Code of Massachusetts Regulations
540 CMR - REGISTRY OF MOTOR VEHICLES
Title 540 CMR 4.00 - Annual safety and combined safety and emissions inspection of all motor vehicles, trailers, semi-trailers and converter dollies
Section 4.03 - Requirements for Initial and Subsequent Annual Inspection

(a) Inspection Upon Registration. Every owner or person in control of a motor vehicle which is newly acquired in the Commonwealth shall submit such motor vehicle for a required inspection within seven days of the date on which the motor vehicle is registered to said owner in the Commonwealth.

(b) Subsequent Inspection. Every owner or person in control of a Massachusetts registered motor vehicle shall submit the vehicle for the required inspection annually, no later than the date of expiration on the previously issued Certificate of Inspection or as notified in a manner prescribed by the Registrar. Early renewals are permitted.

(c) Validity of Certificates of Inspection. Certificates of Inspection displaying void(s) due to a windshield replacement, which are also displaying a duly issued Windshield Replacement Certificate, shall be valid until the expiration of the Certificate of Inspection or when ownership of the vehicle is transferred, or as notified in a manner prescribed by the Registrar, whichever occurs first.

(d) General Registration Holders. Every motor vehicle owned by a General Registration holder, except for motor vehicles held for sale and demonstration by a dealer, shall be inspected pursuant to 540 CMR 4.00.

(e) Farm Tractor. Any tractor or other self propelled vehicle used exclusively for agricultural or farming purposes, except automobiles and trucks, the use of which is declared by the owner or person in control thereof to be restricted to the period from a 1/2 hour before sunrise to a 1/2 hour after sunset and which is operated in or upon any way during such period shall be inspected and shall be equipped with one stop light and with brakes as manufactured, including a stationary brake with ratchet and pawl.

(f) Out of State Registration. Motor vehicles submitted for inspections that are registered in any other state or jurisdiction shall be inspected in accordance with the applicable provisions of 540 CMR 4.00 and the policies and procedures established by the Registrar. Vehicles registered in any other state or jurisdictions are not required to have an active or valid registration.

(g) Inspection upon Return to Commonwealth. A motor vehicle which is not garaged or operated within the Commonwealth during its assigned inspection period may be operated for 15 days after its return to the Commonwealth if the motor vehicle bears satisfactory proof of adequate Emissions or Safety and Emissions Inspection from another jurisdiction. The owner or person in control of the vehicle shall submit the vehicle for required inspection within said 15 days. A motor vehicle which is not garaged or operated within the Commonwealth during its assigned inspection period may be operated for three days after its return to the Commonwealth if the motor vehicle does not bear satisfactory proof of inspection from another jurisdiction. The owner or person in control of the vehicle shall submit the vehicle for required inspection within said three days. All vehicles actively registered which are either not garaged or operated within the Commonwealth or temporarily off the road and unable to be inspected during their assigned inspection period must notify the Registrar no later than the date of expiration on the previously issued Certificate of Inspection in a manner prescribed by the Registrar.

(h) Common Carrier Motor Vehicles. The mandatory inspection requirements of 540 CMR 4.00 are not a substitute for any inspection which may be required by the Department of Public Utilities pursuant to M.G.L. c. 159A.

(i) The Registrar, in his or her discretion, may issue a waiver for any of the requirements of 540 CMR 4.00 if, after investigation, he or she determines that such waiver is in the best interest of the public good.