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Moving to Massachusetts with a license from another state? The RMV says you need to convert it to a Massachusetts license when you become a resident, and your car must be registered as soon as you become a resident, with no grace period. If your license is active or expired less than a year, you take no written or road test. This guide covers the conversion steps, the $115 fee, documents, permit transfers and the extra steps for drivers under 18.
Key facts (Massachusetts RMV, as of November 2026)
- License: convert your out-of-state license when you become a Massachusetts resident.
- Vehicle: register as soon as you become a resident. The RMV says the law gives no grace period.
- Tests: none if your license is active or expired less than 1 year. Expired more than 1 year means written, road and eye tests.
- Fee: $115 Class D conversion, $130 for Class D and M together.
- Under 18: you must convert your out-of-state driver’s ed certificate or complete driver’s ed in Massachusetts.
- Appointment required at an RMV Service Center. You can’t complete the transfer online.
Do you need a test to transfer your license to Massachusetts?
| Your out-of-state license | Written test | Road test | Eye test |
|---|---|---|---|
| Active, or expired less than 1 year | No | No | Not listed by the RMV |
| Expired more than 1 year | Yes | Yes | Yes |
If you need to test, see the Massachusetts learner’s permit test and road test and sponsor rules.
How to convert your license, step by step
- Start the application online. The RMV’s online questionnaire produces a completed application and a list of the documents you need. It does not finish the transfer.
- Make a reservation at an RMV Service Center. The RMV says this transaction needs an appointment.
- Bring your documents and fee (see below). Most service centers take cash, check, money order and cards, but payment methods vary, so check your location.
- Hand in your out-of-state license. The RMV uses the State-to-State verification service to check whether you hold a license elsewhere and tells your old state to invalidate it.
- Wait for the card. The RMV mails your Massachusetts license to your mailing address in 10 to 14 days.
Documents and fees
What to bring
- Your out-of-state license. If you don’t have it, bring an acceptable photo ID and a certified driving record not more than 30 days old.
- A driving record not more than 30 days old if your license is from Canada, Mexico or a US territory, including Puerto Rico.
- For a REAL ID: identity, Social Security status and Massachusetts residency documents. You must show them even if your old license was already a REAL ID.
- A certified English translation of any driving record not printed in English. The RMV lists who may certify it, such as a language service provider or the American Translators Association.
Fees (as of November 2026)
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Class D license conversion | $115 |
| Class M license conversion | $115 |
| Class D and M conversion | $130 |
| Out-of-state learner’s permit transfer | $30 |
| Converting an out-of-state driver’s ed certificate | $15 |
If your lawful presence in the US is time-limited, the RMV may issue a shorter REAL ID and prorate the fee at $10 per year. For background, see REAL ID and your first US license.
Transferring a learner’s permit
The RMV converts an out-of-state learner’s permit to a Massachusetts permit only if all of these apply:
- It was issued by another state, DC, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico or a US territory. Permits from other countries are not converted.
- It was issued less than 2 years ago.
- You are a Massachusetts resident, at least 16, and meet the medical standards.
- You have no outstanding obligations to any state, and you bring a certified driving record from that state not more than 30 days old.
After converting, you still take and pass a Massachusetts road test to get a license.
Moving to Massachusetts under 18
Teens face the most paperwork. The RMV requires drivers under 18 to convert their out-of-state driver’s ed certificate or complete driver’s ed in Massachusetts.
- What counts: the out-of-state course must meet or exceed the Massachusetts minimum of 30 hours of live classroom training, 12 hours behind the wheel, 6 hours of in-car observation and a 2-hour parent or guardian class.
- How to apply: mail the Application to Convert Out-of-State Driver Education Certificate, your certificate and a $15 check or money order payable to MassDOT to the RMV Driver’s Education Department.
- Evidence: documentation on official letterhead from the out-of-state agency, or, for a private school course, a letterhead certificate listing the course requirements and the instructor’s name and contact details.
- If it falls short: the RMV returns the fee with a checklist of what you still need to complete at a licensed Massachusetts driving school.
Once your certificate is converted and you meet the other junior operator requirements, you can book the license conversion or a road test. The junior operator rules (including the 12:30 a.m. to 5 a.m. night limit and passenger limits) then apply until you turn 18. See Massachusetts junior operator license rules and driver education and the 40-hour practice requirement.
Registering your car in Massachusetts
There is no grace period: the RMV says you must register as soon as you become a resident. The order of steps matters.
- Fill out the sales and use tax exemption affidavit for a vehicle bought outside Massachusetts (Form MVU-29).
- Get an active Massachusetts insurance policy. The insurance agent completes, stamps and signs your Application for Registration and Title.
- Bring the application, your out-of-state title (or registration if the car was too old to be titled) and the MVU-29 to an RMV Service Center. Walk-ins are accepted, but appointments get priority.
- Leave with a registration certificate, plates and a decal. The title arrives by mail in about 6 to 8 weeks.
- Get a Massachusetts inspection sticker within 7 days of the registration date.
Car on a loan? Bring your out-of-state registration plus a copy of the title showing the lien, the loan agreement or a recent owner printout. Cars from New York, Kentucky, Minnesota, Maryland, Missouri and Montana need the physical title, because those states give it to the owner even when there is a lien. Insurance minimums are covered in minimum car insurance by state.
Common questions
How long do I have to get a Massachusetts license after moving?
The RMV gives no number of days. It says to convert your license when you become a resident.
Do I have to take a test to transfer my license to Massachusetts?
No, if your license is active or expired for less than 1 year. If it expired more than 1 year ago, you take the written, road and eye tests.
How much does it cost to transfer a license to Massachusetts?
$115 for a Class D conversion as of November 2026.
How fast must I register my car?
As soon as you become a resident. Then get an inspection sticker within 7 days of registering.
Can I transfer my license online?
No. You can start the application online but must finish at an RMV Service Center with an appointment.
I’m 17 and have a license from New Hampshire. What do I need?
Convert your driver’s ed certificate (or complete Massachusetts driver’s ed) and meet the junior operator requirements before converting the license.
Moving between other states? See moving to a new state: transferring your license, or the full Massachusetts license guide.
Sources
- Massachusetts RMV, “Transfer your REAL or standard out-of-state driver’s or motorcycle license to Massachusetts” (mass.gov)
- Massachusetts RMV, “Transfer your REAL or standard out-of-state learner’s permit to Massachusetts” (mass.gov)
- Massachusetts RMV, “Transfer your registration and title from out of state” (mass.gov)
- Massachusetts RMV, “Application to Convert Out-of-State Driver Education Certificate” (mass.gov)
- Massachusetts RMV, “Junior Operator License (JOL) requirements” (mass.gov)