Massachusetts laws
MGL c. 90 Motor vehicles
- §§ 1F-1I Low speed vehicles law
- § 7N Lemon aid law (voiding sales contracts)
- § 7N 1/4 Used car lemon law
- § 7N 1/2 New car lemon law
- § 8 Work and family mobility act
Starting July 1, 2023, eligible residents in Massachusetts can obtain a Standard (Class D or M) driver's license, regardless of immigration status. - § 16 Offensive or illegal operation of motor vehicles
Regulates modifications for sound and lights.
MGL c. 90B, § 26 Minimum age is 14 to ride an ATV
MGL c. 90D Motor vehicle certificates of title
MGL c. 93K Right to repair law
MGL c. 111, § 142M Motor vehicle emissions inspection and repair
MGL c. 255, § 25 Garage keepers lien
MGL c. 255, § 26 Enforcement of garage keepers lien
MGL c. 266, § 120D Removal of motor vehicles from private ways or property; penalties; liability for removal and storage charges; release of vehicle
MGL c. 266, § 148 Sale of vehicle catalytic converters
St. 2022, c. 179, § 46 Bans the sale of new gas-powered vehicles (effective January 1, 2035)
Massachusetts regulations
201 CMR 11 New and used motor vehicle arbitration
310 CMR 60 Air pollution control for mobile sources
- 310 CMR 60.02 Vehicle emissions rules and exceptions
540 CMR Registry of Motor Vehicles
940 CMR 5 Motor vehicle consumer regulations
Federal laws and rules
Public Law 117 - 58 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act
Includes a section titled "Advanced Impaired Driving Technology," which directs the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to initiate the rulemaking process for setting a new automobile safety standard. This standard mandates that all new cars be equipped with "advanced drunk and impaired driving prevention technology" within three years of the issuance of the regulations.
Combating Auto Retail Scams (CARS) Rule, effective TBD.
Issued by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), this "[r]ule targets bait-and-switch tactics, junk fees; includes clear protections for military members, who are frequent targets for vehicle scams." Visit the FTC's page for more information. Note: The effective date of the final rule, which was originally July 30, 2024, is delayed indefinitely due to pending litigation.
Web sources
General information
Auto resources, Mass. Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation.
Includes Lemon Laws, Buying and Selling, Auto Loans, Auto Repair, Auto Insurance, and more.
Citizen's guide to the removal of motor vehicles from private property, Nantucket Police Department.
Explains how homeowners can get cars taken off their property.
Learn about automated driving systems in Massachusetts, Mass. Department of Transportation.
Includes information self-driving vehicles, the Executive order, Testing and Safety.
Buying, selling, leasing, and donating
Donating a car to charity, Mass. Attorney General.
Provides "tips to consider when deciding whether to donate your car to charity."
Your car, your rights, Mass. Attorney General.
"You are protected when it comes to buying, owning, and repairing your car. If you have been cheated, the Attorney General’s Office may be able to help." Includes:
Bill of sales
The Massachusetts RMV does not have an official bill of sale form. A sample motor vehicle bill of sale can be found in the following resource available through the law libraries:
Law forms for personal use, 12th ed., Nolo, 2023. (eBook available with library card)
Form: Motor vehicle bill of sale.
Lemon laws
Automobiles, Mass. Legal Help.
A collection of pages that explain what you can do if you buy a car that keeps breaking down or having problems, and how the Massachusetts Lemon Laws can help you.
A dealer’s guide to the Massachusetts used vehicle warranty law, Mass. Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation.
Guide to make sure new car sellers know the rules they have to follow. Information is also helpful to consumers.
Gliottone v. Ford Motor Company, 95 Mass. App. Ct. 704 (2019)
"Expert testimony is not always required to demonstrate that a vehicle has a nonconformity. In many circumstances ... a rational juror, without an expert, can understand the facts necessary to decide whether a plaintiff has demonstrated an actionable defect or malfunction."
Lemon laws, Mass. Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation.
Provides basic provisions of new, leased, used, failed inspection, and customized wheelchair lemon laws. Information about private party car sales, eligibility to receive compensation and applying for arbitration as well as a sample of final opportunity to repair letter.
Equipment, modifications, and repairs
Auto warranties & service contracts, Federal Trade Commission.
"Can a dealer refuse to honor the warranty that came with your new car if someone else does the routine maintenance or repairs?" The FTC says no.
Getting your car repaired, Mass. Attorney General.
Find licensed auto body and auto collision centers, learn your rights under the Attorney General's motor vehicle regulations, and what to do if you have a repair disagreement.
Massachusetts consumer guide: Mechanics of auto repair, Mass. Division of Standards.
Massachusetts vehicle check, Mass. Registry of Motor Vehicles and Mass. Department of Environmental Protection.
What vehicles need to be inspected.
Limited use and low speed vehicles
Low speed vehicles, Mass. Registry of Motor Vehicles.
Low speed vehicles have certain requirements and restrictions you have to be aware of in order to drive them in Massachusetts.
Mechanic's garage and stored vehicle (garageman's) liens
Involuntary transfers, Mass. Registry of Motor Vehicles.
Provides more information on mechanic’s garage and stored vehicle liens. "To transfer ownership, a copy of the court order is always required."
Recalls
Automobile recalls, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Gives details about recalls for cars and equipment from 1966 up to now.
Print sources
Automobile fraud: Odometer salvage, lemon laundering fraud, title abuses and yo-yo sales, 7th ed., NCLC, 2022.
Chapter 93A rights and remedies by Roger Bertling, 6th ed., MCLE, 2025.
Chapter 9: Motor vehicle complaints under Chapter 93A.
Handbook of civil procedure in the Massachusetts District Court, 5th ed., Lawyers Weekly, 2018 with supplement.
Chapter 19: Garage keeper and automobile repair liens.
The law of chapter 93A, 2nd ed., (Mass. practice v.52), Thomson/West, 2007 with supplement.
Section 9.3: Automobiles.
Massachusetts motor vehicle law and practice with forms, 5th ed., (Mass. practice v. 11-12), Thomson/West, 2021 with supplement.
Section 8:41: Repair liens.
Procedural forms annotated, 6th ed. (Mass. Practice v.10C), Thomson/West, 2009 with supplement.
Section 114:5: Complaint—Garage keeper's lien for storage and repairs.
Contact
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| Last updated: | November 13, 2025 |
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