The first step in registering your newor “new to you”trailer in Massachusetts is to visit your insurance broker. Your broker will give you a signed and completed RMV1 document stating that you have obtained adequate trailer insurance coverage. After that, you can go to the Registry of Motor Vehicles, carrying the RMV1 form and proof of trailer ownership with you. You’ll get a Certificate of Origin if you acquired the trailer from a dealer. If it was a private sale, you’ll need the prior owner’s title documentation. If the trailer is untitled, you’ll need a bill of sale that includes your name and address, as well as the seller’s; the date and price of purchase; and the trailer’s make, model, year, and VIN.
Is a utility trailer in Massachusetts required to have a title?
A motor vehicle’s Certificate of Title is a legal document issued by a state that certifies the vehicle’s ownership. All motor vehicles and trailers must be titled within 10 days of acquisition, according to Massachusetts law. Passenger vehicles purchased before November 26, 1990 with a model year of 1980 or older are exempt from titling. Trailers weighing less than 3,000 pounds are also exempt and do not require a title.
Is insurance required to register a trailer in Massachusetts?
You must have an active insurance policy for your car or trailer in order to renew your registration. If you have an active insurance policy on file with the RMV, it will be indicated on your registration renewal application. If you don’t have an active policy, you’ll need your insurance agent to stamp your application as proof of insurance.
You won’t get a renewal application, and you won’t be able to renew your registration if you:
- Your registration for your car or trailer has been suspended or revoked.
- Parking tickets, excise taxes, or EZ-Pass offenses are all unpaid.
You can check the status of your vehicle/trailer registration to see if you can renew it.
Is it necessary to register compact trailers in Massachusetts?
There are numerous reasons to visit New England’s northernmost state, even if you are a native of Massachusetts. Make a beeline for the fabled lobstah. Visit the expansive beaches or the historic hiking routes. Shop the well-known retailers for bargains on your favorite styles.
However, if you want to save money on your trailer’s registration, it’s best to stay near to home.
Many Massachusetts homeowners and company owners have been successful in registering their semi- or utility trailers in Maine in recent years. These drivers have driven up I95 with the proper documents in hand, knowing that registration costs and taxes are lower there. They’ve returned to Maine with Maine-issued registration for a trailer that will be pulled by their Massachusetts-registered automobile.
It’s natural that this behavior has persisted. It’s a money-saving strategy, and it’s widely assumed that the Bay State permits it. Unfortunately, in most circumstances, this assumption is incorrect, and a registrant’s lack of understanding may be irrelevant to a state trooper who notices the violation.
If a business or consumer vehicle registered in Massachusetts tows a trailer, the trailer must likewise be registered in Massachusetts, according to state law.
Every trailer that is parked in the state might cost the state hundreds of dollars in taxes “Although he lives here, he is illegally registered elsewhere. Given the growing number of Maine-plated trailers on Massachusetts highways and byways, this amounts to millions of dollars in lost revenue in a single year. The state’s active and expanding crackdown on this issue is not just predictable; it’s long overdue.
To be honest, “Many of these trailer’s registrants are probably unaware they’ve broken the law until they find out the hard way: a fine of up to $500 for each year of illegal registration. Even experts in the transportation and associated businesses may be unaware of the realities.
So, why is there so much misunderstanding about this law? There are several key reasons for this:
‘The’ “exception apportioned But wait, a trailer owner might argue, I frequently see legitimate Massachusetts-based enterprises hauling Maine-plated semi-trailers. Is it true that they’re all breaching the law? Certainly not. Next time, pay attention to the license plate on the vehicle. If the letters APP, PRP, and/or the phrase APPORTIONED appear on a Massachusetts license plate, the vehicle may legally tow a trailer registered in Maine (or another state). Apportioned registration applies only to large commercial trucks and is based on regular interstate travel and other particular conditions.
Maine is unconcerned about it. The law in question is a state law, and Massachusetts is the state in dispute. As a result, if a trailer owner brings the proper papers (such as a bill of sale) and payment to the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV), the BMV is generally within its legal powers to grant the registration. Indeed, there are even independent companies that offer online trailer registration services in Maine. However, one of these companies, Maine Trailer Registrations, states directly on its website: “It is solely your obligation… to become knowledgeable about any applicable trailer registration rules in your state.
Insurance firms, too, have a responsibility: the financial security of their clients. As a result, some insurers may refuse to cover a Maine-registered trailer being towed by a non-apportioned Massachusetts vehicle. Perhaps inconvenient, but a registration transfer today is preferable to a costly citation tomorrow.
In Massachusetts, do trailers need to be inspected?
Welcome! This page offers information on the various types of cars as well as the inspection standards and guidelines that apply to them.
The Massachusetts Commercial Motor Vehicle Inspection applies to all commercial vehicles, trailers, including converter dollies. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has approved the Massachusetts Commercial Motor Vehicle Inspection as equivalent to the annual FMCSA or “DOT inspection; as a result, you are not required to obtain a separate FMCSA or “DOT inspection if your commercial motor vehicle/trailer receives a state safety inspection.
This requirement applies to all Massachusetts-registered single, full, or semi-trailers used in commerce with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of over 3,000 pounds or commercial motor vehicle/trailer combinations with a gross combined vehicle weight rating (GCVWR) of over 10,000 pounds, as well as all heavy-duty motor vehicles (GVWR of more than 10,000 pounds) and converter dollies. To better illustrate these commercial testing requirements, the RMV prepared a one-page poster.
What does it cost to register a trailer in Massachusetts?
Utility trailer registration fees are calculated based on their weight. According to the state’s charge schedule as of November 2016, the fee is $20 per 1,000 pounds of gross weight, with a minimum of $20; you’ll additionally be responsible for state excise taxes based on the higher of your trailer’s “book” value or the actual purchase price. An extra $75 is required for a Certificate of Title. For lightweight utility trailers, titling isn’t required. You’ll have to determine whether you want to take that extra step if your gross weight is less than 3,000 pounds. If you plan to resell the trailer in the future, giving it an official title may be beneficial.
Is the Mass RMV accepting walk-ins?
The RMV has established a system that allows clients to arrange a phone hearing and upload supporting paperwork. Customers must go to the Online Service Center and go to the Additional Services area to Make or Cancel a Hearing Reservation. There will be no walk-ins allowed.
What is the cost of a tax title and registration in Massachusetts?
What is the cost of registering a vehicle in Massachusetts? A typical private passenger vehicle registration in Massachusetts will cost $60 in 2021 and will be valid for two years. The Certificate of Title charge in Massachusetts is $75. You’ll also need to pay $35 to have your vehicle examined.
Is there a grace period in Massachusetts for lapsed registration?
All passenger plate registrations that lapsed in March or will expire in April have been extended for 60 days as of today, April 1, 2020. Registrations that were due to expire in March were extended until May 31st, while registrations that were due to expire in April were extended until June 30th. During this time, registration renewals can still be done online at Mass.Gov/RMV. Customers who wish to do so in person will be unable to schedule an appointment and should postpone their visit to a Service Center.
Is a front license plate required in Ma 2021?
* Massachusetts needs at least one license plate, which can be placed on the front or back of the car, depending on the driver’s preference.
Is it illegal in Maine to register a trailer?
The title, bill of sale, and payment of fees and any taxes are all required to register a trailer in the state of Maine. The Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles allows them to register in person and renew their licenses online (BMV).
