To register a car as an antique in Massachusetts, the vehicle must be more than 25 years old and kept solely for exhibitions, club activities, parades, and similar public-interest events. Registering an antique vehicle in Massachusetts means filing a registration application with the Registry of Motor Vehicles along with a sworn affidavit stating the vehicle’s age and confirming it will not be used for the routine transportation of people or goods.1M.G.L. c. 90, § 1. Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 90, Section 1
Who Qualifies for Antique Registration
State law defines an antique motor car as any motor vehicle over 25 years old. The antique designation is not automatic based on age alone. The car must be maintained for exhibitions, club activities, parades, or other functions of public interest, and it cannot be a daily driver used to move people or goods on a regular basis.1M.G.L. c. 90, § 1. Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 90, Section 1
What to File With the RMV
The core document for antique status is the owner’s affidavit. It must state the age of the vehicle and confirm that it will only be used for the purposes the statute allows.1M.G.L. c. 90, § 1. Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 90, Section 1 That affidavit accompanies the registration application and proof of insurance stamped and signed by an agent.2Mass.gov. Apply for a registration and title for a vehicle purchased from an individual
Titling runs on a parallel track. The RMV requires a completed title application, proof of ownership, and a $75 title fee. Proof of ownership is normally the previous owner’s certificate of title, but for vehicles old enough to be exempt from titling, the RMV may accept the previous registration together with a bill of sale.3Mass.gov. Apply for a certificate of title The standard passenger registration fee is $60, though the total can shift depending on the plate type selected.4Mass.gov. A guide to purchasing a specialty environmental license plate
Inspection and Emissions
Every vehicle registered in Massachusetts must pass an annual inspection.5Mass.gov. Vehicle inspections Safety checks apply to antiques the same as any other car. Emissions testing is where age matters: vehicles at least 15 model years old may not be required to undergo certain emissions checks under the state’s vehicle check program.6310 CMR 60.02. 310 CMR 60.02 – Massachusetts Vehicle Check Program
Insurance Minimums
You cannot register any vehicle in Massachusetts, antique or otherwise, without carrying at least the state’s compulsory coverage. That baseline includes:7Mass.gov. Basics of auto insurance
- Bodily injury to others
- Personal injury protection (PIP)
- Uninsured motorist coverage
- Damage to someone else’s property
Penalties for Driving Unregistered
Chapter 90 requires every motor vehicle on a public way to be registered. A first offense of driving an unregistered vehicle carries a fine of up to $100, and subsequent offenses can reach $1,000.8General Court of Massachusetts. Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 90, Section 9
Engine Swaps and Major Modifications
If you have replaced the original engine or made other significant alterations, the car may face different inspection requirements or a changed emissions classification. State rules set out how a vehicle must be inspected when its engine has been swapped for a different model, so keep records of any major work.6310 CMR 60.02. 310 CMR 60.02 – Massachusetts Vehicle Check Program