['Registration and Permits - Motor Carrier']
['Vehicle Registration Permits']
03/12/2025
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All motor vehicles operated within Massachusetts must be registered unless otherwise exempt. To register a vehicle in Massachusetts, bring proof of insurance, the vehicle title, an odometer disclosure statement, and payment for your registration fees to your local Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) office.
All vehicles registered in Massachusetts must pass a yearly vehicle inspection. Newly purchased vehicles must be inspected within seven days of registration. Inspection costs $35 for most vehicles; however, inspection stations can charge more for commercial vehicle inspections. Driving any motor vehicle without a valid inspection sticker is a traffic violation. It may result in a fine and affect your insurance rate.
Agency: Registry of Motor Vehicles; see Regulatory Agencies for address(es).
License plate display
Massachusetts requires license plates to be securely attached to the front and rear of the vehicle. The license plates should be clearly visible and unobstructed, ensuring that the registration numbers and letters are eligible from a reasonable distance.
If only one license plate is issued, it must be displayed on the rear of the vehicle. Trailers only need to attach one license plate to the rear of the vehicle.
International Registration Plan
Massachusetts is a member of the International Registration Plan (IRP). The IRP is a base state system for vehicle registration fees allowing a carrier to apply for vehicle registration and pay fees to a single jurisdiction.
Motor vehicles that qualify for apportionment consist of the following:
- A power unit having two axles and a gross vehicle weight (GVW) or registered weight in excess of 26,000 pounds;
- A power unit having three or more axles, regardless of weight; or
- A unit used in combination when the weight of such combination exceeds a GVW or 26,000 pounds.
Temporary permit: A temporary trip permit is available in lieu of IRP plates for travel within the state. The permit has a fee of $15 and is valid for 72 hours.
A temporary cab card is also available for certain Massachusetts IRP transactions. The temporary cab card will be available to carriers in good standing for adding jurisdictions, amending weight, adding a fleet to an existing account, and processing a fleet to fleet transfer. A temporary cab card, for example, won't be available if you are registering and titling a vehicle. The sales tax, title fees, and registration fees must be paid in full prior to receiving credentials.
Agency: Massachusetts Department of Transportation, Registry of Motor Vehicles.
Fees: IRP registration fees will vary. Fees are based upon mileage and weight information submitted by the carrier.
Other
Reciprocity
Massachusetts grants full interstate reciprocity on vehicle license and registration to carriers from all non-IRP states and provinces.
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Copyright 2025 J. J. Keller & Associate, Inc. For re-use options please contact copyright@jjkeller.com or call 800-558-5011.