Can a renewed car registration be used before the effective date? (2009, inspection)

[sunny05]

I recently lost my car registration. Since I'm due to renew it in July, I just renewed it early instead of getting a replacement and then having to renew in three months anyway. However, I just realized that there is an effective date on the registration for August 1, 2009. Can I use this registration between now and August?

Everything on the new registration is the same as the old one. The car, owner, address, and vehicle info are all the same as they had been before. I need to get my car inspected next month and am afraid they will not accept this since it says August as the effective date. I also want to make sure this registration would be accepted if I happen to get pulled over. Thanks so much for your help.

[holden125]

I think RMV was probably thinking of what you did as renewing effective the expiration of your old registration. Your current (through July 2009) registration is still valid, you just lost it.

I'm not sure if inspection will give you a problem. If they raise it you can explain and see what they say. If they run it through the RMV computer you're registered.

What you can do is get a duplicate registration to replace the lost card. You can do it online, in person, by phone, or by mail. They charge $15, though (might be $25 now).

http://www.mass.gov/rmv/regs/reg8.htm

https://secure.rmv.state.ma.us/ITS/T...n/DupForm.aspx