Welcome to Massachusetts! Now that you’re a resident of the Bay State, it’s time to transfer your out-of-state registration to MA.
As a new resident, it's crucial to register your vehicle almost immediately after establishing residency in Massachusetts. There is no grace period, although there are a few exceptions. This process is not just a formality, but a legal requirement that ensures your compliance with state law and helps you avoid penalties.
The vehicle registration process can seem complex and time-consuming. Our team at Oak Grove Insurance wants to help you make this transition as painless as possible.
At Oak Grove Insurance, we’ve assisted numerous vehicle owners in registering their cars from out of state. We specialize in helping you meet the MA insurance requirements and guide you through the Registration and Title Application form, making the process smoother for you.
The RMV treats transferring your vehicle registration the same as a new registration. We’ll share the steps for obtaining your MA vehicle registration.
Massachusetts has the second lowest uninsured motorist rate of any state. All registered vehicles in Massachusetts are required to maintain a Massachusetts auto insurance policy. In fact, vehicle owners must provide proof of insurance at the time of registration.
The Massachusetts auto policy must meet the state’s minimum coverage requirements. While the minimum coverage is state-mandated, it likely does not meet your unique insurance needs. Obtaining the appropriate coverage limits is vital to protect yourself and your loved ones in a car accident.
Obtaining your new Massachusetts car insurance policy may actually be less expensive than what you previously paid. It's a good idea to explore your options with several providers, and our agency represents several car insurance companies. We're here to help you save time and money, while ensuring you have the right coverage to protect yourself and your loved ones in the event of a car accident.
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The Massachusetts RMV performs many functions. Among them is ensuring proper registration of vehicles in Massachusetts. This requires verification of identification, proof of ownership, and confirmation of an active Massachusetts auto insurance policy.
Let’s review the documentation required to transfer your registration to Massachusetts.
The Registration and Title Application (RTA) form is required for nearly all RMV vehicle transactions, including title and registration. The RTA consists of information from all the supporting documents.
The RMV only accepts fully and accurately completed RTAs. Here is a review of the most commonly used RTA fields for a vehicle title and registration:
As previously discussed, the RTA can be used for many transactions. This section indicates which transaction you wish to perform.
The Massachusetts RMV needs to know which vehicle you are registering. The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) listed on the RTA must match the supporting documentation. This unique identifier includes essential information about your specific vehicle.
Provide additional information about the vehicle, such as its color, current odometer reading, and fuel type.
The Massachusetts RMV must verify that the out-of-state title is active. This ensures that there is only one active title for the vehicle, and the out-of-state DMV can be notified when the title is officially transferred to Massachusetts.
Each field in this section must reflect the title you are converting. If your vehicle is financed and you need a physical copy of the vehicle title, you may need to contact the financial institution for this information.
If this is a leased vehicle, skip this section and go straight to E. Lessee Information / In Custody Of.
Otherwise, this section must be completed with the owner(s) information. The owner(s) must match the prior title. Additional owner information should reflect the current information. For example, if you’ve recently moved to Massachusetts, you should include your current address in Massachusetts.
Note: If you want to change vehicle ownership, you can do so when registering the vehicle in Massachusetts. The steps may vary slightly from those outlined in this article.
If this is not a leased vehicle, then skip this section.
Otherwise, this section must be completed with the lessee(s) information. This section should reflect current information about the lessee(s). For example, the Lessee Address field should reflect the lessee's current address.
Business Owner Information
If this is not a leased vehicle, then skip this section.
Otherwise, this section must be completed with the lessor’s information.
In most cases, the garaging location is your residential address.
This section determines which city or town will collect your annual excise tax (welcome to Tax-achusetts!). The excise tax rate is the same in each city and town as the state sets the rates.
Complete this section for financed vehicles only.
Please skip this section if there are no changes to vehicle ownership.
This section should reflect information from your original purchase of this vehicle. This information determines if any sales tax is owed to Massachusetts. In most cases, sales tax is not owed.
This is our favorite section. 🤓
This section must be completed by a licensed Massachusetts insurance agent. The agent will affix a stamp and signature to confirm that a Massachusetts auto insurance policy covers the vehicle.
Traditionally, a physical rubber-and-ink stamp is used in this section. Oak Grove Insurance utilizes a digital stamp, providing our clients with added convenience.
Please skip this section if there are no changes to vehicle ownership.
Signatures from the vehicle owner(s) or lessee(s) must match either the Owner Information or Lessee Information / In Custody of section. These must be ink signatures (i.e., “wet”) – printed or copied signatures are unacceptable.
Proof of ownership is required to obtain a Massachusetts vehicle registration. This documentation serves as supporting documentation for several sections of the RTA, including Vehicle Information and Lienholder Information.
The original vehicle title is the best proof of ownership, but it may not always be available.
Providing the current vehicle title is the simplest way to prove vehicle ownership. If the vehicle isn’t leased or financed, it is the only acceptable proof of ownership.
If the vehicle is financed and coming from one of the following states, you must provide the vehicle title as proof of ownership: NY, KY, MN, MD, MO, or MT.
If the vehicle is leased and required to be titled in Massachusetts, you must provide the current vehicle title. It is the lessee's duty to obtain the title.
Most state DMVs will not issue a vehicle title for a financed vehicle. If this is the case, an active vehicle registration should be used as proof of ownership.
However, vehicle registrations transferred from the following states must provide the title as proof of ownership, whether or not the vehicle is financed: NY, KY, MN, MD, MO, or MT.
Once supporting documentation verifies the vehicle information, the information of the vehicle owner(s) or lessee(s) must also be verified.
A list of acceptable documents can be found here: Identity requirements for vehicle registration | Mass.gov.
All fees and applicable taxes are due at the time of vehicle registration. For most vehicles, the total cost of the title and registration transaction will be $135. Additional costs may apply if you request special or vanity plates.
The standard, one-time fee for titling a vehicle in Massachusetts is $75.
The registration fee for standard Massachusetts plates is $60.
Additional fees may be required to obtain vanity plates, specialty plates, and plates featuring charitable organizations. For more information, please refer to the RMV Schedule of Fees.
After obtaining your Massachusetts auto insurance policy and gathering the necessary documents, it’s time to visit the Massachusetts RMV. No appointment is needed for a vehicle registration transaction.
You must schedule an appointment if you’d also like to transfer your driver’s license to Massachusetts.
Please refer to the RMV website for locations.
Ultimately, you’ll visit with an RMV clerk. They will receive the documents and begin processing the transaction. After a successful vehicle registration transaction, the clerk will hand you the new Massachusetts license plates and your vehicle registration.
Tip: Plan to visit the RMV when it first opens. Visits earlier in the day tend to have shorter wait times.
Congratulations! Your vehicle is now titled and registered in Massachusetts. But the fun isn’t over yet. Let’s review what happens next.
Following the vehicle registration, you need to attach the new license plates to your vehicle.
Keep the vehicle registration document in a safe place within the vehicle. Most residents keep their vehicle registration in the glove compartment.
Tip: Massachusetts does not require insurance ID cards. The MA vehicle registration is acceptable proof of insurance throughout the U.S., even in states that require insurance ID cards.
Every vehicle in Massachusetts is subject to an annual inspection. After registering the car, you have up to seven (7) calendar days to obtain a Massachusetts vehicle inspection. Many dealerships and gas stations throughout Massachusetts offer vehicle inspection services.
The RMV will mail out a physical title after the vehicle is registered. You can expect to receive the title within 6 - 8 weeks if there are no lienholders. If there is a lienholder, the title will be provided directly to them.
Now that your vehicle is titled and registered in MA, you can cancel the registration in the original state. This can typically be completed online on the original state’s DMV website.
To cancel the prior insurance policy, you may need to call the provider and cancel the policy over the phone. Some providers may allow you to cancel the policy online.
A: As a new resident, you must register your vehicle almost immediately after establishing residency in Massachusetts. There is no grace period, although there are a few exceptions.
A: You will need the following documents:
A: You must have a Massachusetts auto insurance policy that meets the state’s minimum coverage requirements. It's advisable to explore options with multiple providers to find the best coverage and rates. Oak Grove Insurance can help you find the right policy.
A: The total cost for the title and registration transaction is generally $135, which includes a $75 title fee and a $60 registration fee. Additional fees may apply for vanity or specialty plates.
A: Yes, providing the current vehicle title is the simplest way to prove vehicle ownership. However, if the vehicle is financed or leased, there may be specific state requirements for proof of ownership.
A: Yes, you need to visit the Massachusetts RMV to register your vehicle. No appointment is necessary for vehicle registration, but you will need one if you plan to transfer your driver’s license as well.
A: After registering your vehicle, you will receive new Massachusetts license plates and a vehicle registration document. You must also get a Massachusetts vehicle inspection within seven days and expect to receive the vehicle title by mail within 6-8 weeks.
A: After registering your vehicle in Massachusetts, you can cancel the registration and insurance in the original state. This can often be done online through the original state’s DMV website and your previous insurance provider’s website or by phone.
A: For more detailed information, you can visit the Massachusetts RMV website and review documents such as the RTA form, identity requirements, and the RMV Schedule of Fees.
A: If your vehicle is leased, specific sections of the RTA form must be completed with lessee and lessor information. Proof of ownership may require the vehicle title, especially if it is coming from certain states.
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