Massachusetts DMV Services

📅 Deadlines — When You Must Act

• Title and registration must generally be applied for within 10 days of purchase, transfer or acquisition of the vehicle. Otherwise, you may be responsible for late fees and back sales/use tax.
• If you dispose of a previously registered vehicle and buy a replacement, you have a 7‑day grace period to transfer your existing registration to the new vehicle.
• If you move to Massachusetts with a vehicle titled/registered out of state, you must transfer the title and registration as soon as you become a resident — there is no informal grace period for new residents.

🚗 Registration & Insurance

• You must have active Massachusetts auto insurance (minimum state liability coverage) before registering.
• Before submitting Form RMV‑1, go to a licensed MA insurance agent to obtain coverage and have the agent stamp and sign the application.

💸 Taxes
📌 Sales & Use Tax

• Sales tax: 6.25 % of the purchase price or the vehicle’s current book value (whichever is higher) is collected on retail sales.
• Trade in credit is allowed but vehicle traded most be registered under the same name as the new vehicle purchase and will need a copy of the traded vehicle registration
• If lease vehicle sales tax is paid monthly
• Reciprocal state

📌 Summary Checklist 

✔ Completed RMV-1 form, stamped by insurance company
✔ Original title or MCO
✔ Bill of sale or Purchase order
✔ Active Massachusetts auto insurance and agent signature/stamp
✔ Copy of contract
✔ Original Odometer
✔ Copy of driver’s license or EIN/FEIN number if company
✔ Power of Attorney
✔ Vehicle color
✔ Fees/taxes