Thread: Massachusetts rodders - registration question...

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How difficult was it to register a rod in Mass which was purchased out of state?

I've been to the RMV site and done my reading but... realistically what kind of experience is this going to be? Talking about a clean title 40's pickup w/ stroker 383, 350 trans, DB, Fuel Cell in bed, Turn signals, seat belts.

Are they going to want to send me through an inspection or am I completely exempt?

When I moved out here almost two years ago went through the whole RMV-1 form where Mass essentially throws out your previous state title number and replaces it with their own. It's only one form but needs to get notarized by the insurance company, yadda yadda. Just hoping there isn't any issue with an inspection and some square looking the truck and denying me because it's not the original engine so is therefor a "custom car".

Does Mass have antique plates? myself and a lot of my friends up here in NH run those. the requirements are much easier than the streetrod plates. hell one guy even has a 46 fenderless pu.don't know how this helps but thought I'd share

Yes there are antique plates however they are defined as,

"An "antique motor car" is any motor vehicle over twenty-five years old which is maintained solely for use in exhibitions, club activities, parades, and other functions of public interest. This includes test drives to prepare for such functions and transportation to and from repair facilities, and not used primarily for the transportation of passengers or goods over any way."

Which sounds like we can't occasionally drive to work or cruise around, use it for weekend fun/shopping etc. I don't know how strictly this in enforced by Mass police. I don't understand why they don't have more limited use/seasonal options available. I'm only planning on insuring it based on 5,000 mi per year.

Keith - how much do you drive yours up in NH?

Originally Posted by Gretsch

Yes there are antique plates however they are defined as,

"An "antique motor car" is any motor vehicle over twenty-five years old which is maintained solely for use in exhibitions, club activities, parades, and other functions of public interest. This includes test drives to prepare for such functions and transportation to and from repair facilities, and not used primarily for the transportation of passengers or goods over any way."

Which sounds like we can't occasionally drive to work or cruise around, use it for weekend fun/shopping etc. I don't know how strictly this in enforced by Mass police. I don't understand why they don't have more limited use/seasonal options available. I'm only planning on insuring it based on 5,000 mi per year.

Keith - how much do you drive yours up in NH?

Gretsch, I am in Mass also. I won't bother you with the hoops and hurdles I'll have to go through when trying to register my "contructed vehicle". But, if you have a clean title and a Notarized bill of sale from the previous owner, then you should be able to walk into your insurance agent and have them fill out the DMV-1 to which they'll add their stamp / proof of insurance, then go to the registry. Shouldn't be any grief. You will have to do a safety inspection within 7 days. If it's more than twenty years it'll be exempt from emissions.

Originally Posted by Gretsch

Keith - how much do you drive yours up in NH?

true, public display , club functions etc. but in the summer there is a cruise night somewhere everyday/night. as for mods. my 47 ford has all disks and a chevy clip and drivetrain. my friends 46 truck is actually on a nova chassis, he goes hoodless as well. I have never been bothered about my use of my antique plate, and I only need the stansdard safety inspection every 2 years(pre 49).I know lots of guys up thet register this way. Up here I believe the dmv does " hot rod" inspections, not your local friendly mechanic

Originally Posted by tudorkeith

true, public display , club functions etc. but in the summer there is a cruise night somewhere everyday/night. as for mods. my 47 ford has all disks and a chevy clip and drivetrain. my friends 46 truck is actually on a nova chassis, he goes hoodless as well. I have never been bothered about my use of my antique plate, and I only need the stansdard safety inspection every 2 years(pre 49).I know lots of guys up thet register this way. Up here I believe the dmv does " hot rod" inspections, not your local friendly mechanic

I'd like to know more about the "Hot Rod" inspections... I have a sister in-law that lives in Whitefield, NH and I was thinking about registering mine up there 'cause we heard it was easy! Now to find out the truth!

plus you beat the sales tax and isn't there an exise tax? last year before the rates went up, ny reg cost 21$ complete for the year. it'll be like 51 this year

Originally Posted by tudorkeith

plus you beat the sales tax and isn't there an exise tax? last year before the rates went up, ny reg cost 21$ complete for the year. it'll be like 51 this year

We currently have excise tax. And don't forget sales tax when you register here too, now 6% And then the title fee and registrations fee. And they're talking about raising those fees again too!