How to cancel your Massachusetts vehicle registration

You cancel your Massachusetts vehicle registration by submitting a Request for Plate Return form (Form RMV-14) to the Registry of Motor Vehicles, either in person at a branch office or by mail. The Registry will deactivate your registration once they receive the form and your plates. You do not need to provide a reason, and you can cancel at any time — you are not locked into a registration period.

If you are selling the vehicle, the new owner will register it in their name and you will not need to file anything. If you are keeping the vehicle but no longer want it registered (because you are moving out of state, scrapping it, or storing it long-term), you must file the cancellation form yourself. Cancelling stops you from paying renewal fees and removes the vehicle from your driving record.

Key Takeaways

  • File Form RMV-14 (Request for Plate Return) at any Registry of Motor Vehicles branch or mail it to the address on the form to cancel your registration.
  • Return your license plates to the Registry when you cancel, or the Registry will bill you for unreturned plates.
  • If you sell the vehicle, the buyer registers it themselves — you do not need to file a cancellation form.
  • Cancellation takes effect when the Registry receives your form and plates, which usually happens within two to four weeks if you mail it.
  • You will not receive a refund for unused registration time, but you will stop paying renewal fees once the cancellation is processed.

Where to file the cancellation form

You can submit Form RMV-14 at any Registry of Motor Vehicles branch office in Massachusetts during business hours. Bring your registration card, license plates, and the completed form. The Registry will process it on the spot and give you a receipt. If you cannot visit a branch, you can mail the form and plates to the Registry's main office in Boston — the address is on the form itself.

Mailing takes longer than visiting in person. If you mail the form, include your registration card, both license plates (front and rear), and a cover letter with your name, address, and vehicle identification number (VIN). The Registry typically processes mailed requests within two to four weeks. Do not mail the plates without the form, or the Registry may not connect them to your cancellation request.

What happens to your license plates

You must return both your front and rear license plates when you cancel. If you file the form in person at a branch, hand the plates to the Registry staff and they will destroy them. If you mail the form, include both plates in the same envelope or package as your paperwork.

If you do not return the plates, the Registry will send you a bill for the cost of replacement plates. This bill can arrive weeks or months after you cancel, so returning the plates at the time you file prevents this charge. If you have already lost or damaged a plate, tell the Registry in your cover letter when you mail the form, or mention it to the staff if you cancel in person.

Refunds and renewal fees after cancellation

Massachusetts does not refund unused registration fees. If your registration was valid through December 2025 and you cancel in June, you will not receive a refund for the six months remaining. However, once your cancellation is processed, you will not be billed for the next renewal. The Registry removes the vehicle from its renewal system, so you will not receive a renewal notice in the mail.

If you receive a renewal notice after you have already cancelled, it means the cancellation has not yet been processed. Contact the Registry to confirm the cancellation went through, or file another form if the first one was lost. Keep your receipt from the in-person filing or a copy of your mailed form for your records.

Cancelling a vehicle you are selling

If you are selling your vehicle, you do not file a cancellation form. Instead, the new owner registers the vehicle in their name at the Registry. Your registration ends automatically when they complete their registration. You should remove your license plates before handing over the vehicle, or give them to the new owner so they can use them on the vehicle (Massachusetts plates stay with the vehicle, not the owner).

If the new owner does not register the vehicle right away, your registration will remain active until the next renewal date. You are responsible for any tickets or violations on the vehicle during that time if you still own it on paper. To protect yourself, file a bill of sale with the Registry showing the date and buyer's name. This creates a record that you no longer own the vehicle, even if the buyer has not registered it yet.

Cancelling a vehicle you are scrapping or storing

If you are scrapping your vehicle, the salvage yard will usually handle the registration cancellation as part of the process. Ask the yard whether they will file the cancellation form or whether you need to do it yourself. If they handle it, get a receipt or written confirmation. If you must do it yourself, file Form RMV-14 as described above.

If you are storing the vehicle long-term but plan to register it again later, you can cancel now and re-register when you are ready to drive it. There is no penalty for cancelling and re-registering. You will pay a new registration fee when you re-register, but you will not pay renewal fees while the vehicle is cancelled.

What to do if your cancellation is not processed

If you filed the form in person and received a receipt, your cancellation should be processed within a few days. If you mailed the form and have not heard back after four weeks, contact the Registry to check the status. Have your VIN and the date you mailed the form ready.

If the Registry says they did not receive your form, file another one. If you mailed the original, consider visiting a branch office in person this time so you have when ready confirmation. If you are still receiving renewal notices or bills after cancellation, call the Registry's customer service line to report the issue and ask them to manually remove the vehicle from their system.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to cancel my registration if I am moving out of state?

You should cancel your Massachusetts registration before you register the vehicle in another state. Some states will not register a vehicle that is still registered elsewhere. Cancelling removes it from Massachusetts records so you can register it in your new state without a conflict.

What if I lost my license plates?

Tell the Registry when you file the cancellation form. Include a note in your cover letter if you are mailing, or mention it to the staff if you are cancelling in person. You will not be charged for lost plates if you report them at the time of cancellation.

Can I cancel my registration online?

No. Massachusetts requires you to file Form RMV-14 in person or by mail. You cannot cancel through the Registry's website or by phone. You must submit the physical form and return the plates.

Will cancelling affect my driving record or insurance?

Cancelling your registration does not affect your driving record or insurance history. Your insurance company may lower your premium once you tell them the vehicle is no longer registered, since you are no longer driving it.

How long does it take to cancel after I mail the form?

Mailed cancellations typically take two to four weeks to process. The Registry must receive the form, match it to your vehicle record, and process the plate return. If you need faster confirmation, file in person at a Registry branch instead.