Code of Massachusetts Regulations
540 CMR - REGISTRY OF MOTOR VEHICLES
Title 540 CMR 18.00 - Minimum Standards for Issuance and Use of General Registrations and General Registration Number Plates
Section 18.04 - Display and Use of General Registration Number Plates
Universal Citation: 540 MA Code of Regs 540.18
Current through Register 1531, September 27, 2024
(1) Display of Plates.
(a) General registration
number plates shall be displayed in accordance with the provisions of M.G.L. c.
90, §§ 5 and 6.
(b) The
Registrar may issue a combined temporary general registration number plate and
permit to temporarily replace a lost, stolen, illegible or mutilated plate and
may set the terms and conditions for the use of a temporary plate and for its
return.
(c) Operation of any
vehicle displaying a temporary plate after the plate expiration date shall be
prima facie evidence that the vehicle is
unregistered.
(d) Upon the earlier
of the receipt of a permanent replacement general registration number plate, or
the expiration date of the temporary plate, the temporary plate and permit
shall be void and shall be surrendered to the Registrar.
(e)
Out-of-state General
Registration Plate. No person licensed as a dealer under M.G.L. c.
140, §§ 58 through 69, and no employee or agent thereof, shall
operate a vehicle in this state owned by the dealer while displaying a general
registration plate issued in another state. A licensed dealer under M.G.L. c.
140 shall display a general registration plate issued by the Registrar or shall
transport vehicles by trailer, tow truck or other legal means if the dealer
does not qualify for a dealer plate from the Registrar.
(2) Use of General Registration Number Plates: General Restrictions.
(a) Unless otherwise authorized in
540 CMR 18.00 no person,
business or corporation shall loan, let for hire or rent any general
registration number plate or allow such a plate to be attached to a motor
vehicle in any manner in violation of
540 CMR 18.00. Such plate
misuse shall be considered a violation of M.G.L. c. 90, § 23.
(b) General registrations, general
registration number plates and permits for temporary number plates are not
transferable. They shall be surrendered to the Registrar if the business, as
described in the registration certificate, is sold, ceases to operate, or if
any applicable license or permit is suspended or revoked by the issuing
authority.
(c) A general
registration plate may not be displayed on a vehicle which is borrowed or which
is leased at less than market rates. The holder has the burden of proving that
a lease is at market rates. Acceptable evidence may include generally accepted
trade publications covering lease transactions in the relevant geographical
area for motor vehicles or trailers of a similar year, make, model and lease
period.
(3) Use of General Registration Plates: Specific Restrictions.
(a)
1. A dealer, manufacturer, dealer in boats
and boat trailers or a dealer in recreational vehicles and recreational vehicle
trailers, who has received a general registration number plate may operate or
tow a motor vehicle or trailer which is owned by the dealer or manufacturer and
is operated principally for demonstration or sale related purposes. A dealer
who has received a general registration number plate may not operate a motor
vehicle owned by the dealer as equipment utilized in the operation of the
business of said dealer, such as a courtesy bus or parts or service vehicle,
using the general dealer's registration number plate; however, a dealer may
operate a motor vehicle owned by the dealer using the plate for the purpose of
removing snow from the business property.
2. A motorcycle dealer whose inventory
includes an automobile or pick-up truck may attach a motorcycle general
registration plate to the automobile or pick-up truck if the vehicle is
operated for demonstration or sale related purposes; the dealer license issued
by the city or town under M.G.L. c. 140, § 59 authorizes the motorcycle
dealer to also sell automobiles or pick-up trucks; and the dealer's insurance
coverage allows use of the plate or automobiles or pick-up trucks.
3. A motor vehicle dealer whose inventory
includes a motorcycle may attach a general registration plate of standard size
to the motorcycle if the motorcycle is operated for demonstration or sale
related purposes; the dealer license issued by the city or town under M.G.L. c.
140, § 59 authorizes the dealer to also sell motorcycles; and the dealer's
insurance coverage allows use of the plate on motorcycles.
(b) A repairer who has received a general
registration and general registration plate may only operate with the
registration, motor vehicles, trailers or tractor-trailer combinations:
1. controlled, but not owned by the repairer
and operated for the purpose of repairing, altering, equipping or
reconditioning the vehicle or any transportation incidental thereto, and not
for commuting or other personal use; or
2. owned by the repairer and designed to
draw, tow or transport motor vehicles and displaying a compliance decal issued
in accordance with
540 CMR 18.03.
Such a vehicle may tow or transport an unregistered motor vehicle pursuant to
M.G.L. c. 90, § 9, if the towing vehicle is properly registered, displays
a repair plate, and maintains insurance which also provides coverage for the
motor vehicle being towed; or
3.
owned by the repairer and used primarily in the repairer's business, and
displaying on the vehicle the business name and the municipality where the
business is located in permanent lettering at least 1.5" in size, which is
plainly visible from each side or from the front and rear of the vehicle;
or
4. owned by the repairer and
classified as a total loss salvage motor vehicle as defined in M.G.L. c. 90D,
§ 1, if the following conditions are met:
a. the motor vehicle is being transported for
purchase, sale, repair, or testing; and
b. the operator carries a bill of sale or
salvage title for the vehicle; or
5. purchased by the repairer and transported
within ten days of the purchase date and the operator is in possession of the
bill of sale and the seller's certificate of title or a receipt for the
repairer's application for a certificate of title; or
6. owned by the repairer and operated for the
purpose of removing snow from the business property.
(c) A general registration holder shall
display the validation sticker assigned by the Registrar to the left of the
general registration number on the general registration plate so that the
current year validation sticker covers the prior year's validation sticker.
Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Massachusetts may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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