Revenue, comfort expected as temporary license plate law goes into effect – Boston News, Weather, Sports

Under the terms of a new lawMassachusetts auto dealers and vendors can now begin issuing temporary license plates to out-of-state residents purchasing vehicles here.

Lenox Rep. Smitty Pignatelli, who co-filed the original version of a bill signed by former Gov. Charlie Baker on his way to the door Jan. 5, said the motor vehicle registry created a new “short-term non-resident registration transaction” for the first time available on Wednesday.

By allowing dealerships to issue temporary registrations for buyers who live in other states, drivers can bring their vehicles home from the parking lot instead of waiting for delivery. That saves merchants shipping costs and ensures sales tax revenue goes to Massachusetts, not a buyer’s home state, Pignatelli said.

“I am very pleased with RMV’s decision to start issuing time stamps,” Pignatelli said in a press release. “Not only will these changes make the process of buying a vehicle easier, but the Commonwealth will see tens of millions of dollars in additional revenue that we previously lost to other states.”

The temporary number plates are valid for up to nine days. To qualify, buyers must provide dealers with proof of residency, car insurance, and property damage insurance.

The change is “a matter of consumer convenience,” according to Robert O’Koniewski, executive vice president of the Massachusetts State Auto Dealers Association.

“As consumers shop online and across states, it will provide them with a better vehicle pickup experience,” O’Koniewski said in a statement from Pignatelli’s office.

(Copyright (c) 2022 State House News Service.