Commercial and Trailer Plate Renewal in Massachusetts

UPDATE DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC: Need RMV transaction help for your MA trailer or commercial vehicle? If you are a C&S Insurance client, we are here for you! (Unfortunately we cannot provide RMV services to non-clients.) Contact your agent or dedicated account manager here. We’ll get it done!

It’s that time of year again: commercial plate and trailer plate renewal! Here at C&S, the fall season goes hand-in-hand with getting our clients’ Massachusetts trailers and commercial trucks ready for this annual deadline.

Key Takeaways

• All Massachusetts trailer plates expire on the last day of November and all commercial plates on the last day of December, regardless of when the vehicle was first registered.
• Unregistered means uninsured: An unregistered truck or trailer isn’t covered even when it’s listed on your policy. Renew before the deadline even if you plan to park the vehicle over winter.
• You can renew online, by mail, by phone, or in person once your RMV3 arrives, but mailing forms at the last minute risks delays.
• At C&S Insurance, an agent can handle renewals for you. C&S processes commercial and trailer plates directly from its Mansfield office, sparing owners the long RMV line.

Did you know  that all MA trailer plates expire on the last day of November, no matter when you originally registered the vehicle? Similarly, all MA commercial plates expire on the last day of December, with the same circumstances. As you can imagine, this creates a bit of a rush for Massachusetts RMVs. To keep you compliant and stress-free (at a time of year when life is already busy enough), we offer the following tips to anyone who owns or manages commercial vehicles:

1. First, review your options for renewing:

You can renew your plates as soon as you receive your RMV3 (s) in the mail. Here are the different ways to renew:

• Online: If your registration renewal application reads “Ins Stamp Not Needed” (because the RMV already has your insurance info on record), you can process your renewal online. You should receive your registration and plate decals in the mail within 10 days.
• By Mail: If your registration renewal application reads “Ins Stamp Not Needed”, you can also return it by mail. Just remember to sign the back(s) and include a check (or multiple checks) made payable to MA DOT. (ATTN: Mail-In Registration, Registry of Motor Vehicles, PO Box 55891, Boston, MA 02205) See Tip #3 for advice on renewing by mail.
• In-Person: At the RMV or at our Mansfield office. Yep, that’s right, you could avoid the RMV if you worked with C&S. (See Tip #3)
• Via Phone: If a phone ID number is included on your notice, you can renew over the phone.

Not sure which of these methods is available or best suited for you? Skip ahead to Tip #8!

2. Gather the necessary materials.

Make sure you receive a renewal application for each commercial vehicle you own. If your renewal app says an insurance stamp is required, your insurance agent will need to stamp the form and sign it before your can renew. Once the MA RMV has this information on file (e.g. for next year), you won’t have to repeat this step. Be sure to sign the back of your forms and bring a check for each vehicle you are renewing. Didn’t get a renewal card in the mail? See Tip #6.

3. Avoid sending renewal forms by mail, if you’re cutting it close.

Massachusetts is home to roughly 600,000 small and mid-sized businesses. A fair number of those own at least one commercial vehicle, which means… The registry receives an immense amount of renewal forms in a short period of time. So if you’re doing things last-minute, it’s not always the best idea to submit commercial plate renewal forms via post. Mailing may put a hold on the process, and it can be especially dangerous if you wait too late in November or December.

At C&S, we recommend renewing plates in person (at your local Massachusetts RMV) or online (at www.Mass.gov).

Don’t love either of those options? You can also… wait for it… renew your plates right here at our Mansfield insurance office! We offer in-house MA RMV services. If we can’t complete your renewal in-house for some reason, we are more than happy to send a runner to the registry for you.

4. Renew commercial and trailer plates regardless of usage plans.

Even if you are not planning to use your commercial vehicle or trailer over the winter months, it still needs to be registered. A common mistake many business owners make is ignoring renewals for trucks and trailers they intend to park until March. In theory, this approach could save you time and money, but in reality, un-registered = un-insured. So if something were to happen to your equipment (e.g. a tree falls on your pickup, an employee uses your van for a quick errand and totals it), this damage would NOT be covered by your insurance–even though the vehicle is listed on your policy. Yes, you read that right. Un-registered = un-insured.

5. Cancel your registration if applicable.

Not using that commercial vehicle at all? Here’s how to cancel you MA plates online.

6. Didn’t receive a registration renewal application? Check that you are eligible to renew!

Some commercial vehicle owners will not be eligible to renew and will not receive a renewal application in the mail. This can happen if 1.) your vehicle/trailer registration was suspended or revoked, or 2.) You have unpaid parking tickets, excise tax, or EX-Pass violations. If you think you might fall into one of these categories, check on MyRMV for your vehicle/trailer registration status. If you should have received and application and didn’t, you can find the RMV3 form here.

7. Got leased vehicles? Look out for the renewal application from your leasing company.

If you are leasing a vehicle or trailer, the RMV will send the renewal application to the leasing company. Look out for that document from the leasing company, and then renew the registration through one of the methods listed above. The new registration and plate decal will be mailed to the leasing company. If you do not receive your new registration and plate decal 7 days before the expiration of your existing registration, you should contact your leasing company.

8. Make sure your insurance agent helps with commercial and trailer plate renewal!

Other agencies may disagree, but we think the chore of commercial/ trailer plate renewal should fall to agents–not busy owners, who hardly have time for a sandwich… let alone a two-hour RMV line. We take pride in the amount of guidance and support we are able to provide our clients, especially when it comes to RMV services. If you find you are not getting proactive help or value-added services from your current agent, you may want to renew your insurance partner, too.

Bottom line, business insurance is expensive. Don’t settle for anything less than a dedicated agent. Make sure you’re getting what you pay for. Give us a call at 508.339.2951, or stop in any of our four offices: Mansfield, Attleboro, Dedham, and Bridgewater.

FAQs

What happens if I miss the November or December plate renewal deadline?

If you miss the deadline, your plates expire and your vehicle becomes unregistered, which in Massachusetts also means uninsured. Driving on expired plates can incur fines, and any damage to an unregistered vehicle won’t be covered, even if it’s listed on your policy. Renew before November 30 for trailers and December 31 for commercial plates to stay protected.

When do Massachusetts snow removal plates expire?

Massachusetts snow removal plates expire on September 30 each year, ahead of the winter plowing season, rather than on the standard commercial plate deadline. Renewing before that date keeps your plow vehicle registered and insured when you need it most.

Do I need a commercial plate for my vehicle, and how is “commercial” defined?

You generally need a commercial plate in Massachusetts if you use the vehicle for business. Federal rules define a commercial vehicle as one weighing 10,000 pounds or more, or built to carry eight or more people, while the state RMV uses its own broader definition. If you plow or haul for pay, your truck typically needs a commercial plate and a commercial policy.

Do I need insurance to register a trailer, and what is the insurance stamp?

To register a trailer in Massachusetts, you’ll need an insurance stamp on your application the first time, verifying you carry vehicle insurance. Your agent stamps and signs the form before you register. On renewals, the stamp usually isn’t required again, since the RMV already has your insurance on file.

How much does it cost to renew commercial or trailer plates?

The cost to renew commercial or trailer plates in Massachusetts depends on the plate type and, for commercial vehicles, the vehicle’s weight, since heavier vehicles carry higher fees. You’ll owe a separate fee for each vehicle you renew. For exact amounts, check the RMV’s schedule of fees or ask your agent to confirm before you renew.