Motor Vehicle Frequently
Asked Questions
Q. I have moved to MA from another
state. Do I have to re-register and insure my vehicle in MA?
A. Yes. MA law requires owners of
vehicles to register and insure their vehicles in MA within
30 days of establishing residency.
Q. What is the law regarding use of
fog or driving lights on my vehicle?
A. It is illegal to use fog or driving
lights when not necessary, therefore only during inclement
weather.
Q. What is the fine for driving
through a red signal light?
A. Currently the fine for Failure to
Stop at a stop sign or signal light is $100.
Q. What is the minimum fine for
speeding in MA?
A. Currently the minimum fine for
speeding in MA is $100.
Q. How are speeding fines calculated?
A. Currently speeding fines are
assessed as follows. The fine is calculated as $50 beginning
with the first 10 MPH over the speed limit. $10 is added for
every MPH after the first 10. In addition, $50 is added to
each citation issued which is forwarded to the State's Head
Injury Fund. Example: Being cited for driving 53 MPH in a 40
MPH zone, the fine would be a total of $130.
Q. My local auto accessory store sells
colored lights I can install on my vehicle. What colors can
I install?
A. MA law prohibits the use of any
aftermarket lighting not authorized by the Registrar.
Currently no lights are authorized. The fine for aftermarket
lighting is $35. If you have any alternating or flashing red
or blue lights, the fine is $300 and your vehicle could be
towed off the street.
Q. I have misplaced my R.I. driver's
license. What will happen if I am stopped by Police in MA?
A. The fine for any operator driving
without a license in possession is $35. Police will attempt
to verify whether or not a MA resident has a valid license
in the State's computer system. There is no requirement for
an Officer to verify the license status of out-of-state
residents. In all cases, if it can not be determined
that you have a valid license, you could be arrested or
issued a court complaint for operating without a license.
Q. My vehicle failed to pass
inspection and I was issued a rejection sticker. How long
can I drive the vehicle while it is being repaired?
A. Vehicles that have a rejection for
Safety can not be operated until repaired. This includes
vehicles rejected for Safety and Emissions. Vehicles
rejected for Emissions only may be operated for 60 days.
Older vehicles that fail emissions and the cost of repair is
excessive compared to the value of the vehicle may apply to
the Registrar for a "hardship" sticker. Your inspection
station can advise you on this, or contact the RMV.
Q. Which lane should I drive in if
there are more than one?
A. Ma law requires all motorists to
drive in the lane farthest to the right. In all cases the
right lane is considered the travel lane, other lanes are
considered passing lanes. This is illustrated in the MA
license manual you received when applying for a license.
Except for passing, failure to drive in the right lane is a
$100 fine.
Q. I used to have one registration
plate on my vehicle. Now I have two. Do I have to put the
second plate on the front if there is no bracket for it? May
I put a favorite plate on the front instead?
A. If you have one plate with green
letters and/or numbers, you may put a personal plate on the
front. If you have any plate with red letters and/or
numbers, these are two plate issues. Both plates must be
displayed. Dealers of all vehicles sold for registration in
MA are required to supply a bracket for mounting the front
plate. Failure to display two plates when issued is a $35
fine.
Q. What color covers can I use to
cover my registration plate?
A. No covering of any kind is allowed
in MA. These alter the reflective value of the plate. Your
plate must be illuminated at night and be legible at a
distance of 60 feet. Covering the plate is a $35 fine
Q. Can I install a special bracket
around my registration plate?
A. You can install a personalized
bracket behind or around the plate. The only requirement is
that it does not cover ANY of the writing on the plate.
Currently this includes the "Spirit of America" at the
bottom. On many plates this designates the type of plate,
such as Veteran or Commercial. Covering the writing is a $35
fine.
Q. Where do I place the new expiration
sticker on my plate? There's already one there.
A. MA law requires that only one
sticker be visible on the plate and it must be displayed in
the upper right corner. Place it on top of the older
sticker. Improper display of the sticker is a $35 fine.
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