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- Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles
Registry of Motor Vehicles
The Details of Renew your vehicle or trailer registration
the Contents of the Renew your vehicle or trailer registration page
To renew your vehicle or
trailer registration, you must have an active insurance policy for your vehicle or trailer. Your registration renewal application that is mailed to you will tell you whether you have an active insurance policy on file with the RMV. If you don’t have an active policy, you must get your application stamped by your insurance agent to show proof of insurance. You will not receive a renewal application and you can't renew your registration if: You can check your vehicle/trailer registration status to find out whether you can renew. Registration fees vary by plate type. Refer to our
Schedule of Fees.What you need for Renew your vehicle or trailer registration
Fees for Renew your vehicle or trailer registration
How to renew Renew your vehicle or trailer registration
To renew your vehicle or trailer registration online, you will need:
- Your driver’s license number
- Last 4 digits of your Social Security number
- Email address
- Applicable fee
To renew your vehicle or trailer registration by mail, send your completed application (with insurance stamp, if applicable) along with a check or money order payable to MassDOT to:
Registry of Motor Vehicles
Attention: Mail-In Registration Department
PO Box 55891
Boston, MA 02205-5891
More info for Renew your vehicle or trailer registration
Vehicle/trailer registration renewal form
If you did not receive an application in the mail, you may download and complete the vehicle/trailer registration renewal form.
Leased vehiclesIf you are leasing a vehicle or trailer, the RMV will send the renewal application to the leasing company. You should get that application from the leasing company and renew the registration through one of the methods listed above. The new registration and plate decal will be mailed to you and a copy of the registration (without the plate decal) will be sent to the leasing company.
Registration or plate decal not receivedIf you renewed your registration online or by mail and have not received it in the mail, call the RMV's Contact Center.
Commercial Bulk and Fleet Renewals
The peak commercial vehicle registration renewal period occurs at the end of each calendar year. To guarantee all renewal transactions are processed on time, it is important to review the following documents. Renew your commercial registrations online now and avoid delays.
- Commercial Bulk and Fleet Renewal Options Letter
- Online Commercial Bulk and Fleet Renewal Step-by-Step
Downloads for Renew your vehicle or trailer registration
Contact for Renew your vehicle or trailer registration
- Check the status of your vehicle registration
- Cancel your vehicle registration (license plates)
- Replace your vehicle registration or plate decal
- Request a vanity license plate
About 60 days before a vehicle's registration expires, the N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles mails to the address on record a renewal notice that lists the vehicle's registration renewal fee as well as any vehicle property taxes due.
Vehicle
registrations must be renewed annually.
Both are due at the same time and can be paid online as well as by mail or at an NCDMV license plate agency as part of North Carolina's
Tag & Tax Together program that, under state law, transfers the responsibility of motor vehicle tax collection to NCDMV.
NCDMV uses an online service called PayIt that allows you to take advantage of completing multiple transactions during the same website visit. PayIt collects the $3 fee as payment for its services.
The State of North Carolina does not collect or benefit from the transaction fee. If you prefer not to pay the convenience fee, you can visit a local license plate agency or mail the payment into the address listed on the notice.
To renew online, the registered owner must have the vehicle’s license plate number and last five digits of the vehicle title number, both of which can be found on the renewal notice, the prior registration card or an individual’s MyDMV account.
Please Note
An aluminum shortage is forcing the N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles to indefinitely suspend its program to replace license plates that are older than six years. The move is being taken to help ensure there is enough material to produce first-time plates.
Requirements & Restrictions
Before renewing a vehicle's registration, the vehicle must first undergo a safety and/or emissions inspection no more than 90 days before its license plate expires. (Some vehicles may qualify for a waiver.)
North Carolina liability insurance
must be maintained continuously on a vehicle for registration to be renewed.
Registration Stops or "Blocks"
Under certain circumstances, an individual may not be able to register a vehicle. These are referred to as registration stops, or "blocks." Please review the list of registration stops and take the required steps to clear them before continuing.
Vehicle Tax Values & Appeals
Questions regarding vehicle values and appeals on tax values must be directed to the tax assessor in the county where the vehicle is registered, not NCDMV.
Registration Renewal Late Fees
Although an individual can legally operate their vehicle up to 15 days after their registration expires ("valid through" date), the N.C. Division of
Motor Vehicle charges a late fee up to $25 on all registration renewals paid after the license plate's expiration date.
Lost or Never Received Renewal Registration Notice?
A renewal notice isn’t required to renew a vehicle registration. To request a registration notice, however, send a message or call NCDMV at
(919) 715-7000.
In addition to paying online, renewals can be made at an NCDMV license plate agency. The vehicle’s license plate number and insurance information are required.
If a vehicle fails to pass an emissions inspection, its owner may obtain from a local license plate agency a 10-day trip permit that allows them to drive to an inspection station for
re-inspection once issues have been repaired.