Titling & Sales Tax

*This question was answered based on current rules, regulations, and statutes in effect as of November 2024. Question I’ve been googling and checking out MAIA for the answer to how long someone has to request a title and/or pay sales tax on a purchased vehicle. I believe the 10 days for both is the best…

Minor Rules & Regulations

*This question was answered based on current rules, regulations, and statutes in effect as of November 2024. Question We have an insured who has a child who is 17 years of age, already graduated high school, and is working every day part-time. The child’s license is now being suspended for going 10 miles over the…

Odometer Reading

*This question was answered based on current rules, regulations, and statutes in effect as of November 2024. Question We have a registration for an antique vehicle out of Maine. Our customer bought it. He dropped a brand-new engine in it. He would like us to register/title the car in MA with “0” as the odometer…

Lienholder Code List

*This question was answered based on current rules, regulations, and statutes in effect as of August 2024. Question I know you sent me a list of electronic title states. Now I can’t find it! Would you please resend it or let me know how I can find it? Answer Kathy Cormier: Here is a link…

Age of RTA

*This question was answered based on current rules, regulations, and statutes in effect as of June 2024. Question I hope all is well! Is there a hard and fast rule about how old the stamped RTA form can be before the RMV rejects it? I assumed one month, but can you confirm that? Thanks for…

Surviving Spouse and Trailer

*This question was answered based on current rules, regulations, and statutes in effect as of June 2024. Question I have an insured (surviving spouse) who would like to retain 2 of her husband’s trailers. I understand that the surviving spouse process cannot be used on trailers. The RMV is looking for an approval for plate…

Business Merged with Name Change

*This question was answered based on current rules, regulations, and statutes in effect as of June 2024. Question I have a commercial client who merged his business with another. The name has changed, but the FEIN has remained the same. The insured has one commercial auto insured by Safety under the name prior to the…

RTA Questions & Answers

*This question was answered based on current rules, regulations & statutes in effect as of April 2024. Questions & Answers A few questions have come up at our agency, and I was hoping you could help. If a dealership (non-drive) sells a vehicle, is that dealership responsible for completing the RTA? If it is a…

Lease Buyout and Plate Reassignment

*This question was answered based on current rules, regulations & statutes in effect as of April 2024. Question Quick question for you. I’ve noticed recently that the registry has allowed folks buying out their leases to keep the same plates. Can you tell me what we check off on the RTA to indicate this? Answers…

RTA and Personal Information

*This question was answered based on current rules, regulations & statutes in effect as of October 2023. Question I hope all is well in your corner of the insurance universe!! We have been advised long ago by our IT/Security firm that MA Privacy Laws prohibit the emailing of driver’s licenses as well as other data.…

Disability Tax Exemption

*This question was answered based on current rules, regulations & statutes in effect as of July 2023. Question I hope all is well with you. I have a friend that I am trying to help out as her dad’s insurance person is not helpful with a question she has. I am hoping you can assist…

Canadian Vehicles

*This question was answered based on current rules, regulations & statutes in effect as of June 2023. Question We had an insured come in with a vehicle that was gifted to him from his parents in Canada. Do you know what we need to do to get it registered in Massachusetts? Thanks! Answer Kathy Cormier:…

RMV Title Question

*This question was answered based on current rules, regulations & statutes in effect in November 2022. Question I have a Dr. who bought out his leased vehicle; the current lease is in his medical practice name. The leasing company “sold “the vehicle to the medical practice naming the practice on the bill of sale and…

Can a Bobcat be Registered?

Question Can a Bobcat be registered?  This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on October 20, 2021: Can a Bobcat (very small four-wheel front loader that cleans the sidewalks of snow) be registered? Please advise! Thanks! Answer Kathy Cormier:  In the opinion of the Massachusetts RMV, a Bobcat (Skid Steer) is…

License Suspension Hearing

Question License Suspension Hearing:  This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on July, 2022: I have a customer that had their license suspended but has now cleared up all the issues for the suspension. What is the easiest way to get a hearing? Do you think walking into the Milford…

Antique Plate on Tractor

Question   Antique Plate on Tractor: This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on December, 2020: I am trying to find information in the Registry Procedures manual about registering a Tractor Trailer/Semi-trailer for personal use.  It’s a 1972 Peterbilt and is used personally and he is trying to register it…

New Registry Check Policy Change

Question New Registry Check Policy Change This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on June 14, 2021 I’m not sure if you are the correct person to reach out to, but I saw your contact information online and thought you might be a great starting point. I’m trying to find…

Surviving Spouse and Original Title

Question Surviving Spouse and Original Title This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on March 2, 2021 Can you please check with registry. Vehicle is registered in husbands name only he has passed away. There is still a loan on the car and bank says loan is in both…

Trailer C of O’s

Question   Trailer C of O’s This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on October 28, 2021: We are having this problem the RMV keeping the original Certificates of Origin and not accepting copies.  We are sending copies to the RMV but they are declining our paperwork saying they need…

NH Driver on a MA Policy

Question NH Driver on MA Policy This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on July 29, 2021 I am hoping that you can assist me… I have an insured who is adamant that I am incorrect because he has “been insured this way for years.” He has a NH Driver’s…

Power of Attorney and Surviving Spouse Affidavit

Question Power of Attorney and Surviving Spouse Affidavit This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on July 23, 2021 Vehicle in Husband/Wife name. Wife passed Husband has dementia Daughter has POA for father Can daughter sign the surviving spouse affidavit with the POA to sell the vehicle? Answer Kathy Cormier:  Yes,…

Duplicate Permit

Question Duplicate Permit:  This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on December, 2020: We have an insured that ordered a duplicate permit for his son months ago and still has not received it. Would appreciate any information that you can provide regarding the status from Mass DOT. Please let me know…

School Bus Conversion and Plate Type

Question   School Bus Conversion and Plate Type This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on October 6, 2021: I have an insured that purchased a school bus. They intend to use it for personal use only. Am I able to obtain a private passenger plate for this? Auto home…

School Bus Conversion and Plate Type

Question School Bus Conversion and Plate Type This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on October, 2021: I have an insured that purchased a school bus. They intend to use it for personal use only. Am I able to obtain a private passenger plate for this? Auto home plate?…

Blank Check with RMV

Question Blank Check with RMV This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on July 26, 2021 We wish to thank you for all your help with the registry. We do have a question on what the registry is currently doing. If an insured buys a vehicle from a non-dealer you…

Blank Check with RMV

Question Blank Check with RMV This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on July 26, 2021 We wish to thank you for all your help with the registry. We do have a question on what the registry is currently doing. If an insured buys a vehicle from a non-dealer you…

Register a Homemade Trailer

Question Register a Homemade Trailer: This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on December, 2020: My client would like to get a plate on his homemade trailer.   If it is under 3000 no vin number is required? Also, will he need receipts?   Thank You for your help… Answer Kathy Cormier:  The need…

Reducing Number of Seats in 15 Passenger Van

Question Reducing Number of Seats in 15 Passenger Van: This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on December, 2020: Regarding Business Auto. An insured purchased a 15 passenger van and is removing 2 rows permanently, thus allowing for 9 passengers. Can they report to the RMV that it is under…

Surviving Spouse Process

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Senior Driving Test?

Question Senior Driving Test?  This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on January, 2021: I am inquiring about driving exams for the elderly.  We have an insured who is 91 that was in an accident and is experiencing blurry vision.  I just received a phone call from her and her…

Plate Replacement

Question Plate Replacement: This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on October 18, 2021: If a customer needs to get a red plate to replace a green plate. Is there a fee? And what is the process?  If our runner goes, do we just need a RTA and her old…

License Status

Question License Status: This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on October 22, 2021:  When I look in the registry, the license under the current screen shows active, but it is Orange in color, when I go to the history screen the last transaction says suspended. So, I assume this…

Can a Bobcat be Registered

Question Can a Bobcat be Registered? This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on October 20, 2021: Can a Bobcat (very small four-wheel front loader that cleans the sidewalks of snow) be registered? Please advise! Thanks! Answer Kathy Cormier:  Here is what I received from the RMV on Bobcats: In…

Commercial Vanity Plates

Commercial Vanity Plates This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on October 18, 2021: I have a commercial client that is looking to order vanity plates for his fleet of vehicles.  Is there not a commercial portal like there is a Personal where you can order the plates? Answer Kathy…

Tractors

Question Tractors This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on September 14, 2021 I have a client with a John Deere tractor to mow grass and plow snow.  It is about the size of a pickup truck.  Last year while helping a neighbor with snow at end of driveway a…

Trailer Titles 2

Question Trailer Titles This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on September 07, 2021 We had a client that had a trailer that weighed 2950. Back in 2017 when she registered it the personal lines CSR typed in 3000 for weight. Now she is trying to sell it and the…

Company Signage on an Employee’s Truck

Question Company Signage on an Employee’s Truck This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on September 13, 2021 Have a client who wants to put his company info on a employee’s truck, is that remotely possible? Answer Kathy Cormier:  Are you talking signage? An employee can have signage from the business…

Lease Buy Out

Question Lease Buy Out This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on August 4, 2021 I hope this email finds you well and your enjoying summer! I’m running into a situation with a lease buy out. I’ve heard that there are 2 types of leases buy outs one a stamped…

Livery Plate or Commercial Plate

Question Livery Plate or Commercial Plate This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on July 16, 2021 We have a new customer whose policy becomes effective on 07.28, but he has a Livery plate that needs to be changed to a Commercial plate before the underwriter will sign off on…

Blank Checks with RMV

Question Blank Check with RMV This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on July 26, 2021 We wish to thank you for all your help with the registry. We do have a question on what the registry is currently doing. If an insured buys a vehicle from a non-dealer you…