Low Number Licence plate Lottery (live, plates, events)

[BostonMike7]

Originally Posted by Lampert

Had somebody asked me before reading this I would have said this is not legal
How does it work? Do they get invalidated somehow?

There are no laws against possession of license plates that are no longer being used (In MA at least). They are not required to be turned in when you cancel your registration. You can keep them, hang them on the wall, scrap them, or sell them on ebay (there are rules on what can or cannot be sold)

Actual attachment of old plates is VERY illegal however.


I should emphasize that most of the plates are from the early 1900's. Mostly Porcelain plates up to WW2. They are very obviously obsolete being physically larger and a completely out-of-date design. Then can be used as a Year-of-manufacture plate, but you would need to have a vehicle of that same year and I believe 2 plates.

Here's a little slide-show of a plate collection. Not mine.
Massachusetts License Plates

I do have some newer stuff, but not much. I have this "blank" of the current MA red plate with a 1989 hologram on it.

[Lampert]

Got it, thanks!

[P Larsen]

And then there are green/white singleton plates, last made in 1993. I think less than 10% of registered vehicles are marked with such, but they will have to pry those plates out of our cold dead hands.

[robr2]

Originally Posted by P Larsen

And then there are green/white singleton plates, last made in 1993. I think less than 10% of registered vehicles are marked with such, but they will have to pry those plates out of our cold dead hands.

They'll go away as soon as the RMV decides to tell the inspection stations to start checking them properly. The vast majority of those plates are not in compliance with visual regulations.

[wolfgang239]

Originally Posted by robr2

They'll go away as soon as the RMV decides to tell the inspection stations to start checking them properly. The vast majority of those plates are not in compliance with visual regulations.

There is a guy who refinishes them back to perfect condition for those who really want to hang on to them. Technically would be "defacing" which is illegal but nobody would know.

NY made their iconic statue of liberty plate disappear so MA probably could too. Probably too many connected folks who would push back though.

I won a low number plate and took it a few years back. Only tried once too so it can't be too hard.

[BostonMike7]

Originally Posted by wolfgang239

I won a low number plate and took it a few years back. Only tried once too so it can't be too hard.

Ive entered 10-12 times, and submitted my wife 4 times. No wins yet here.

Originally Posted by wolfgang239

There is a guy who refinishes them back to perfect condition for those who really want to hang on to them. Technically would be "defacing" which is illegal but nobody would know.

I've seen some of the refinished plates. They look pretty good. Some of them I've seen were not as reflective as they should have been, so not sure if they would pass muster. Like with anything these days with regards to annual vehicle inspections, it all depends on what sort of mood the inspector is. Most don't give a crap at all

[Brave Stranger]

Back in the day my uncle was connected with the state & had a 3-number plate. Those plates "theoretically" alerted law-enforcment to not stop or ticket those cars under the asumption that the driver was connected. Not a far-fetched theory for Massachusetts government.

[BostonMike7]

So, Aug 11th and still no info on the lottery. The small line on the Mass RMV site saying it will open mid/late July has been removed, and by law, winners need to be announced by Sept 15th by law.

Yes, I know it's first world problems.


Google searched, but nothing came up. Anyone know anything?

[masssachoicetts]

Cant you customize your own license plate digits?

My parents just got their license plates and !REDSOX! was available lol.

[BostonMike7]

Originally Posted by masssachoicetts

Cant you customize your own license plate digits?

My parents just got their license plates and !REDSOX! was available lol.

Yes, you can get a vanity plate. I already have one of those.