Massachusetts License Plate
The New Jersey license plate lookup from Detailed Vehicle History is a one-stop license plate search solution for anyone considering buying a used vehicle in New Jersey to ensure you get the right vehicle with no issues.
Table of Contents
What is a Massachusetts License Plate Lookup?
The Massachusetts license plate lookup is a tool you can use to look up the license plate number and get the vehicle history report. This service can be used for both buyers and sellers who want to buy or sell a vehicle, so they know the actual condition of the vehicle they are selling or buying.
When buying a used vehicle, you must use the license plate lookup to learn about its past, including accident history, title status, ownership records, and more. The second-hand vehicle might have a dark past that the buyer or the seller must unmask to avoid scams, costly maintenance, or even stolen vehicles.
Is There a Way to Get a Free License Plate Lookup in Massachusetts?
Although a free vehicle report history does not include all the information about the vehicle, it guarantees that the report is a good starting point. By using our free license plate lookup, you can get the complete basic information of the vehicle.
- Associated VIN number
- Year, Make, and Model
- Country of Origin
- Market Value
- Transmission Type
- Fuel Type
- Drive Type
- Body Type
- Trim Information
- MSRP
- Engine Specifications
- Dimensions
- VIN
- Engine Value
- MSRP
- Manufacturer
- Fuel Type
- Body Type
- Year & Model
- Transmission
- Vehicle Type
- Sales Record
- Drive Type
- Mileage
- Market Value
- Doors
- Country of Origin
Why You Should Do a Massachusetts License Plate Lookup?
A license plate lookup is a valuable tool for both buyers and sellers. For buyers, it helps confirm the vehicle’s history, ensuring it is not stolen, has no outstanding loans, and matches the seller’s description. Without this step, you could unknowingly purchase a stolen car or one with a hidden past, leading to legal or financial issues.
For sellers, running a plate lookup builds trust with potential buyers. A clean history report can make your vehicle more appealing and help justify its price. It also prevents disputes after the sale by offering full transparency.
What Kind of Information Will I Be Getting on a Paid Report?
Unlike the free license plate look-up version, this version provides a complete report for your vehicle without restrictions.
Here’s what you can expect on the paid version of the report:
Vehicle Details
Offers comprehensive insights into the car’s year, manufacturer, model, trim, engine configuration, MSRP, country of origin, standard seating, and more.
Accident Records
Identifies past accident involvement, clarifying the car’s safety profile. In this section, you’ll get to see how many times the vehicle was involved in an accident, the date, and the location.
Previous Ownership
Outlines the history of past owners. See the location, the year of purchase, and how long they kept the vehicle.
Damage Verification
Check if the vehicle has ever suffered from any damage caused by a natural disaster like a flood, fire, hail damage, dents, scratches, or major/minor damage caused by an accident.
Auction Record
Indicates whether the vehicle was listed or sold at auctions, which may affect its market reputation. See the auction location, date, and the last price of the vehicle; thus, you will also get up to ten pictures that show the vehicle’s condition during the auction.
Title Information
Discloses whether the vehicle has a clean title or has been labeled as salvage, rebuilt, or lemon. Ensure that the vehicle’s title is clean before you make any payment.
Loan or Lien Details
Highlights any unpaid loan or lien associated with the vehicle. This section helps you examine if the lien/loan tied to the vehicle is cleared off.
Recall Notifications
Consider any open recalls or unresolved safety matters that may require action. See the date of recalls and the steps taken by the manufacturer to fix the recalls.
Theft Status
Confirms whether the car has been reported stolen and subsequently recovered. In this section, you’ll see the date, location, and data source of the vehicle.
Mileage Verification
Ensures the odometer reading is accurate and not altered, preserving transparency in usage. In this section, you’ll see the date along with recorded mileage as well as the last recorded mileage of the vehicle.
Service and Maintenance Records
See the vehicle’s service history to clarify its reliability and upkeep. Check the date of service and maintenance, the location, and what parts were fixed or maintained.
Vehicle’s Past Usage
Check how the vehicle was used in the past and examine if it was used as a personal vehicle, rented, leased, or even used as a government vehicle.
Why is the Massachusetts License Plate Report Crucial?
Sabrina wanted to buy a used 2014 CADILLAC ESCALADE from a used car dealership in Boston. Before she paid for the down payment, she decided to use the Massachusetts license plate lookup, and this is what she saw on the report.
Actual Condition
- 1 accident record
- 2 Record of damage
- 1 specific event reported
- 1 auction record
- 1 lien or loan record
Seller’s Claim
- Never been in an accident
- Privately used
- Never been sold at an auction
Why Lookup's License Plate is a Must
- Helps the buyer get the actual information about the vehicle they are about to purchase
- Helps to avoid buying one that has its odometer rolledback or was in an accident
Outcome
- Sabrina decided not to buy the vehicle because it had been in an accident once
How Does the License Plate Lookup Work?
To perform a license plate lookup, follow these steps to get your report in less than a minute.
Enter the License Plate Number
Find the plate number on the vehicle and input it into the form on this page.
Review and Purchase
Submit the form, check the vehicle’s specifications, and proceed to payment.
Get Your Report
After the full report is generated, don’t forget to download the report in PDF format.
Why Use Detailed Vehicle History for a Massachusetts License Plate Lookup?
- Comprehensive Vehicle Insights: Gain access to over 150 data points, such as ownership history, odometer readings, accident reports, theft checks, and more, all designed to help you make an informed decision.
- Auction Image Access: Review up to 10 images from past auctions to see the vehicle’s real condition before it changed hands.
- Accurate Market Valuation: Get reliable price estimates so you know the fair value of the car and avoid paying more than it’s worth.
Laws and Legislation on License Plates in Massachusetts
The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles regulates and is responsible for everything related to license plates in the state. The Massachusetts RMV is obligated to oversee license plate issuance, renewal, and management and ensure compliance with state laws, including the proper display of plates and their replacement when necessary.
In Massachusetts, all motor vehicles, including cars, motorcycles, trailers, and commercial vehicles, must have valid license plates. However, off-road vehicles and farm equipment may be exempt from these requirements. For additional information, the number plate must be clean and not covered with anything. Thus, it must be lit up to be visible from sixty feet at night.
Where Should You Put the License Plate in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts requires that the license plate be displayed on the front and rear sides of the vehicle; nonetheless, the placement rule of license plates is different for cars and trailers.
Every car and trailer must have easily visible number plates. Cars need plates on the front and back, and trailers only need one plate. If there’s just one plate, it goes on the back.
License Plate Design in Massachusetts
The Massachusetts license plate design features a white background with red lettering. At the top middle section of the plate, the word “MASSACHUSETTS” appears with the displayed number in the middle part.
In the middle and bottom part, the “Spirit of America” slogan reflects the state’s pride in its historical significance, cultural contributions, and role as a symbol of American independence and innovation, celebrating Massachusetts as a cornerstone of American identity.
Types of License Plates in Massachusetts
Knowing the types of license plates is important if you live in Massachusetts and want to buy a used car registered in the state. Massachusetts has several types of license plates, so here are some examples.
Standard Plates
This is the common license plate type featuring the iconic slogan “The Spirit of America.” It is issued for most passenger vehicles.
Commercial Plates
It is exclusively issued for the company to register its vehicle used for business purposes. The commercial plate often has strict measurements for weight and legal restrictions.
Vanity Plates
You can apply for a personalized touch version of the license plate called the Vanity Plates, and you are allowed to customize the plates with custom alphanumeric combinations to make the vehicle unique.
Specialty Plates
The government of Massachusetts issued a license plate called the ” Specialty Plates ” to support various causes such as environmental protection, education, or veterans’ services. These plates often include unique designs distinct from other plates, such as the Cape Cod & Islands or Boston Red Sox plates, allowing residents to show support for their interests or communities.
Antique Plates
Antique Plates are available for vehicles over 25 years old that maintain their original condition. They are specifically made for classic car collectors and enthusiasts.
Motorcycle and Trailer Plates
Massachusetts also issues specific plates for motorbikes and trailers to ensure compliance with registration laws for all types of vehicles.
License Plate Costs in Massachusetts
- Standard passenger plates: $30 (1 year) or $60 (2 years)
- Specialty plates: $100+, depending on the design or cause
- Vanity/personalized plates: $80 plus registration fees
- Dr. Seuss specialty plate: $40 plus registration
- Replacement plate: $10
- Certificate of title: $75
- State inspection: $35
- Excise tax: Billed annually by the town of residence
- Sales tax: Paid at registration for new vehicles
How to Register and Transfer a Car Title in Massachusetts
If you move to Massachusetts or buy a car from another state, you must title and register your vehicle with the Massachusetts RMV. There is no grace period; residency requires immediate transfer.
What you’ll need:
- Proof of Massachusetts auto insurance with agent signature and stamp
- Ownership documents: out-of-state title (or registration + lien documents if title is held by lienholder)
- Completed Registration & Title Application form (RTA).
- Sales tax exemption form (MVU-29) if applicable.
Fees & timeline:
- Standard title fee: $75
- Standard registration fee (private passenger vehicle): $60 for two years
How to Transfer License Plates in Massachusetts
What you must do:
- Ensure both vehicles are of the same class (e.g., passenger vehicle) and have the same number of wheels.
- Have current insurance coverage and the Registration & Title Application completed and stamped by your MA insurance agent.
- Bring original ownership documents for the current plates and for the new vehicle into which you are transferring the plates.
Fee & timing:
- The fee to transfer plates varies depending on plate type (standard vs special/vanity) — check the RMV’s Schedule of Fees
- After completing the application, you’ll receive updated registration and documentation from the RMV.
Privacy and the DPPA in Massachusetts
Massachusetts license plate lookup services follow the Driver’s Privacy Protection Act (DPPA), which restricts access to personal details tied to vehicle records. Information such as a driver’s name, home address, phone number, Social Security number, or license details cannot be disclosed without consent.
The DPPA, created in 1994, ensures that state motor vehicle departments no longer share or sell this sensitive data to marketers or third parties. Instead, access is limited to specific cases like:
This law helps keep driver information in Massachusetts secure while still allowing important vehicle history data to be accessed legally.
Fun fact about Massachusetts
- Massachusetts was the first state to issue license plates on September 1, 1903, to Frederick Tudor, an American businessman and merchant
- Early Massachusetts license plates were owner-provided, and owners had to paint their own numbers on a metal plate before the state began issuing standardized plates in 1909.
- Massachusetts was among the first states to experiment with reflective license plates in the 1930s to improve nighttime visibility and safety.
Other Useful Vehicle Check Tools
A car’s history matters. Use these tools to check ownership records, factory specifications, and past incidents to make a well-informed purchasing decision.
VIN Decoder
Window Sticker Lookup
Classic Car Build Sheet
Classic Car History Report
License Plate Lookup By States
License plate checks are not only available in Massachusetts. Our license plate lookups are widely available in all the states listed below.
FAQs About Massachusetts License Plate Lookup
Q. Can police find your address on the license plate?
A . Police license plate scans are restricted; they cannot reveal private details such as personal or financial records. The technology is governed by rules designed to safeguard privacy and prevent unwarranted intrusion, requiring suspicion of wrongdoing before use.
Q. Is it illegal to show someone’s license plate online?
A . It’s best not to show license plates in videos. It can cause legal issues. Those numbers can also be used for crimes. Blurring is a quick way to prevent that.
Q. Can you transfer the license plate to other people in Massachusetts?
A . Transferring your license plates to Massachusetts is a convenient process through the RMV. It’s easily done whether you’re getting a new vehicle or giving one to someone else.
Q. Is a Massachusetts license plate lookup legal?
A. Yes. A Massachusetts license plate lookup is legal as long as it follows the Driver’s Privacy Protection Act (DPPA). Personal details like the owner’s name and address are protected, but you can still access important vehicle history information.
