All vehicles in Massachusetts must be registered with the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) and have a legal title. You have 30 days to register a new vehicle.
It's a legal requirement for all motor vehicles to display two license plates: one at the front and one at the rear. The rear license plate must also have a validity sticker.
Before purchasing a used car, it's wise to obtain a license plate lookup report. This report can help you identify any warning signs of a potentially fraudulent deal, saving you time, money, and the stress of falling victim to a scam.
Back in Time 🕰️
Massachusetts was the first state in the U.S. to issue license plates. The first license plate was issued in 1903 and was made of iron covered in porcelain enamel. The plate was simply numbered "1" and was issued to Frederick Tudor. This historic plate is still in existence today and is preserved by the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles. The introduction of license plates marked the beginning of standardized vehicle registration, which has since become a common practice across the country.
Where is the Massachusetts Plate Number?
Typically, you can find your plate number by checking the license plate attached to your car. However, if you need to look up your car's license plate number when you're away from your vehicle, it can also be found on the car's registration certificate.
License Plate Registration in Massachusetts
Under Massachusetts title law, all vehicles and trailers must be titled within 10 days of purchase, except for trailers weighing less than 3000 pounds, which are exempt from titling.
If you buy a vehicle from a private seller, you'll need the following documents to register it:
- Proof of identification
- A completed registration and title application
- The previous owner's certificate of title
- Payment of registration fees
For vehicles purchased from a dealership in Massachusetts, you must provide:
- Vehicle insurance coverage
- Personal identification
- A bill of sale confirming your ownership
- A filled-out registration and title application
- Payment of registration fees
If you've moved to Massachusetts with an out-of-state vehicle, you must register it immediately, as the state does not offer a grace period. The documents required to transfer your vehicle registration include:
- Proof of title
- Previous state registration details
- Current Massachusetts insurance coverage
- Titling fee
If you require more information to understand the full registration process, please visit the RMV website.
Types of Vehicle License Plates in Massachusetts
Standard plates: These feature six alphanumeric characters and showcase the Spirit of America plate design. These plates require renewal every two years.
Vanity plates: These personalized plates can have up to six alphanumeric characters (up to five for motorcycles and four for antique vehicles) and must follow these rules:
- Start with at least two letters
- Only include the letters “I,” “O,” “Q,” and “U” if they form a clearly defined and correctly spelled word
- Exclude special characters, spaces, and digits between letters (e.g., AA222A is not permissible)
- Avoid offensive, vulgar, or obscene content
Military plates: Available to active-duty or retired members of any U.S. military branch, these plates feature honors such as the Bronze Star.
Disabled plates: Individuals with disabilities must have their condition certified by a licensed medical practitioner to qualify for these plates. Disabled parking placards are also available.
Specialty plates: These allow individuals to express their affiliation or support for various organizations, interests, or causes. Options include:
- Collegiate plates
- Organization/association plates
- Environmental and conservation plates
- Antique plates
- Volunteer organization/profession plates
- Government plates
- Sports teams/events plates
You can explore all available plate designs on the official website.
Benefits of a License Plate Lookup
Before purchasing a vehicle in Massachusetts, it's recommended to conduct a license plate search online. Using a free service like VinFreeCheck, you can access comprehensive, legal, and current details about any vehicle.
It's mandatory for all vehicles in Massachusetts to be registered with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (DOT).
Previous Owners: The report provides insights into the vehicle's ownership history, including how long each owner had the vehicle, while ensuring the privacy of individual owners remains protected.
Market Value: The license plate report will show the actual market value of the vehicle, helping you assess if the price is fair.
Vehicle Specifications: This section includes complete details about the make, model, year of manufacture, and more, equipping you with the necessary information to make an informed decision.
Flood Damage: The report will indicate any past flood damage, which is crucial for assessing potential lingering issues and the quality of repairs done.
Accident History: Details of any past accidents are listed. For significant damage, consider an independent inspection to check for unrepaired issues that could affect performance.
Odometer Readings: You'll get detailed odometer records, which are essential for detecting possible odometer fraud—this can mislead potential buyers about the true extent of use.
Junk/Salvage Title Check: This section reveals if the vehicle has been classified as a 'total loss' due to severe damage or being scrapped, indicating potentially high repair costs and unsuitability for road use.
Lien Records: The report will inform you if the vehicle has been involved in a lease, used as collateral, or part of a rental fleet. Beware of vehicles sold with existing liens, as new owners might unwittingly inherit the responsibility to clear these debts.
This thorough vetting process is key to ensuring the vehicle you consider buying does not come with hidden problems or illegalities.
Why Should I Get a Lookup Report?
The ability to safeguard yourself from potential scams is crucial when navigating the complexities of buying a used car. A comprehensive report empowers you to make informed decisions and identify warning signs in a deal, especially if there's an attempt to conceal the true condition of the vehicle.
Odometer fraud is a common scam where the odometer's readings are altered to falsely suggest the car has low mileage. This manipulation is a federal crime and can lead you to purchase a lemon, potentially costing you thousands in maintenance. It’s always better to err on the side of caution, which is why such a report is invaluable for prospective car owners.
The information provided in the report comes from reliable and regularly updated sources like the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS). With this dependable data readily available, it's wise to obtain a lookup report before hunting for a used car deal.
Take advantage of VinFreeCheck’s free and swift lookup service to ensure peace of mind while shopping for a used car!
Is Performing a License Plate Look Up Legal?
Absolutely! We adhere to the Driver's Privacy Protection Act (DPPA) by ensuring that no personal details about the vehicle's owner are disclosed. Our license plate lookup service performs a reverse lookup to retrieve the VIN number and then accesses vehicle history reports based on that VIN. Our reports do not contain any personally identifiable information about individuals.
Furthermore, the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) grants everyone the right to access information held by the government. With these provisions in place, there’s every reason to use our auto license plate lookup tool. It’s completely legal and free of charge!