MA trucks with commercial platesGot questions about your MA commercial plates? Our squad is here to assist. After 60+ years of insuring Massachusetts businesses—including those with sizeable fleets and heavy equipment—we are well-versed in country requirements and procedures. Farther, we believe a key aspect of our job is helping clients handle commercial plate transactions.

How should insurance agents assistance with commercial plates?

About business owners don't have time to go on Massachusetts RMV errands every time they buy a new truck or trailer. That's why our commercial lines team takes registry chores off our clients' plates. We operate an in-house registry from our Mansfield, Massachusetts part, which means we can handle MA RMV Services for new plates, plate renewals, plate transfers, and more—without leaving our office.

For transactions that do require a trip to a local RMV co-operative, nosotros employ several "runners," who are defended to processing your commercial plates in a timely, efficient manner.

How has COVID-19 afflicted commercial plates in MA?

The Massachusetts RMV was already a pretty decorated place, pre-COVID. And the pandemic has simply made wait times longer. As you probably know, select registry branches are open by appointment merely. Appointment availability varies by branch, but on average (as of October 2020), locations seem to exist booking at to the lowest degree two weeks out. Delayed access similar this can have a serious bear on on your business. Ask us how we can assist get plates done faster: 508.339.2951.

How does C&Southward Insurance streamline processing for commercial plates MA?

As noted above, we offering in-house registry services that allow us to featherbed the RMV in many cases. For all other cases, our runners operate five days a week. The registry's processing time for commercial transactions couriered by runner is approximately five to seven business days. This means our clients' plates are getting processed faster (and easier!) than those of MA businesses who are scheduling their ain appointments.

I'm non a C&S Insurance customer. How tin can I process my commercial plates in MA?

You tin visit the MA RMV website and follow the prompts to make an date. Meanwhile, we are happy to discuss your commercial auto insurance needs! There's a good risk we'll be able to improve on your current rates and coverage terms. Nosotros tin can definitely facilitate your RMV service needs.

When do MA commercial plates expire?

All MA trailer plates expire November 30th. All MA commercial plates elapse on Dec 31st. In both cases, it does not thing when you first registered the vehicle or trailer. The expiration date is e'er the same each year.

How do I renew commercial plates MA?

Yous may have a few different renewal options, including online, by telephone, past postal service, or in person (by engagement merely during the COVID-nineteen pandemic). Here's our detailed advice on when and how to renew MA commercial plates and trailers.

Who needs commercial plates in MA?

Does your truck (or other vehicle) require MA commercial plates? In well-nigh cases, if yous are using the vehicle for concern purposes, the answer is yes—at least from an insurance perspective. (For example, if you lot turn snow for coin, your truck should have a commercial plate and a commercial insurance policy to go with it.)

Simply if yous think there's some grayness area surrounding your situation, here's a closer await from 2 unlike bodies that define and regulate commercial trucks:

Federal Regulators (the FMCSA) – Says a vehicle is "commercial" if it weighs 10K lbs+ (including intended cargo/payload) or is designed to transport viii+ people (including the driver). If your vehicle(s) meet this definition, past the way, you may also need to obtain a USDOT number.

Land Regulators (MA RMV)  – Massachusetts offers a longer, more than detailed definition of a "commercial vehicle." Essentially, MA law says your vehicle requires commercial plates if you lot're using it to "carry goods, wares or merchandise for rent, gain or reward." As well if you're using information technology to get to and from a job site, where any compensation is involved. A breakdown of the official criteria is beneath (paraphrased for simplicity):

If your vehicle does Not fit into one of these 8 categories, and so Aye, it's commercial:

  • an 'apportioned vehicle,'
  • a private passenger motor vehicle
  • a personal transportation network vehicle,
  • an antique motor car,
  • a motorbike,
  • a trailer or semi-trailer,
  • an auto habitation or business firm trailer,
  • a taxicab, ambulance, hearse, livery vehicle, bus, school bus, or school pupil transport vehicle

Additional Indications That Your MA Truck Needs Commercial Plates

  • If your vehicle weighs more more than than six k pounds (unless it'southward an SUV or private passenger van, pickup, or camper), the Yep, it'southward commercial.
  • If your vehicle has more than five wheels (unless it is registered to you lot for strictly personal utilise), the Aye, it'southward commercial.
  • If your vehicle is owned by a partnership, a trust, or a corporation (unless somehow information technology still meets the definition of private passenger motor vehicle), then Yeah, it's commercial.
  • If your vehicle is carrying/storing supplies, materials or equipment at a "job site" and bounty is received for work at said job site (i.e. it's non a personal project), then YES, it's commercial.
  • If your vehicle has business organisation branding or advertisements on information technology (unless your org is tax exempt or yous're indicating information technology'due south a ride-share vehicle), the YES, information technology's commercial.
  • If your vehicle is used for hire, for the purpose of snow removal, then Yes, it's commercial.

What do commercial plates in MA cost?

Co-ordinate to Massachusetts 2019 Schedule of Fees, the toll to register MA commercial plates is $40 per ane,000 lbs (up to five,000 lbs),  and $20 per 1,000 lbs (over 5,000 lbs). This means a heavy-duty commercial pickup truck weighing 10,000 lbs (and capable of hauling two,000 pounds of cargo*) will cost $240 to register. Commercial trailers likewise run $xx per i,000 lbs.

*Go along in mind, per the MA RMV, commercial truck and trailer fees are determined past the combined weigh of the vehicle itself and whatever information technology might carry, at max. This combined weight is known as the "registered gross weight." It's upwardly to you to determine this number, based on how you lot intend to use your truck/trailer, being mindful of max capacities fix by the manufacturer.

If you need help with registering, transferring, renewing commercial plates MA–and you're interested in reviewing your commercial auto insurance programme–please don't hesitate to contact our experts: 508.339.2951.