🚗 When a Vacation Turns into a nightmare: A Cautionary Tale from Massachusetts

 

In 2003, a Virginia man took a long vacation to visit friends in the Jamaica Plain neighborhood of Boston. He parked his car on the street, got a couple of tickets, and thought that was the end of it. But weeks later, back home in Virginia, he received a letter from the Massachusetts RMV demanding that he register his car in Massachusetts—or risk having his license suspended.

Wait, what?

Turns out, Massachusetts has a little-known law—Chapter 90, Section 3—that requires anyone who operates or parks a vehicle in the state for 30 days or more in a calendar year to register it locally. Even if you’re just visiting. Even if you live and work in another state. Even if your car is legally registered elsewhere.

The driver tried to appeal. He sent proof of Virginia residency. He contacted the RMV ombudsman. He explained that he was just visiting. The RMV gave him a 60-day extension while they “investigated.” No final resolution was ever made public.

🧾 Bureaucracy or Money Grab?

Let’s be honest—this feels like a revenue trap, not a public safety measure. He couldn’t even get Massachusetts insurance because he wasn’t a resident. So what exactly was he supposed to do? Register his car in a state he doesn’t live in, for a visit that had already ended?

This isn’t just a one-off story. It’s a warning to anyone who drives into Massachusetts for an extended stay. If your car is parked too long, and someone reports it, you could be flagged. And once the RMV gets involved, it’s a maze of paperwork, appeals, and frustration.

🛣️ What Drivers Should Know

30 days is the magic number—even non-consecutive days count.

Complaints trigger enforcement—neighbors can report your car to the RMV.

Appeals are possible, but not guaranteed to succeed.

Out-of-state insurance may not satisfy Massachusetts requirements, making compliance nearly impossible.

🚨 CDL Drivers: The Hidden Risk to Your License and Livelihood

If you hold a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), a notice from the Massachusetts RMV isn’t just annoying—it could be career-threatening. Massachusetts has the authority to flag or suspend your driving privileges, and that action can ripple across state lines. Many states participate in the Driver License Compact, meaning a suspension or administrative action in one state can affect your CDL status nationwide. That could lead to employment issues, disqualification from driving commercially, or even termination—all because your personal vehicle sat too long on a Boston street. For truckers, this isn’t just red tape—it’s a red alert.

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🧭 Final Thoughts

This story is a reminder that state lines don’t always protect you from state laws. If you’re planning a long visit to Massachusetts—or anywhere with quirky DMV rules—do your homework. Or better yet, don’t park too long in one spot unless you’re ready to play legal ping-pong with the RMV.

 

Have you had a similar experience? Drop us a line. We’d love to hear your story. And not just for Massachusetts, any such laws and experiences anywhere – CDL, POV, ATV, ORV or watercraft that laws go too far and may be more ATM that public good.

 

 

Note, this story happened in 2023, as of this posting there was nothing available about the resolution to this case. If I get one, I will append.