Massachusetts license plate laws require every registered passenger vehicle to display two plates issued by the Registry of Motor Vehicles, one on the front and one on the rear, kept clean and fully readable at all times. Trailers carry a rear plate only, and when the RMV issues a single plate for any vehicle, it goes on the rear.1General Court of Massachusetts. Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 90 – Section 6 Break the display rules and you face a civil fine; drive the car without valid registration at all and you’re facing a criminal charge.
How Plates Must Be Displayed
Under Chapter 90, Section 6, numbers and letters must stay legible. You cannot install any device, cover, frame, or coating that hides or distorts the plate. Tinted plastic covers, decorative frames that overlap characters, and anti-camera coatings marketed to defeat toll readers all violate the statute.1General Court of Massachusetts. Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 90 – Section 6
During hours when headlights are required, the rear plate must be illuminated well enough to read from 60 feet away.1General Court of Massachusetts. Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 90 – Section 6 A burned-out plate bulb is one of the most common reasons drivers get pulled over at night, and once an officer is at your window, everything else comes under scrutiny. Check that light when you check your brake lights.
Penalties for Plate and Registration Violations
Obscured or Improperly Mounted Plates
Fines for display violations under Section 6 can reach several hundred dollars, particularly where the obstruction looks intentional. Anti-camera sprays and tinted covers designed to defeat electronic toll readers draw some of the steepest penalties. Repeat offenders risk license suspension and vehicle impoundment.1General Court of Massachusetts. Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 90 – Section 6
Operating an Unregistered Vehicle
Driving, pushing, towing, or otherwise operating a motor vehicle without valid registration is a criminal offense under Chapter 90, Section 9. A first conviction carries a fine of up to $100. Subsequent offenses bring higher fines, and any conviction requires a court appearance since this is a criminal matter, not a civil traffic ticket.2General Court of Massachusetts. Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 90 – Section 9 The criminal classification surprises many people who assume expired registration ranks with a parking ticket. It does not. A conviction creates a criminal record.
Temporary and Non-Resident Plates
When a dealer sells you a vehicle and permanent plates aren’t ready, the dealer can issue temporary registration plates authorized by the RMV under Chapter 90, Section 2D. Proof of insurance and a completed registration application are required before those plates go on the car.
Out-of-state buyers purchasing from a Massachusetts dealer can get a non-resident short-term registration instead. These plates are valid for 15 days from the transaction date, long enough to drive the vehicle home and register it in your own state.3Mass.gov. Apply for a Non-Resident Short-Term Registration The fee is $20, and Massachusetts excise tax does not apply. The plates cannot be used for commercial purposes, including transporting passengers or goods.4Mass.gov. Non-Resident Short-Term Registration Expiration Date Change Communication
Transit permits are also available through the RMV for moving an unregistered vehicle, such as from a seller’s home to a repair shop. These permits are limited in duration and require proof of insurance and a stated reason for the trip.
Lost, Stolen, or Damaged Plates
If one or both of your plates are stolen, you must visit an RMV Service Center in person to get a new set with a new registration number. Stolen-plate replacements aren’t available online because the RMV cancels the old number entirely to prevent misuse.5Mass.gov. Order Replacement Vehicle License Plates
If a plate is missing or damaged but not stolen, you can order a replacement with the same number online. The RMV manufactures and mails the new plate within about 12 weeks and issues a Plate Permit to keep in your vehicle in the meantime.5Mass.gov. Order Replacement Vehicle License Plates
While waiting, what you do depends on which plate is gone. If the front plate is missing, create a temporary plate showing your plate number and attach it to the front. If the rear plate is missing, move your front plate to the rear, request a replacement expiration decal, and create a temporary plate for the front. These temporary measures must meet the same legibility and display standards as regular plates.5Mass.gov. Order Replacement Vehicle License Plates
If your vehicle is stolen along with the plates, or if the plates are destroyed in a fire, visit the nearest RMV office for a lost or stolen plates receipt. You’ll need that receipt to cancel your insurance policy and stop premium payments.6Mass.gov. Frequently Asked Questions about Auto Insurance Claims
Canceling Registration and Retiring the Plates
When you sell a vehicle, move out of state, or simply take a car off the road, you need to cancel the registration. You can do this online, by mail using the Affidavit for Cancellation of Registration, or at a Service Center. If the vehicle has two registered owners, both must sign the affidavit.7Mass.gov. Cancel Your Vehicle Registration (License Plates)
Here’s the step many people miss. Massachusetts does not require you to return the plates to the RMV. Once the registration is canceled, you must destroy the plates yourself: cut them in half and discard them, or bring them to your town’s recycling center if it accepts metal plates.7Mass.gov. Cancel Your Vehicle Registration (License Plates)
Keep the Registration Cancellation Receipt and send a copy to your insurance company. Your insurer needs it to cancel the auto policy and stop charging premiums. Skip this step and you can keep paying for insurance on a vehicle you no longer own.7Mass.gov. Cancel Your Vehicle Registration (License Plates)