License plates are issued by the Registry of Motor Vehicles in Massachusetts. New residents must register their out-of-state vehicles within 30 days of their arrival in Massachusetts.

There are various specialty license plates to choose from, which can also be personalized.

Sample Massachusetts License Plate

Types of License Plates in Massachusetts

You are required to register your vehicles with the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV).

The license plates you receive must be attached to the rear and front of your vehicle (except for motorcycles and trailers). You must also attach validation stickers that show when the license plates expire.

For people with disabilities, it is possible to obtain special license plates and placards which permit them to park in designated spots.

There are also specialty plates which represent various organizations, charities, and groups in Massachusetts.

The standard plate issued by the RMV has a white background with red lettering (including the slogan, “The Spirit of America”).

All license plates in Massachusetts can be personalized.

Specialty License Plates in Massachusetts

To add a custom style to the back end of your vehicle, you can choose from the following specialty license plates in Massachusetts:

Support Our Troops License Plates
University of Massachusetts License Plates
Conquer Cancer License Plates
Animal Coalition License Plates
Olympic Spirit License Plates
Red Sox Fun License Plates
Cape & Island License Plates
Leaping Trout License Plates
Blackstone Valley License Plates
Fraternity Order of Police License Plates
Ex-POW License Plates
Military Veterans License Plates
War Survivors License Plates
Classic Car License Plates

See the “Summary of Fees for License Plates in Massachusetts” to get a general idea of the cost of some of these specialty license plates.

Personalizing License Plates in Massachusetts

You can create a custom license plate number for vehicle by paying $80 ($50 to order the plate and $30 to register it).

The Massachusetts RMV has the following guidelines that should be followed if you want to personalize your license plates. Massachusetts license plates must:

Begin with 2 letters
Contain up to 6 characters (or 5 characters for motorcycle plates)
Not mix numbers and letters
Not use offensive or discriminatory phrases or words
Be unique and not already registered

Here’s an example of a plate you can have: “ZZ9876” or “AB1234”. You cannot have “AA19BB” or “123ABC” or “BI7CH”.

Applying for License Plates in Massachusetts

If you’re a new resident, you must register your out-of-state vehicle within 30 days.

If you recently purchased a new vehicle, registering it will vary according to how it was acquired (gifted or purchased) and which county it came from.

When applying for license plates in Massachusetts, you’ll require the following:

Titling and registration documents
Bill of sale
Proof of insurance for vehicle
Valid ID (i.e., Massachusetts driver’s license)
Odometer disclosure statement
Payment for registration fees

If your vehicle was gifted, you may be exempted from paying sales tax.

If you are purchasing your vehicle from a dealership, some dealers will handle the registration of your vehicle.

Renewing License Plates in Massachusetts

Your license plates have decals attached to the rear plate. The dates on these stickers refer to when your registration expires.

You may receive a reminder in the mail, but payment for renewal must be made before the plates expire, to avoid late fees, whether you receive a reminder or not.

You can renew your vehicle’s license plates in person, by mail, or online.

You’ll receive new stickers after your payment is processed. You can place these over the old stickers on your license plate.

Transferring License Plates in Massachusetts

You can transfer your Massachusetts license plates from your old vehicle to a new vehicle if:

Your new vehicle is registered in your name
You transfer the plates within 7 days of registering the new vehicle

It will cost you $25 to transfer your plates, along with any other registration fees required for your vehicle.

Surrendering License Plates in Massachusetts

In Massachusetts, you are required to surrender your license plates if:

You move to a different state
You cancel your vehicle’s insurance
You do not need your plates after selling or donating your vehicle

You can use the RMV’s online services to cancel your plates. Afterward, you can surrender your plates by mailing them or bringing them to the nearest RMV office in Massachusetts.

Alternatively, you can destroy and recycle your MA license plates if you no longer need them. You should still cancel your plates online if you choose to do this.

Summary of Fees for License Plates in Massachusetts

The following list will give you a general idea of the costs required when registering your vehicle with the RMV:

Standard License Plates (+ Renewal):
- Motorcycles: $20
- Passenger Vehicles: $60
Replacement
- Plate Replacement Fee: $10 / plate
Titling
- Titling fee: $75
Transfer
- Transfer fee: $25
Specialty License Plates
- Antique Plates: $20 + $30 registration fee
- Year of Manufacture Plate: $50 a year
- Ex-POW Plate: Free
- Military Veteran Plates: $100 for 2 years
- Bronze Star, Ex POW, Gold Star Family: No fee
- Organizational Plates: $40–$50 + $60 registration fee
- Disabled: $60
- Disabled Veteran: No fee
Personalized License Plates:
- Order Fee: $50 + $30 registration fee
- Renewal Fee: $80

Registering your vehicle may also require payment of taxes, titling fees, service fees, and additional fees. Contact your local RMV for more details.

Looking Up License Plates for Vehicles

If you want to see the history of a used vehicle before purchasing it in Massachusetts, you can do so quite easily.

All you need to look up license plates is the plate number and the state name.

You can use this license plate search tool to find available plate numbers for personalization.

Car Ownership in Massachusetts

Massachusetts is a state with few vehicles compared to other states. It ranks 49 in the list of states with the highest rates of car ownership.
87.90% of households in Massachusetts have at least one vehicle. Idaho and Wyoming are tied for first place with 96.20% of households having at least one vehicle.
The metro area of Boston-Cambridge-Newton has the third lowest vehicle ownership rate nationwide with 87.28% of households having at least one vehicle. The lowest vehicle ownership rates are in New York-Newark-Jersey City (69.63%) and Atlantic City-Hammonton (87%).
Massachusetts ranks 10 (tied) in the US for electric vehicle ownership. Approximately 0.57% of all registered vehicles in Massachusetts are electric vehicles. California has the most electric vehicles (1.61%), followed by Hawaii (1.32%).
Massachusetts ranks 33 (tied) on the list of most expensive states to own a car in the US.
The average cost of a check engine light-related car repair in Massachusetts is $386. The average cost of full coverage car insurance in Massachusetts is $2,333 per year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Massachusetts require two license plates?

Yes, Massachusetts requires 2 license plates. You need to have a front license plate as well as a rear license plate on your vehicle. Interestingly, all the New England states are two-plate states.

How many characters are on a Massachusetts license plate?

There are 6 characters on a Massachusetts license plate for passenger vehicles and 5 characters on MA license plates for motorcycles.

Can I paint my Massachusetts license plate?

It is against the law to paint your Massachusetts license plate or tamper with it in any way. If the paint on your license plate is chipped or faded, apply for replacement plates. Do not attempt to paint the plates yourself. License plates in Massachusetts are manufactured with a specialized reflective paint. If you touch up the paint, your vehicle will fail inspection.

Does Massachusetts do vehicle inspections?

Yes, Massachusetts does vehicle inspections for emissions and safety. All vehicles registered in the state are required to undergo an annual inspection. Driving without a valid inspection sticker is a traffic violation that may invite a fine and may affect your vehicle insurance rate. Newly purchased vehicles must undergo an inspection within 7 days of registration. The fee is $35 for most passenger vehicles. Motorcycle inspections cost $15. Fees may be higher for commercial vehicles.

What’s the difference between a standard Massachusetts driver’s license and a REAL ID?

A REAL ID is a federal ID. It has a star that indicates it is federally compliant. Beginning May 7, 2025, you will need a REAL ID to enter federal buildings and fly within the United States. If you don’t have a REAL ID after 5/7/25, you will need some other form of TSA-acceptable ID for domestic air travel and entry into federal facilities. If you wish to get a REAL ID, you’ll need to provide additional documentation at an RMV Service Center in Massachusetts, in person.

The cost of obtaining a standard driver’s license and a REAL ID in Massachusetts is the same. You can find out whether you’re eligible for a REAL ID, what documents are required, and even start and finish your application for a REAL ID online. This way, you’ll just need to take a summary of your application and the required documents to the RMV, thus saving time.

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