registering a car in MA

[allli.livejournal.com]

Does anyone have an opinion or information on how illegal or bogus registering a car in the state you just moved FROM is, even though you now live in Mass?

Complications include transferring my insurance (Geico isn't in Mass) and converting my out-of-state driver's license (it's $110). Can I just pretend I'm still from NH, keep my plates and so forth? Or will someone notice since I'm now registered to vote in Mass?

Comments

[queue.livejournal.com]

I don't know if anyone will notice, but it certainly is illegal. I believe you have 30 days (although it might be 60) from the date you move to change your license and registration over to Massachusetts.

[queue.livejournal.com]

From the RMV Web site:

You must register your vehicle in Massachusetts as soon as you become a Massachusetts resident. The law does not provide a grace period.

(http://www.mass.gov/rmv/new_res/regoos.htm)

[fosphorescent.livejournal.com]

Registering my out of state care is causing me so much stress. Before moving here, I never changed the title of my car...it's under my parents name. My parents live in California, and this process is about to drive me nuts! Why does it have to be such a complex process? :-(

[talonvaki.livejournal.com]

Geico isn't in Mass?
Why are there so many ads for it on Massachusetts TV stations?

[kundrie.livejournal.com]

No, it isn't. Neither Geico nor Progressive offer insurance here, so
I've often wondered the same thing--why do they show ads here?

[csbermack.livejournal.com]

The ads are bought based on national coverage, or the companies sell insurance other than car insurance, or the broadcasts cover parts of other nearby states. The companies aren't in MA because car insurance is regulated, so every company will give you the same price based on your car, where you park it, and your driving rating.

Practically speaking, I had an out-of-state license and a locally registered car for months and got a TskTsk when I got pulled over. But if you're planning to stick around, might as well do it all as soon as practically possible.

I would consider it mighty sketchier to register a car to an address you no longer live at than to just fail to transfer the registration when you move, fwiw.

I did it for 4 years

[cthulhia]

while I was living off borrowed, leased cars from my parents, and never had one long enough to merit registering it in my name, transferring the insurance, etc.

if you are an unremarkable, safe driver, and you own an off-street parking space, you can do it.

However, you can't get a parking permit, which can suck. And, if you get a porter square permit, the attendants will regularly question why your car isn't registered in this state.

If you get into an accident, and you have no one still living at the address in the state where your car is registered, whose name is on the lease or title, you could conceivably get into a lot of trouble.

I really like having a car I can move to the street so my out of town guests can park. And I like being able to park in permit-only streets in Somerville. After 4 years of my contraband cars, it was refreshing.

Re: I did it for 4 years

[bratling.livejournal.com]

if you are an unremarkable, safe driver, and you own an off-street parking space, you can do it.

you can ... if you're willing to risk being sued for fraud by your insurer, if something *does* happen.

at the best, they'll refuse to pay out on whatever happened. at best.

[dj-daeva.livejournal.com]

i actually just went through all this...

you don't have to change over your license to register your car in mass...but you do have to register in mass (unless you aren't a resident of massachusetts, i.e. for school, etc).

but there are advantages to changing over your license (i.e. less points = less insurance).

to be honest, insurance in mass isn't that bad...based on my driving record and my location, etc...my insurance is only like $100 a year more here than it would've been in RI.

like i said...you can register your car in mass with your NH license and it won't make much of a difference if you have a solid driving record...well in the short term anyway :o)

hope that helps :o)

<3

[csbermack.livejournal.com]

You're supposed to move the license too:
"If you have recently moved to Massachusetts, you must obtain a valid Massachusetts license upon becoming a resident." from massrmv.com.

They *can* bust you for it when they pull you over, and technically, bars and clubs are supposed to refuse your out-of-state license as ID.

[dj-daeva.livejournal.com]

like i said, if you are a temporary resident you don't have to change it over...and you don't have to have a MA license to register your car...not to REGISTER your car...but EVENTUALLY you do need to change it over.

i wasnt trying to imply that you could keep it like that permanantly...i was just talking about buying yourself a little time.

sheesh...lol

<3

[siderea]

bars and clubs are supposed to refuse your out-of-state license as ID.

Hello, what? How does that work with, say, tourists from out of state?

[blowtorch-betty.livejournal.com]

No kidding.

It's all government issued ID, I thought they had to take it?

[othniel77.livejournal.com]

Keep a P O Box in state you've moved from, or use friend/relative's mailing address. Pay your insurance bill online. You'll have to go back to NH to register each year, or do it online. It's a hassle, but it saves you beaucoup $. No one will notice; they'll just assume you're a student.

[fanw.livejournal.com]

I moved here last fall and had to go through this. I went ahead and registered, partly so I could get local insurance. You're right, Geico and Progressive and all that aren't in Massachusetts because Massachusetts has some pretty arcane rules and many laws which practically require a local (not national) company. I had Geico and asked them about transferring and they suggested a local company. Your insurance probably has a Massachusetts partner which they can send your information to pretty quickly. The downside? Insurance in MA is pretty expensive. The plus side? If you ever get in an accident, your insurance will actually cover you without making a fuss.

[cold-cold-water.livejournal.com]

i just moved in late may and had to switch so i can commisserate about what a crappy experience it is. i did have to switch over both my license and registration/insurance in order to get a davis permit, and you can't park on the street as a resident with out-of-state plates. i would suggest just moving it over, even though it *is* expensive. what else are you going to do? you could get sued, or probably get a ticket or something. and nothing else matches the satisfaction of knowing you can move your car onto the street if you have to. although it is super expensive and was particularly annoying when i had just gone through the whole inspection process in nj (and wouldn't have had to get it reinspected for a couple years yet!), for FREE, and then i had to come here and pay $90 to switch over my license, $50 to switch over the title, $30 to go through inspection...

roads

[anthonydreamer.livejournal.com]

you want to use the roads and not pay taxes? go back to texas, bushie...

[5seven.livejournal.com]

if your registered you vote here you have to be a resident here, yes?
if you are a resident, you have to notify the RMV of any change of address within 10 days.

at any rate dont be one of those people who have out of state plates and get their car flipped during sox/yankee games.

just to be safe get a redsox sticker on your car anyway, and quick.