Information for Motorists: Purchasing/Transferring

Purchasing a used vehicle?
Transferring a vehicle's registrations into Massachusetts from another state?

Important inspection information if you are purchasing a used vehicle:

Massachusetts state law requires that a vehicle be inspected within seven days of its registration in order for it to be legally operated on Massachusetts roadways. However, for your protection, if you purchase a used vehicle you should have the vehicle inspected for safety and emissions as soon as possible after purchase - even if it already has a valid inspection sticker. Visit the MassRMV website for more information.

The Commonwealth's Lemon Aid Law allows you to void or cancel a sale or contract for a used vehicle if:

1. The vehicle is inspected within seven calendar days of purchase and fails either the safety or emissions test, or both tests, and
2. The cost of repairs are estimated to be more than 10 percent of the purchase price, and
3. You physically return the vehicle to the seller within 14 calendar days of the purchase.

For more information on the Lemon Aid Law, call the Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs at 1-888-283-3757 or visit their website.

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If you are purchasing a vehicle from an Out-of-State Dealer, you will need to transfer the vehicle’s registration and title to Massachusetts:

You must go to a licensed Massachusetts insurance agent to obtain an active insurance policy and have the agent complete, stamp and sign an Application for Registration and Title (RMV-1).

If there is a lien against the vehicle, please make sure the lienholder information is complete and accurate.

After verifying all information, sign the RMV-1 application.

Take with the completed RMV-1 application to the nearest full service RMV center, with one of the following documents:

• A Certificate of Origin (new vehicles only), or
• The previous owner's title, if a titled vehicle (model year 1980 and newer), or
• The bill of sale and proof of last Registration, if a non-titled vehicle.
• If presenting the Certificate of Origin or the previous owner's title, be sure the date sold, the odometer reading and the purchase price have been completed on the back. The dealer or the previous owner(s) and you must sign the back of either of these forms.

If the dealer is not registered with the Massachusetts Department of Revenue, the sales tax will be calculated at 6.25 percent of the purchase price or the National Automotive Dealer Association (NADA) trade-in value, whichever is higher.

After completing the transaction, you will receive a registration certificate, new plates and a “year of expiration” decal for the rear plate. The title will be processed and mailed in approximately six (6) to eight (8) weeks. If you have a loan on the vehicle, the title will be mailed directly to your lienholder.

You must obtain a vehicle inspection sticker within seven (7) days of the registration date. For more information about registering vehicles, including those purchased from a non-dealer, visit the MassRMV website.

Inspections of Vehicles Registered in Other States (Reciprocity)

If you are out of state when your vehicle inspection sticker expires, you must comply with the inspection requirements of the state or province you are visiting for the duration of your stay, including having the vehicle inspected in that jurisdiction if required. You must then take your vehicle in for a Massachusetts Vehicle Check inspection upon returning to the state.

If you are outside of Massachusetts when your vehicle’s inspection sticker expires, you must provide proof of being out of state to the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) to prevent the RMV from automatically suspending your vehicle’s registration. To do this, submit a completed Out-of-State Verification for Vehicle Inspection Form To avoid the suspension of your vehicle’s registration while you are out of state, the RMV encourages you to obtain a vehicle inspection before leaving Massachusetts.

If you and your vehicle are out of state when the vehicle’s inspection sticker expires, follow the steps below to prevent your vehicle’s Massachusetts registration from being suspended:

1. Within 60 days of the vehicle’s inspection sticker expiration (when you are notified that RMV has suspended the vehicle’s registration), call the RMV’s Vehicle Safety and Compliance Department at (617) 351-9345.


2. The Vehicle Safety and Compliance Department will direct you to obtain the inspection services required by the outside jurisdiction and will provide you with the RMV’s Out-of-State Verification for Vehicle Inspection Form (this form may be obtained via the RMV’s website, fax, or mail).


3. Complete the Out-of-State Verification for Vehicle Inspection Form and submit it to the Vehicle Safety and Compliance Department at Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles, Vehicle Inspection, P.O. Box 199100, Boston, MA 02119-9100.


4. The Vehicle Safety and Compliance Department will prevent RMV’s computer system from automatically suspending your vehicle’s registration.


5. Once you return to Massachusetts with your vehicle, you must have it inspected at a Massachusetts Vehicle Check Inspection Station within 15 days of your return.

NOTE: If your vehicle has not been inspected at a Massachusetts inspection station or obtained a waiver 60 days after its inspection sticker expires, the RMV will suspend your vehicle’s registration, unless you contact RMV and submit an Out-of-State Verification for Vehicle Inspection Form.

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