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Massachusetts LSV & Boat Registration

This is an in-depth guide to Massachusetts Low-Speed Vehicle (LSV) and Boat Registration Laws. We created this guide to help you understand Massachusetts’s registration requirements for vehicles that operate on both land and water.

Is Massachusetts medium-speed vehicle friendly? No state law currently in place.

Street-legal registration and operating rules for low-speed vehicles vary by state and local jurisdiction and may change. This information is general guidance only. Confirm current requirements with your state DMV and local authorities before registering or operating your WaterCar on public roads.

Is license and registration required? For LSVs, yes. A Low-Speed Vehicle must be titled, registered, insured, and operated by a licensed driver in nearly every state. For boats, yes. A motorized vessel must be registered with the state’s marine or boating agency before it can be used on public waterways.

General Federal Law for Low-Speed Vehicles:

Under current NHTSA regulations, a Low-Speed Vehicle (LSV) is a four-wheeled motor vehicle with an attainable speed of more than 20 miles per hour but not more than 25 miles per hour on a paved level surface, and a gross vehicle weight rating of less than 3,000 pounds.


The federal standard (FMVSS No. 500, 49 CFR 571.500) requires low-speed vehicles to be equipped with headlamps, stop lamps, turn signal lamps, taillamps, reflex reflectors, parking brakes, rearview mirrors, windshields, seat belts, and a 17-digit vehicle identification number (VIN).


An LSV is NOT a golf cart. A golf cart is generally designed for speeds of 20 mph or less, is not federally regulated as a street vehicle, and in most states cannot be titled or registered for on-road use. Manufacturers self-certify compliance with the applicable federal safety standards. Registration and road access are separate questions for state and local authorities.


Find out more information on federal standards for low-speed vehicles at the NHTSA Low-Speed Vehicle page.

General Federal Law for Boat / Vessel Registration:

USCG guidance distinguishes state registration from federal documentation. Registration and display requirements depend on the vessel and the state of principal use. Check the state boating authority’s current requirements.

The Hull Identification Number (HIN) identifies the vessel and is separate from the road vehicle’s VIN. Use the hull identification and manufacturer’s ownership records when preparing the vessel application. The issuing agency determines how the HIN is verified.

Boat registration is handled by different agencies depending on the state – it may be the DMV, a Department of Natural Resources, a Fish & Wildlife agency, or a Parks & Wildlife department. Registration terms and renewal schedules vary; use the responsible agency’s current schedule.

What if my vehicle is both an LSV and a boat?

Road and vessel registration are separate processes. The reviewing agencies determine the records and applications needed for the specific vehicle and its intended use. California DMV publishes a dedicated amphibious vehicle/vessel procedure; confirm the applicable process with your state’s vehicle and boating agencies.

How to Register a Boat in Massachusetts

To register a boat in Massachusetts for the first time, submit an application to the Massachusetts Environmental Police Boat and Recreation Vehicle Registration and Titling Bureau. Boat registration is handled separately from vehicle and trailer registration, which is managed by the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles.

Follow these steps to complete your MA boat registration:

  • Complete the Registration and Titling Application.
  • Provide a bill of sale. The bill of sale must include the seller’s name, address and signature. If the boat was purchased from a business, the document must be printed on the company’s letterhead.
  • Provide proof of ownership. For a new boat, submit the original Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin. For a used boat that requires a title, provide the title properly signed over by the seller.
  • Provide proof that Massachusetts sales or use tax has been paid. The applicable tax is generally 6.25%. When tax is not collected by the seller, it can usually be paid through MassTaxConnect. Keep a printed copy of the payment receipt.
  • Provide the Hull Identification Number. Submit either a pencil tracing or a clear digital photograph of the boat’s HIN. Boats manufactured before 1972 or boats without a conforming 12-character HIN may require an inspection.
  • Pay the registration and title fees. The registration fee depends on the boat’s length. A separate title fee applies when a Massachusetts title is required.

Applications can be submitted by mail or in person at a Boat and Recreation Vehicle Registration office in Boston, Fall River, Hyannis, Springfield or Worcester. First-time registration is not completed through the online renewal system.


Once approved, the registration number must be displayed on both sides of the forward half of the vessel in contrasting block characters at least three inches high. The registration certificate should be kept on board whenever the boat is being operated.

Massachusetts LSV & Boat Registration Laws

Guidelines for LSV (Low-Speed Vehicle) Registration:

Registers as a Low-Speed Vehicle with the MA RMV – treated as a motor vehicle, including an annual inspection. Title with the MCO, carry insurance and a license, and pay the fee. No operation where the speed limit exceeds 30 mph.   → Official link: mass.gov/orgs/massachusetts-registry-of-motor-vehicles

Guidelines for Boat / Vessel Registration:

Register the boat with the MA Environmental Police. Provide the HIN and proof of ownership and pay the fee.

→ Official link: Massachusetts first-time boat registration

Back to Registration

Can You Register a Boat Without a Title in Massachusetts?

Yes, it is possible to register certain boats without a title, but it depends on the boat’s length, design and previous state of registration.

A Massachusetts title is generally required for any boat that is 14 feet or longer and is powered by a motor or designed to be powered by a motor. This includes sailboats, canoes and other vessels of that length if they use a motor, even temporarily.

A boat may be registered without presenting a title in the following situations:

  • The boat is less than 14 feet long and does not fall within the state’s mandatory titling requirement.
  • The boat was purchased from a private seller or dealer in a state that does not issue boat titles. In this situation, Massachusetts accepts the seller’s previous boat registration in place of a title.
  • The vessel falls within a specific statutory title exemption.

Even when a title is not required, the applicant must still establish ownership. The registration office may require the bill of sale, previous registration, Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin and other supporting documents.

If a title was previously issued but has been lost, a bill of sale should not be treated as an automatic substitute. The titled owner should normally request a duplicate title before transferring the boat. Buyers should contact the Massachusetts Boat and Recreation Vehicle Registration and Titling Bureau before purchasing a vessel with missing or incomplete ownership documents.

Which Boats Require MA Boat Registration?

MA boat registration is required for motorboats principally used on Massachusetts waters. A motorboat is a vessel propelled by machinery, even when the motor is not its primary source of propulsion. Therefore, boats with gasoline, diesel or electric motors generally need to be registered before being operated on Massachusetts waterways.

A boat carrying a valid registration from another state can generally be used in Massachusetts for up to 60 consecutive days. If it remains in the Commonwealth for longer than that period, Massachusetts registration and, where applicable, a Massachusetts title will be required.

Non-motorized vessels are generally outside the state’s motorboat-numbering requirement. However, adding even a temporary electric or gasoline motor can change the vessel’s registration and titling obligations.

How Much Does Boat Registration Cost in Massachusetts?

Boat lengthTwo-year registration fee
Under 16 feet$44
16 feet to under 26 feet$66
26 feet to under 40 feet$88
40 feet and longer$110

How Does Boat Trailer Registration in MA Work?

Boat trailer registration in MA is a separate process from registering the boat. The boat is registered through the Massachusetts Environmental Police, while the trailer is registered through the Massachusetts RMV.


To register a boat trailer, the owner will generally need:

  • A completed Registration and Title Application
  • Proof of ownership
  • The previous title, when the trailer must be titled
  • A previous registration and bill of sale when the trailer is exempt from titling
  • An insurance stamp and signature on the application, when required
  • Payment of the registration fee, applicable title fee and sales tax


Trailers with a gross vehicle weight rating of 3,000 pounds or less do not require a Massachusetts certificate of title, but they must still be properly registered before being used on public roads. Trailers with a gross vehicle weight rating above 3,000 pounds must be titled, and the title application must generally be submitted within 10 days of purchase.

The trailer’s registration fee is based on its registered weight. Because the boat and trailer are treated as separate property, completing MA boat registration does not automatically register the trailer.

Helpful links:

Although this guide gives a thorough approach to LSV and boat registration laws in your state, it is recommended that you perform the research on your own and reach out to your local municipality, DMV, and marine agency. Laws and fees change, and local jurisdictions may have additional requirements.