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Transfer your registration to a vehicle or trailer purchased from a dealer

If you own a vehicle or trailer and purchase a new vehicle or trailer from a dealer, you may transfer your registration to the newly acquired vehicle.
Massachusetts allows a grace period of 7 calendar days from the date you dispose of your previous vehicle to register your newly acquired vehicle.

Contacts

Registry of Motor Vehicles

Online

Ask the RMV Ask the RMV 

The Details   of Transfer your registration to a vehicle or trailer purchased from a dealer

What you need   for Transfer your registration to a vehicle or trailer purchased from a dealer

To transfer your vehicle registration to your newly purchased vehicle, you will need:

After completing the transaction, you will receive a registration certificate with the new vehicle information. 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.

Fees   for Transfer your registration to a vehicle or trailer purchased from a dealer

Please note that 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 transfer   Transfer your registration to a vehicle or trailer purchased from a dealer

Massachusetts Dealer Purchase

  1. Have the dealer complete and sign an Application for Registration & Title.
     
  2. 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.

  3. The completed application must be accompanied by 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 and bill of sale for vehicles that are exempt 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.

Individual registration drop-off services, which temporarily replaced B2B services during the State of Emergency, will no longer be available at RMV Service Centers.

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, the sales tax will be calculated at 6.25% of the purchase price or the National Automotive Dealer Association (NADA) trade-in value, whichever is higher.

Out of State Dealer Purchase

  1. You must go to a licensed Massachusetts insurance agent to obtain an active insurance policy and have the agent complete, stamp and sign an Application for Registration & Title.

    If there is a lien against the vehicle, please make sure the lienholder information is complete and accurate.

  2. The completed application must be accompanied by 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 and bill of sale for vehicles that are exempt because of their age.

3. Take the completed application and supporting documents to the RMV Service Center.

If the dealer is not registered with the Department of Revenue, the sales tax will be calculated at 6.25% of the purchase price or the National Automotive Dealer Association (NADA) trade-in value, whichever is higher.

Next steps   for Transfer your registration to a vehicle or trailer purchased from a dealer

Vehicle Inspection

You must obtain a vehicle inspection sticker within 7 days of the registration date.

More info   for Transfer your registration to a vehicle or trailer purchased from a dealer

7 Day Transfer Law

Grace Period for Registration Transfers after Vehicle Purchase:

If you already own a vehicle or trailer, and buy a new one from a dealer or a used vehicle or trailer from an individual, you can transfer your registration to the new vehicle. Massachusetts allows a grace period of 7 calendar days from the date you dispose of your previous vehicle to register your new one.

Under this grace period, the following conditions must be met:

  • You must be at least 18 years old
  • The new vehicle or trailer must be of the same type and have the same number of wheels as the previous one
  • You must carry the transfer documents, which show the registration number to be transferred, in your vehicle
  • You must have lost possession of or disposed of your previous vehicle
  • The registration plates must be attached to the newly acquired vehicle

There is no grace period if you do not currently have a registered vehicle or trailer. The RMV does not issue temporary registration plates.

Downloads   for Transfer your registration to a vehicle or trailer purchased from a dealer

Open PDF file, 229.97 KB,  Vehicle Purchased from Dealer Checklist (English, PDF 229.97 KB)
Open PDF file, 761.99 KB,  Registration and Title Application (English, PDF 761.99 KB)

Contact   for Transfer your registration to a vehicle or trailer purchased from a dealer

Online
Ask the RMV Ask the RMV 

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