Inspection and maintenance - Massachusetts

Massachusetts has adopted Part 396 of the Federal Regulations.

Part 396 applies to vehicles having a gross vehicle weight rating, gross vehicle weight, gross combination weight rating, or gross combination weight of 10,001 pounds or more that are used for the transportation of property, and vehicles transporting a placardable amount of hazardous materials.

The Registry of Motor Vehicles conducts a mandatory commercial motor vehicle inspection program for vehicles registered in Massachusetts.

Vehicles subject to this annual inspection program include vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) or gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of 10,001 or more pounds, single, full, or semi-trailers, used in commerce, with a manufacturer’s GVWR over 3,000 pounds, any size vehicles transporting a placardable amount of hazardous materials, passenger vehicles designed to transport more than 15 passengers including the driver, and converter dollies.

Inspections are conducted by a state-licensed inspector at a state-approved inspection site.

This mandatory inspection program is considered equivalent to the Federal annual inspection requirement in Part 396.