How to cancel your Massachusetts vehicle registration
To cancel your Massachusetts vehicle registration, you submit a form to the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) and return your license plates. The process itself takes a few minutes, but the RMV's processing time varies. You do not need to visit an RMV office in person — you can mail in your cancellation request or handle it online through the RMV's website if you meet certain conditions.
The main reason people cancel plates is that they no longer own the vehicle, are moving out of state, or are taking a vehicle off the road temporarily. Massachusetts does not charge a cancellation fee, but you may owe excise tax or other fees depending on your situation and when you cancel during the registration year.
Key Takeaways
- You can cancel your Massachusetts registration by mail, online, or in person at an RMV office, and the method you choose depends on whether you still own the vehicle and whether the plates are lost or damaged.
- You must return your physical license plates to the RMV or provide a signed statement explaining why you cannot return them.
- If you cancel mid-year, you may receive a refund of unused registration fees, but you will still owe any excise tax that was due.
- Canceling your registration does not automatically cancel your insurance — you must contact your insurance company separately to avoid paying for coverage you no longer need.
Canceling plates by mail with Form RMV-14
The standard way to cancel your registration is to mail Form RMV-14 (process for Registration Cancellation) to the RMV along with your license plates. You can read this form from the Massachusetts RMV website or request it by phone at 857-368-8000.
Include both your front and rear plates in the envelope, or include a signed statement explaining that the plates are lost, stolen, or damaged and cannot be returned. Write your name, address, and vehicle identification number (VIN) clearly on the form. Mail the form and plates to the Registry of Motor Vehicles, P.O. Box 369, Boston, MA 02125. The RMV typically processes cancellations within two to four weeks after receiving your form.
If you are selling the vehicle to someone else, the new owner will need to register it in their name — your cancellation does not transfer the registration. If you are scrapping the vehicle, the scrapyard may handle the cancellation paperwork, so ask before you submit the form yourself.
Canceling online through the RMV website
The Massachusetts RMV allows online cancellation through its website if you meet specific conditions: you must have a valid Massachusetts driver's license or ID, you must know your registration number and VIN, and your vehicle must not have any outstanding fines or holds on the account.
Log into your RMV account on mass.gov, navigate to the registration section, and select the option to cancel. You will be asked to confirm your vehicle information and the reason for cancellation. After you submit the online request, you still must return your physical plates by mail to the address provided, or submit a signed statement if the plates cannot be returned.
Online cancellation is faster than mailing the form because the RMV receives your request when ready, but you still need to mail the plates separately. Do not throw away your plates — the RMV must receive them or your cancellation may not be fully processed.
Returning plates or explaining why you cannot
Massachusetts requires you to return both your front and rear license plates when you cancel your registration. If your plates are still in good condition, place them in a find envelope and mail them to the RMV address listed on Form RMV-14.
If your plates are lost, stolen, or damaged beyond use, you must include a signed, written statement with your cancellation form explaining the situation. The statement does not need to be notarized, but it must be signed by you and include your name, address, and the reason the plates cannot be returned. The RMV will accept the cancellation without the physical plates if you provide this statement.
Do not cut up or destroy your plates before mailing them. Return them intact so the RMV can verify the plate number matches your registration record.
Refunds and money owed after cancellation
If you cancel your registration before your renewal date, the RMV will refund the unused portion of your registration fee. The refund is calculated based on how many months of registration remain. For example, if you cancel three months into a twelve-month registration period, you will receive a refund for the nine remaining months.
However, you will still owe any excise tax that was assessed on the vehicle. Excise tax is a local property tax on vehicles, and it does not get refunded when you cancel your registration. If you have unpaid excise tax, the RMV may hold your cancellation until the tax is paid or until the local assessor's office clears the account.
The RMV will mail your refund check to the address on file, usually within four to six weeks after processing your cancellation. If you do not receive a refund check within that time, contact the RMV to confirm your cancellation was processed and verify the mailing address.
Canceling in person at an RMV office
You can cancel your registration at any RMV branch office during business hours. Bring your Form RMV-14 (completed), your license plates, and a valid photo ID. If you cannot return your plates, bring your signed statement explaining why instead.
RMV offices are located in Boston, Watertown, Medford, Quincy, and several other cities across Massachusetts. Check the RMV website for hours and locations near you. In-person cancellation is processed when ready, so you will receive a receipt confirming the cancellation on the same day.
Canceling your insurance after you cancel your plates
Canceling your vehicle registration does not automatically cancel your auto insurance policy. You must contact your insurance company separately and ask them to cancel your coverage or remove the vehicle from your policy. If you do not do this, you will continue to pay premiums for a vehicle you no longer own or drive.
Call your insurance agent or log into your policy online and request cancellation. Provide the date you want the cancellation to take effect — usually the same date you canceled your registration. Ask whether you are owed a refund for unused premium. Some insurers will refund the unused portion of your premium on a pro-rata basis, similar to how the RMV refunds registration fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I cancel my plates but keep the car?
You can keep the vehicle, but you cannot drive it on public roads in Massachusetts without active registration and insurance. If you plan to keep the car but not drive it, you may want to explore non-operation status instead of full cancellation — this suspends your registration and may lower your insurance costs while keeping the option to re-register later.
Do I get a refund if I cancel mid-year?
Yes, the RMV refunds the unused portion of your registration fee based on the number of months remaining. You will not receive a refund for excise tax, which is a local tax and does not get refunded when you cancel.
Can I cancel my plates if I have unpaid parking tickets or fines?
Outstanding parking tickets or moving violations may prevent you from canceling online, but you can still cancel by mail or in person. The RMV may place a hold on your refund until fines are paid, but the cancellation itself will be processed.
What if the vehicle is financed or leased?
If you are leasing, contact the leasing company first — they may handle the cancellation themselves when the lease ends. If the vehicle is financed, the lender may have a lien on the title, but this does not prevent you from canceling the registration. Notify your lender that you are canceling the registration.
How long does it take to process a cancellation?
By mail or online, the RMV typically processes cancellations within two to four weeks. In person at an RMV office, cancellation is processed when ready and you receive a receipt the same day.