Dually in Massachusetts - NEW REGISTRATION LAW

[Aagalan]

For those of you like me that have a dually for towing and live in Massachusetts, READ THIS! Massachusetts recently changed the registration law and we NO LONGER HAVE TO RUN COMMERCIAL PLATES! The law changed at the end of 2018 and I just found out. Running commercial plates requires a $280 per year registration fee (14000 gvw dually) and a $75 inspection per year. IF you don't use the dually for commercial purposes, then it can now be registered as a passenger vehicle at a cost of $60 every TWO years and a $39 inspection fee. HUGE savings. Add in no more commercial tolls in many states and there are even more savings.

The OLD law stated the any vehicle with 5 or more wheels on the ground had to be registered commercial. Really - 5! Who comes up with these laws.

I happened on the info from a friend. Its not published anywhere. But I have my new passenger plates in hand and am saving $250 per year now. Finally getting a small break from the taxes! But I have faith that Massachusetts will find a new way to get that $250 savings back from me.

[jimp]

Nothing like having "faith" in your local gubberment. LOL

[madmaxmutt]

I cannot even drive near a Colorado DMV for less than $1100 in my F350 SRW. I can only dream of the low prices you get.

[Big1]

Wow, that is good news for those who live there.

[Midnightmoon]

PA did something similar last year with the registration of trucks/rv trailer combinations. We used to have to plate our trucks for the combination weight of the truck and trailer (if the trailer was over 10K GVWR). They removed that requirement for pulling an RV. It is a significant savings in registration costs for RV owners. The old rules still apply for non RV trailers however.

[norty1]

Thanks, I will quiz my local DMV. I asked about a few years ago and no dice.

[Aross]

Hey Aagalan, if you don’t mind me asking what insurance company did you use for insuring that truck with regular passenger plates? I called my insurance company today (GEICO) and they stated that even if the rules have changed they still require a vehicle with over 5 tires to be insured through a commercial policy. Thanks.

[KurtL]

This is not published anywhere because it is not true, Mass still has 5 wheels on ground must be registered commercial per 540 CMR 4.0224)(f). Also part of the definition of private passenger vehicle is 4 wheels. Folks at RMV don't always get things right.

[Nik Avalyn]

This is true! I had my dually, Silverado 3500, registered as a passenger vehicle last September. Rmv said it was fine. The state inspection guy was in awe that I was able to, simply because no one knew of the changes. Paid $35 for a sticker! 😁

[Kim Gass]

For those of you in Taxachusetts, it's worth a try.

though I wish they would put some money into that Auburn exit off the Tpk