Top1) Determine the Status of Your Registration

Depending on your registration plates, you’ll renew either annually or biennially through the state's Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV). For example, you must renew specialty plates such as Fish & Wildlife biennially, and you must renew vanity plates on a yearly basis. Consult the state’s registration fee chart to see how often you must renew.

Renew MA Registration

To legally operate your vehicle in the state, you must maintain current registration and adequate auto insurance. To read more about the state insurance requirements (or to compare quotes online), visit our Insurance Center.

For more info on the registration renewal process, continue to the section below titled "Check Your Renewal Notice."

Register a Vehicle in MA for the First Time

New residents and those who have recently purchased a vehicle should see our page on initial registration.

Register a Non-Operational Vehicle

Contact your local RMV branch office to get instructions specific to your situation regarding how to register a vehicle you don't plan to operate.

If the non-operational vehicle is already registered and you wish to cancel that registration, return your plates to your nearest RMV branch office or mail them to:

• Attn: Express

• Registry of Motor Vehicles

• P.O. Box 55889

• Boston, MA 02205-5889

If you don't have plates to return, complete a C-19 Form and present or mail it in lieu of the plates.

Whether you return your plates in person or through the mail, you'll receive two plate return receipts. Show one to your insurance company, and the other to your Assessor's office (along with proof of where you're storing your vehicle for excise tax adjustment purposes).

If you used a C-19 Form, the Registrar will stamp it and return it to you, and you must show it to your insurance company and Assessor's office.

Top2) Check Your Renewal Notice

Six to eight weeks before your current registration expires, the RMV will mail you a Renewal Form (RMV-2); this notice will indicate how much you owe and whether you need to have your vehicle inspected or the emissions tested.

If you are not eligible to renew you’ll receive a non-renewal letter.

If neither arrives, call the Telephone Center to make sure the RMV has your current address. Before renewing your registration, you can have an agent at the Telephone Center update the RMV records if your correct address is not on file.

If you don’t have any obligations (see below), your current address is on file at the RMV and you still didn’t receive an RMV-2, contact your insurance agent to receive an Application to Renew (RMV-3). Once you complete the application (indicating any changes with an “X” in the amendment box), have the agent stamp and sign it.

Outstanding Obligations

If you have unpaid parking tickets, excise tax bills, abandoned vehicle citations, or outstanding child support obligations or warrants, don’t expect to receive the RMV-2. You must pay all unpaid obligations and clear all warrants through the issuing agency before the RMV considers you eligible to renew.

After you pay any outstanding parking tickets, excise tax bills, abandoned vehicle citations, the issuing city or town will provide you with an original release you’ll need to present at the RMV to renew.

For those with outstanding warrants, you’ll need to obtain and present an original recall notice from the issuing court.

The Department of Revenue handles outstanding child-support obligations.

Call (800) 332-2733 for information on paying your debts and receiving an original release.

Top3) Calculate Your Fees

Your RMV-2 will indicate what you owe. If you didn’t receive this notice in the mail, call the Telephone Center to make sure the RMV has your correct address.

To view a list of registration fees consult the fee chart on the RMV’s official site. You can also check out the vehicle inspection fees, if applicable.

Although you cannot reduce what you owe the state, you can reduce what you are paying for car insurance. Visit our Insurance Center to compare auto insurance quotes online and reduce what you pay out of pocket.

Avoid Late Fees and Penalties

For those planning to use the online renewal system, you’ll want to take care of this at least seven days before your registration expires. If you need to check your registration status, use the state site’s Registration Inquiry system. When you enter your plate type and registration number, you’ll receive fee details and a status update through the RMV.

If your registration has expired, you’ll need to determine your prorated renewal fee.

Top4) Renew Online, In Person, By Mail or By Phone

Online

If you have a private passenger registration or an individual-owned commercial registration, you can use the online system as long as you are eligible. Renew online at least seven days before your registration is set to expire.

1. Take care of any required vehicle and emissions inspections.
2. Have ready to enter into the online system your e-mail address, driver’s license number, plate type, plate/registration number, and the amount you owe. If you don’t know what fee to enter (either because your registration is expired or you never received a renewal application notice), determine your renewal fee online.
3. Have at hand your Registration Renewal Application which should be marked “Ins. Stamp Not Needed Active Policy on File.”
4. Have a current auto insurance policy.
5. Be ready to pay by credit card; the RMV accepts Discover, MasterCard, and Visa.
6. Go to the state's online renewal site.
7. Take note of your transaction identification number; the number doesn't guarantee a successful renewal, but you'll need it for future correspondence with the RMV.
8. Expect to receive an e-mail within three days stating whether the transaction was successful. If you don’t receive this e-mail, contact the RMV using its feedback form.

In Person

1. Before you go to a RMV center, make sure you don’t have any outstanding obligations or unpaid tickets.
2. If your renewal card says “Ins. Stamp Required,” have your insurance agent stamp and sign your RMV-2. Your card should also indicate whether you need to also obtain vehicle or a state emissions inspection.
3. Go to your nearest full-service RMV center.

By Mail

As long as you don’t have any unpaid tickets or outstanding obligations, you should be able to renew by mail. If you do, obtain the necessary releases once you have paid off what you owe and mail them with the rest of the mail-in materials.

1. Complete the RMV-2 or RMV-3.
2. Have your insurance agent stamp and sign your renewal card if it says “Ins. Stamp Required.”
3. Obtain the necessary paperwork if you must obtain a vehicle inspection or an emissions check.
4. Pay your fees with a check or money order.
5. Mail the above to:
   • Attn: Mail In Registration
   • Registry of Motor Vehicles
   • P.O. Box 55891
   • Boston, MA 02205-5891

By Phone

1. Be sure you have a private passenger registration or an individual-owned commercial registration.
2. Handle any required vehicle and emissions inspections.
3. Have on hand your renewal card marked “Ins. Stamp Not Needed Active Policy on File."
4. Have on hand your MasterCard, Visa, or Discover.
5. Call the RMV Telephone Center.

The Telephone Center holds regular business hours, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m to 5 p.m. (except holidays). If you have questions when the center is closed, you might find helpful the more than 200 messages on policies and procedures available 24/7.

Top5) Affix Your Stickers

You’ll receive a plate decal; just follow the instructions to place it on your rear plate.

NOTE: When renewing a leased vehicle registration, remember that the RMV will mail your registration and plate decal to your lease company. Contact your lender to forward these to you.

Top6) Get a Tax Deduction

You’ll pay a flat fee for your registration, unlike in some states that determine fees by car value. Therefore, you don’t have the option to deduct any portion of your registration fees. If you need tax-related info, it’s best to consult a tax attorney.

Top7) Do Your Part to Keep Our Roadways Safe

Making sure your vehicle is in optimal running condition is one way to reduce the risk of disaster on the road. Start with keeping a regular schedule of changing your oil, rotating or replacing your tires, and taking your vehicle in for routine tune ups.

Many roadside assistance programs come in handy when unexpected situations such as breaking down or blowing out a tire. It’s also a good idea to find a mechanic you can trust and possible even sign up for an after-market auto warranty.

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