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MMA Alert: Clarification of RMV Status Concerning Motorcycle Registrations & Inspections

Doc D'Errico | Published on 5/8/2020
MMA Alert:
Clarification of RMV Status
ConcerningMotorcycle
Registrations & Inspections
Since the COVID-19 situation began to escalate, your Massachusetts Motorcycle Association has been providing periodic updates and answering questions with regard to the actions and status of the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles, specifically with regard to Motorcycles and Motorcyclists. As an example:

The most often asked question we receive is "I hear that Inspections are now due in July, is that true?"

Not for Motorcycles, no. For Passenger Vehicles (meaning cars and trucks) whose Annual Inspections expire in May, indeed those have been extended through July, however Motorcycles are specifically noted as only extended through June 30th:

  • All motorcycle inspection stickers originally set to expire on May 31 must be inspected by June 30.

The second most common question we receive is, "why can't I (re-)register my motorcycle?"

The answer is that you can - provided you do it online. The concern has been, and was reported several times to the MassRMV since the end of March, if you surrendered your license plates or don't have any.

Just like the constant updates from Governor Baker's Office and his team, the MassDOT and MassRMV have been continuously hard at work addressing your questions and attempting to develop strategies to deal with the growing backlog of Registrations and Renewals. As an example, the Registry has for quite some time been encouraging and processing License and Registration Renewals online and through the mail. One recent update is that they are now also processing License Plate requests as well, and the MassRMV has confirmed yesterday that this includes Motorcycle License Plates.

This has been especially important for some of our members who de-register their motorcycles over the winter months, or have purchased a motorcycle independently. Indeed, the Registry offices remain closed to walk-in visits, and are only processing "essential" (meaning primary and for business use) vehicle registrations. However, as we all know, the criticality of your motorcycle can quickly become your primary mode of transportation when your other vehicle is older or less reliable.

As noted in the RMV's updated procedures, however:

Reactivate your registration

Follow the steps below to reactivate a plate you have, or obtain new plates for a vehicle that was previously registered.
If your registration is in a cancelled status and you have your plate:

  1. Contact your insurance agent/company and obtain a completed Registration and Title Application (RTA):
    • Include the plate type and plate number for the plate you want reactivated in “Section A. Service Type”
    • Select Register Previously Titled Vehicle under “I want to”
    • “Section K” must contain an insurance stamp and signature
    • Policy change date or effective date cannot be more than 30 days old
    • Include your email address and phone number in “Section D9”

  2. Mail the completed application to:

    Registry of Motor Vehicles

    P.O. Box 55895

    Boston, MA 02250-5895


  3. An email with a link for payment will be sent to your email address provided once the transaction is processed.
  4. Once the payment is received, a new Certificate of Registration and decal will be mailed to the mailing address we have on record.

If your registration is in a cancelled status, and you DO NOT have your plate:

  1. Contact your insurance agent/company and obtain a completed Registration and Title Application (RTA):
    • Include the plate type and plate number for the plate you cancelled in “Section A. Service Type”
    • Select Change Plate on existing vehicle with no amendments under “I want to”
    • “Section K” must contain an insurance stamp and signature
    • Policy change date or effective date cannot be more than 30 days old
    • Include your email address and phone number in “Section D9”
  2. Mail the completed application to:

    Registry of Motor Vehicles

    P.O. Box 55895

    Boston, MA 02250-5895

  3. An email with a link for payment will be sent to your email address provided once the transaction is processed.
  4. Once the payment is received, a new plate, Certificate of Registration, and decal will be mailed to the mailing address we have on record.


Your Massachusetts Motorcycle Association extends its thanks to the team at the MassRMV for continuing to look into improving their services to our members and their customers over these many long weeks. We also extend our appreciation to all of you who continue to provide excellent service in whatever capacity during these difficult times.

For more information, see www.MassMotorcycle.org, the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles Website here:

https://www.mass.gov/info-details/rmv-covid-19-information#vehicle-registrations-and-inspection-stic

...or contact SafetyDirector@MassMotorcycle.org.

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