How Much Are Massachusetts License Plates?

In Massachusetts, as in most states, license plate fees vary depending on the type of plate you choose.

Standard license plates are included in vehicle registration charges ($60 every 2 years), while other types of plates have an additional cost above and beyond registration fees.

Massachusetts has an odd vehicle registration schedule. Where most states mandate annual registration, Massachusetts specifies different time intervals (annual or biennial) depending on the type of plate you choose.


You can see the official scope of Massachusetts license plates and associated schedules and fees here.

Let’s take a closer look at Massachusetts license plates and their costs.

In Massachusetts, your car is required to have both front and rear license plates.

Every state in the US requires a rear plate. While some states require a rear plate only, other states require a front license plate in addition to the rear plate.

Here are the steps for getting new license plates from the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV).

1. Gather necessary documents, like proof of ownership (a vehicle title or bill of sale), proof of Massachusetts insurance, and a valid Massachusetts driver's license.
2. Fill out the right forms. These forms are your ticket to a smooth registration process.
3. Visit a Registry of Motor Vehicles service center in your area. Locate the nearest RMV service center and arrive prepared to hand in your completed application and required documents.
4. Be ready to pay various fees, including registration, title, and applicable sales tax.
5. Receive your new plates and registration. You will be issued Massachusetts license plates and a registration certificate once your application is approved and fees are paid.
6. Attach the license plates to your vehicle as directed, and keep the registration certificate in a secure location.
7. Don't forget about the inspection. You must have your vehicle inspected at a Massachusetts vehicle check station within seven days of registering it.

There are different types of license plates: passenger license plates, commercial vehicle plates, special license plates, trailer plates, and motorcycle plates.

License plates measure 6 by 12 inches and are rectangular (motorcycle license plates are smaller, measuring 4 by 7 inches).

The Massachusetts license plate has six characters (across the 50 states, license plates have anywhere from six to eight characters).

When you pay for your biennial vehicle registration in Massachusetts, your $60 registration fee also covers standard license plates.

Here is a list of vehicle types that can display a standard license plate:

1. Passenger cars
2. Trucks
3. Motorcycles
4. Vans
5. SUVs
6. Trailers
7. Campers
8. RVs
9. Buses (depending on size and use)
10. Taxis
11. Ride-sharing vehicles (such as Uber and Lyft)
12. Rental cars
13. Farm vehicles with a gross weight of 8,000 pounds or less

Standard license plates are issued in any of the following scenarios:

A vanity plate, also known as a personalized plate, allows you to express your individual personality on the road by choosing any permitted combination of letters and numbers.

A Massachusetts vanity plate is $50 in addition to the $30 annual registration fee, and you can apply by mail, online, or in person at the Massachusetts RMV. Mail your completed application and a check or money order payable to MassDOT to:

Registry of Motor Vehicles
P.O Box 55895
Boston, MA 02205-5895

Massachusetts has a few rules and restrictions regarding vanity plate customization.


The Massachusetts RMV will review and approve your custom license plate application after you submit it. If your application does not follow the guidelines or if the combination of characters is already in use, the RMV will reject it.

Massachusetts, like many other states, allows you to support a cause or organization by purchasing a specialty license plate that commemorates that organization or cause. From supporting universities to showcasing your love for history, there is a specialty plate to fit your interests.

Massachusetts specialty license plates come with an additional fee (between $20 and $50) above and beyond the registration fee. For most specialty plates, registration is $60 every other year; for a few, it's $30 every year. We know: $30 per year and $60 every 2 years amount to the same cost, but the schedule's different. Massachusetts, why make things more complicated than they need to be?

Some of the money from Massachusetts specialty plate fees helps fund related programs and projects. This means that you can show off your passion and help your community at the same time.

Here are the special interest license plates Massachusetts offers, along with their total cost (special fee plus registration):

Charitable organizations (renewed biennially)


Government (renewed annually):


Other:


You can apply for a specialty plate by filling out the specialty plate application in person or by mailing it to the following address:

Registry of Motor Vehicles
P.O Box 55895
Boston, MA 02205-5895

Attn: Special Plates

If you or someone you know has a disability that limits their mobility, Massachusetts has a disability license plate that grants them access to parking spaces reserved for disabled persons.

Massachusetts also has a disability placard. The main difference between a plate and a placard is that a disability license plate must be permanently attached to the vehicle, whereas a placard can be moved from one vehicle to another.

Here's the fee schedule for Massachusetts disability plates (disability placards don’t cost extra):


To apply for a disability plate or placard, here are the steps:


Applicants can apply by mailing the required documents to the following address:

Registry of Motor Vehicles

Attn: Medical Affairs
PO Box 55889
Boston, MA 02205-5889

You can order a license plate in Massachusetts by mail, online, or in person at a DMV office. Here are the steps for ordering license plates in Massachusetts:

1. Go to the official website of the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV).
2. On the homepage, hover over the "registration and titling" option on the main navigation menu, and then click on "license plates" in the dropdown menu.
3. Read the instructions and requirements for ordering license plates, and then click on the "Start" button at the bottom of the page.
4. Choose the type of plate you want to order from the options listed.
5. Enter your vehicle's registration information, such as your plate type, registration number, and the last 2 digits of your vehicle identification number (VIN).
6. Choose your preferred plate design from the available options, and select any custom text options you want.
7. Review your order details, and then proceed to the checkout page.
8. Enter your personal and payment information as prompted.
9. Review your order and ensure that all the details are correct.
10. Submit your order and wait for confirmation that your order has been processed.

The RMV will then mail your new license plates to the address on file for your vehicle registration.

The state of Massachusetts requires all vehicles to undergo a safety inspection, but certain vehicles are exempt from smog checks.

In Massachusetts, the following vehicles are exempt from emissions testing:


If the car that you are buying does not meet any of these criteria, find an RMV location and proceed with the test.

For the locations of smog check stations, visit the Massachusetts RMV website.

For most cars, the fee for performing this test will be $35.

In the state of Massachusetts, titling and registration are done at the same time. When purchasing a used car, you will need to provide your local Massachusetts RMV office with the following:


See our guide to transferring a Massachusetts vehicle title for more information on the process.

Registration in Massachusetts costs $30 annually and $60 for biannual registration. To apply for a Massachusetts license plate, you must have a valid Massachusetts car registration card from the Massachusetts RMV. To register your vehicle, you will first need to transfer the title.

You will need to submit the following documents to your local RMV office:


Note that Wednesday mornings between 9:00am and 10:00am are reserved for senior citizens.

All cars registered in Massachusetts have to pass a yearly vehicle inspection. Inspections cost $35 for most vehicles.

The fee to replace lost license plates is $10.

To replace your vehicle's license plate with the same plate number, you will need your:


If one or both plates were reported stolen, you must get a new set of plates (with a new plate number) from an MA RMV Service Center. If one plate is missing or damaged, you can order a replacement plate online and keep the same plate number.

You can order replacement plates by calling the RMV's Contact Center at 857-368-8000 or 800-858-3926.

You will need your:

If you’re a Massachusetts resident who has purchased an out-of-state vehicle, you’ll need to transfer the title at the RMV the same way you would if you purchased the vehicle from a private seller in Massachusetts. At the same time, you’ll register the vehicle with the Massachusetts RMV.

To transfer an out-of-state title, you will need to do the following:


If you're thinking about buying an out-of-state car from a private party, read our guide to purchasing a vehicle remotely to see how PrivateAuto makes the process so much easier.

Before you go and purchase a used car from a private seller, find out if there are any hidden fees attached to the vehicle, such as fines or citations. If there are, you could be responsible for them.

Get the vehicle identification number from the seller. With the VIN, you can contact your closest RMV location and request a title search. The Massachusetts RMV will be able to tell you if there are any unpaid fees associated with the car, such as a vehicle registration fee or unpaid parking tickets.

On the other hand, if you're selling your used vehicle in MA, make sure that you've paid any forgotten parking tickets or registration renewals.

Whether you're trying to sell a used car or purchase your dream car, PrivateAuto makes the whole process safe and simple. With our end-to-end vehicle purchasing platform, you will have everything you need to complete the transaction, from making offers to sending payments.

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