will give you a temporary out-of-state registration that you can use to drive the vehicle back to MA OR
- You can tow or transport your vehicle to MA
If you drive the vehicle back on a temporary out-of-stateregistration, MA will honor the temporary registration but the following conditions must be met
- The registration is temporary. Massachusetts residents can only use these temporary registrations to transport their vehicles back to Massachusetts
- The vehicle properly displays the temporary registration in accordance with Section 6 of Chapter 90 M.G.L.
- The vehicle carries motor vehicle liability insurance in an amount equal to or greater than the minimum limits set forth in Section 34A of Chapter 90 M.G.L.
- The vehicle carries property damage insurance in an amount equal to or greater than the minimum limit set forth in Section 34O of Chapter 90 M.G.L.
- Proof of insurance, meeting the minimum limits above, is kept in the vehicle at all times while operating on a temporary registration.
Once the vehicle is back in MA, make sure you promptly register and title your vehicle:
- MA law Section 4 of Chapter 90D M.G.L. requires you to apply for a certificate of title within 10 days
- Pay sales/use tax by the 20th of the month following purchase depending on the reciprocity agreement that state has with MA. For more information visit Motor Vehicle and Trailer Sales and Use Tax
Note that these deadlines are NOT extended by the validity of the out-of-state temporary registration
Information on Massachusetts Vehicle Excise Tax
An excise tax bill is generated annually for all active Massachusetts vehicle registrations. The RMV generates the excise tax bill; however payment is due to the city or town where the vehicle is garaged within 30 days from the issue date of the bill. You are responsible for payment of your excise tax even if you do not receive a bill. Interest and penalties accrue for outstanding bills.
If you change your address:
- Within Massachusetts, make sure you notify the RMV and your local tax assessor to ensure you receive your excise tax bill(s) at the proper address.
- Out of Massachusetts, make sure you cancel your plate(s) and vehicle registration to stop excise tax bills from being generated.
If you are no longer in possession of your vehicle or have taken your vehicle off the road, you must cancel your plate and registration to avoid an excise tax bill. This includes a vehicle that has been reported lost, stolen, a total loss, or repossessed.
If you have an outstanding excise tax bill, you may not be able to renew your driver’s license or vehicle registration, or obtain any other credential from the RMV.
For more details, visit the guide to Motor Vehicle Excise.