garmp1 wrote:
OK, on the same topic, I'm trying to sell my RV to a couple from Massachusetts and they want to, after inspection, purchase, etc "borrow" my plates to drive home. I offered "transit" plates from my state, but they claim that that won't work in their state.
Here's the quote:
From agent: 'Buying a vehicle out of state and wondering if you can use temporary plates in Massachusetts? If you are a Massachusetts resident the answer is a definitive no. '
The Massachusetts Association of Insurance Agents reports that the Registry of Motor Vehicles issued a formal statement regarding whether paper or temporary plates are permitted on vehicles purchased by Massachusetts residents from out-of-state dealers.
"Massachusetts does not issue temporary registration plates for its own residents but it does recognize temporary registration plates validly registered in other states to non-residents of Massachusetts who are temporarily operating in this state (assuming the plates are not expired or suspended.) Thus, a Connecticut resident operating a motor vehicle in Massachusetts on validly issued temporary Connecticut registration plates is OK, but a Massachusetts resident operating a newly purchased motor vehicle in Massachusetts with validly issued temporary Connecticut plates is not.
A Massachusetts resident who purchases a motor vehicle in another state must apply for and attach valid Massachusetts registration plates to the vehicle before he/she can drive the vehicle back to Massachusetts."
I'm at a lose as what to do. Do I have liability issues with my plates on a RV I sold? Is Mass that hard to work with? Any ideas?
Massachusetts is indeed that hard to work with. They do not issue in transit permits, nor do they recognize them from other states for Massachusetts residents. They (apparently grudgingly) do acknowledge that they're legal for non-Massachusettes people driving through the state, but that's about it.
If your plates are on it, you're responsible for the vehicle in the eyes of the law. I would not leave the plates on it for some random person who has purchased my vehicle. (If I knew them personally, it might be a different matter.) I would be much more inclined to work out some way of delivering it myself than to let them drive off with my plates.
The best way to handle this, though not especially convenient, would probably be to sell the vehicle and hand over the title etc. with payment received. The buyers can then take the paperwork to the Mass. RMV, pay taxes and fees and fill out paperwork, and obtain their plates. Then, armed with the registration, they can return to pick up the motorhome. It does mean two trips rather than one, but that's the cost of being a Massachusetts resident.
Incidentally, for this very reason when I was looking for my motorhome I did not consider any that were in Massachusetts.