The Commonwealth of Massachusetts allows you to print a temporary, paper license plate from the RMV website if your license plate is lost, stolen, or damaged. Temporary license plates are not provided when you buy a new car in Massachusetts.
QUICK LOOK
- Massachusetts issues temporary license plates to residents who have submitted an application for replacement plates after theirs have been lost, damaged, or stolen.
- Massachusetts drivers who purchase a car can display their previous vehicle’s license plates for up to seven days in lieu of a temporary license plate.
- Massachusetts will only issue temporary license plates for a newly purchased car if the buyer is an out-of-state resident.
Massachusetts issues temporary plates under strict circumstances
The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) will issue temporary registration plates to Massachusetts residents under the following circumstances:
- Your Massachusetts license plates were lost or stolen, and you have requested replacements from the RMV.
- Your license plates are damaged or faded and have become illegible, and you have requested replacements from the RMV.
- You’ve requested a vanity or specialty license plate that is not in stock.
- You are an out-of-state resident purchasing a car in Massachusetts.
Temporary plates in Massachusetts are valid for 20 days, but you can request an extension from the RMV. You’ll also be sent a temporary plate permit for law enforcement purposes, which you should keep in your vehicle until your permanent plates arrive.
What to expect: The RMV will typically mail you your new license plates to the address they have on file within 12 weeks of your initial request.
How much does it cost to get a temporary license plate in Massachusetts?
The fee for a replacement Massachusetts license plate is $10 per plate. Your temporary license plates are included in this price.
Ineligibility exception: If your license plate needs to be replaced because it was damaged to the point that it’s illegible, you do not need to pay a fee.
How to get a temporary license plate in Massachusetts
You can order replacement license plates online or by phone. You will be asked to provide the following:
- Your vehicle registration number
- General information about the vehicle and the vehicle owner
- Payment of the applicable fee
You’ll be able to print out your temporary paper tags at home after ordering your replacement plates online.
Here are a few things to keep in mind when you order your replacement Massachusetts license plates:
- If you’ve lost both of your license plates: You will receive new ones with the same plate number as before.
- If you’re requesting temporary tags because both of your license plates were stolen: You will need to visit an RMV Service Center to be issued new plates with a new number.
- If you order plates online: You will only be able to order a front or back license plate—not both.
Learn more: Does Massachusetts require front license plates?
How to drive a new car in Massachusetts without temporary plates
Massachusetts law requires drivers to display license plates on a new car, but the state law does not permit the use of temporary license plates.
What to do: Drivers who buy a new car are allowed to temporarily attach the license plates from their old car to their new vehicle for a seven-day grace period while the registration transfer is being processed by the RMV.
After seven days, you’ll need to update your new car with its unique license plates, finished with valid registration stickers.
The temporary license plate exception: Massachusetts recently began issuing temporary license plates to non-residents who are buying a new car from a MA dealership to bring back to their home state. However, the law does not observe temporary license plates for Massachusetts residents who buy cars from out-of-state dealers.
Mary Cahill is an insurance writer specializing in general automotive knowledge and insurance and finance topics. Mary produces informative and useful content to help car owners make smart choices when buying cars and car insurance. She has written over 700 articles for Jerry on topics ranging from state driving laws to EV supercharger locations across the states. Before joining Jerry, Mary authored two novels while working as a case manager at the United Way.
Pat Roache is an insurance writer with over two years of experience in the automotive industry. With a focus on car insurance, maintenance, and brand reviews, Pat’s mission is to create engaging and accessible content that empowers readers to take autonomy over their car ownership. As a writer and editor with Jerry, Pat has penned over 600 original articles and edited over 1,000. Pat’s 8+ years of experience in the performing arts as a writer, director, producer, and performer lend to their keen eye for research and presentation. Most recently, Pat’s new English translation of Donizetti’s Italian opera “D[x]n Pasquale” had its world premiere in 2022 with Opera MODO (Detroit, MI). Pat also writes grants for an LGBTQ arts non-profit in Chicago, IL.
