8cuban t1_j9qzp9j wrote on February 23, 2023 at 10:59 PM

It was a massive pain in the ass! It took the dealer weeks to sort it out, even with constant pestering and an “agent” working with the RMV.

And there’s no 7 day law or any kind of grace period. Your car has to leave the out of state dealership with your MA plates on it.

northeasternlurker t1_j9r8wf4 wrote on February 24, 2023 at 12:03 AM

That's not true. I bought my car in new York and left with NY plates. It was definitely a huge pain in the ass to transfer everything though

mtmsm t1_j9td3sl wrote on February 24, 2023 at 12:39 PM

They make it sound damn near impossible to switch a NY registration to MA, and neither state gives an F that their laws conflict with the other’s.

MA requires you to have MA insurance before you resister your car/get your MA plates. NY requires you to surrender your NY plates and registration before you cancel your NY insurance (if you don’t, they will suspend your license). MA does not issue temporary plates, and you must have plates on your car. There is no grace period for any of this. Some people have managed by temporarily holding two car insurance policies. I somehow managed without doing that, but rather switching everything on the same day and mailing the NY plates back the day I got my MA plates.

northeasternlurker t1_j9u3885 wrote on February 24, 2023 at 3:55 PM

Yep - had to temporarily hold two insurance policies.

Yakb0 OP t1_j9r389m wrote on February 23, 2023 at 11:23 PM

https://www.mass.gov/how-to/transfer-your-registration-to-a-vehicle-or-trailer-purchased-from-an-individual#:~:text=Massachusetts%20allows%20a%20grace%20period%20of%20seven%20(7)%20calendar%20days,at%20least%2018%20years%20old

dyqik t1_j9rkh00 wrote on February 24, 2023 at 1:27 AM

From that, if you are not exchanging a vehicle for another of the same type:

"There is no grace period if you do not currently have a registered vehicle or trailer. The RMV does not issue temporary registration plates."