Crashes, insurance and registration in Massachusetts
Even a careful driver can be involved in a crash. Massachusetts law says exactly what you must do at the scene and afterward, and leaving without identifying yourself is a crime.
Every car on the road must also be insured, registered and inspected. Knowing these rules matters before you borrow a car for practice or the road test.
By the end of this topic you can
- You can list the steps to take after a crash with or without injuries.
- You can state when and where a crash report must be filed.
- You can name the minimum insurance limits in force since July 2025.
- You can explain the yearly inspection rule and what to carry when you drive.
What you need to know and understand
- You must stop after any crash, even a small one.
- If no one is hurt, the Driver Removal Law requires you to move vehicles out of travel lanes to a safe place.
- File a crash report with the RMV and local police within five days if anyone is hurt or killed, or damage is $1,000 or more.
- Minimum liability limits are $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $30,000 for property damage.
- Personal injury protection (PIP) of $8,000 is also compulsory.
- Every vehicle must pass a safety and emissions inspection every year.
- You must carry your license and registration; Massachusetts does not issue insurance cards.
At the scene
Leaving the scene of a crash that damages property can bring up to $200 in fines or up to two years in jail. Penalties rise sharply when someone is injured or killed.
- Stop. Never leave the scene.
- Check for injuries and call 911 for police and an ambulance if needed.
- If no one is hurt, move the vehicles out of the travel lanes.
- Swap names, addresses, license numbers, registration and insurance details with the other drivers.
- If you hit a parked car or property, find the owner or notify local police.
- If you injure a cat, dog or other animal, tell the local police and, if possible, the owner.
Reporting it
Within five days, send copies of the Motor Vehicle Crash Operator Report to the police department where the crash happened, the RMV and your insurance company. Telling your insurer alone is not enough. Failing to report can lead to a fine and suspension.
A crash where you are more than 50 percent at fault, with over $1,000 paid out, becomes a surchargeable event on your record and can raise your insurance.
Insurance, registration and inspection
Higher minimum limits took effect for policies written or renewed from July 1, 2025. Many drivers buy more than the minimum. If your road test car is registered out of state, you must show proof of insurance at Massachusetts minimum levels.
To register a car, you first need Massachusetts insurance, and your insurance agent helps complete the registration application. Once registered, the car must pass inspection each year, and the plate must stay clean and readable. Check the RMV for current registration fees and steps.
Common mistakes
- Leaving vehicles in the travel lane after a minor crash with no injuries.
- Only calling your insurer. The RMV and police also need a report within five days.
- Driving off after a light tap on a parked car without leaving your details.
- Practicing in a car with an expired inspection sticker. It can be refused at the road test.
Test yourself: Crashes, insurance and registration in Massachusetts
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Sources: Massachusetts Driver's Manual, revised April 2026, Chapters 1, 2, 3 and 5 (MassDOT Registry of Motor Vehicles); Massachusetts Division of Insurance: 2025 compulsory motor vehicle coverage limits. Independent guide, not affiliated with any licensing agency. Always check the latest official rules with the Massachusetts licensing agency.