Congratulations on your newly acquired automobile, a great gift to say the least. The following are the steps to registering your new vehicle.
- Get Massachusetts auto insurance. You cannot register a vehicle without it. Once this step is completed your agent will complete, sign and stamp the Application for Registration and Title.
- Fill out the appropriate Sales Tax Exemption form: There are two forms An Immediate Family gift form or a Non-Immediate Family gift form, both can also be found at your local insurance agent’s office
- Visit your nearest RMV to register your newly acquired vehicle.
- Get the vehicle inspected. Massachusetts allows 7 days after registering your vehicle to have it inspected. Even if the vehicle already has a sticker from the previous owner a new one is required, no matter how new the sticker is. This is very important. Without a new sticker you can be ticketed if you are pulled over for any reason and then you will receive a surcharge on your insurance premium.
Like any vehicle, fees are required at the time of registration. It is important to be aware that these registration fees vary by plate type. Normal plates are $60. The registry will also charge a $75 fee for a new title. On top of that there is also a $25 payment in lieu of the sales tax unless the donor is an immediate family member. As far as the registry is concerned immediate family members are: father, mother, brother, sister, son, daughter, husband, or wife.
When filling out your bill of sale (or title if the vehicle is already registered in MA) it asks for the amount the vehicle was purchased for. Since the car is a gift and no money is being exchanged, it is perfectly okay to write $0. Urban legend says to write in $1, but in reality, zero is all that is required.
At Columbia Insurance Agency, we understand how important your time is. With our services, we dedicate our time to make sure you save yours. Columbia is therefore proud to offer free at work appointments for those working in the Greater Boston area. A Columbia representative will set up an appointment with you, at your convenience, and visit you at your place of work to go over the paperwork and answer any questions you may have regarding your insurance. After the appointment the representative will then take the paperwork to the Registry of Motor Vehicles and complete the process in your place. Everything will be taken care of while you lose little to no time.
If you have any questions or would like to register a vehicle please call us at 781-598-5000.
Once again, congratulations on what may be quite possibly your best present ever!