License Plates and Registrations

[badluck]

SO you want a lawyer's opinion---

Technically, you are a resident of Massachusetts albeit a temporary one (exceptions apply to students, military, govt employees among others but you made no reference to any of those exceptions therefore-you are a resident of MA.) You have 30 days to register your vehicle in MA as a resident. You MUST get a MA driver's license upon moving to this state(there is no 30 day grace period) or you could be cited for unlicensed operation. Now- you may have been able to get around the failure to display a number plate (license plate) by illustrating the scenario with CA RMV that you described above but a computer check WILL reveal that your vehicle has or has not been registered in CA or anywhere else. The time of day and time difference has nothing to do with it. Based on the scenario you described-the cop ran the plate and it came back with no registration staus in MA because you acknowledged you have moved here for work (technically taking residence) and did not register your car here. You were within the 30 day grace period so, its not based on that fact. The fact is that CA RMV may not have your vehicle registered. OR-maybe you have been here longer than two weeks and over the 30 days ( I dont know and I am certainly not accusing you) A cop will run the VIN if there is no plate displayed and that wil reveal the registration status as well...your paperwork attesting to the registered status may have expired(?) your insurance(?) I dont know-but there could be a reason that the cop towed the car that you simply were not aware of. Its all driven by insurance companies and believe it or not it is the same law in California as it is here.
NOW-the situation you described above may have some more ins and outs...but based on what you described the cop was apparently acting on information that led him/her to believe that the car was unregistered. Tell the story in court and it will most likely be dismissed with court costs.
JMO
I KNOW-I didnt lambast the cops therefore I will be attacked for the post.

[azrael1234]

So just as an update.

The dealer in CA contacted the MA state police and acted as my advocate. Unfortunately their response was "talk to the judge" and just pissed off my dealer.

I did have all the paperwork to prove my car's registration and insurance and have only been here for 2 weeks and was living out of a hotel..(3 weeks now). l'll go talk to the judge and hopefully it'll be cleared from my record. The car isn't impounded (thank goodness)...just sitting at my apartment complex.

Anywho...at least my company is paying for my rental car until my plates come. That's something at least.

Thanks for all the info everyone. If you have any other suggestions, let me know.

[scirocco22]

badluck's post does make sense whether or not he/she is a lawyer ...writes like a lawyer, though.

Since you are working in MA, it makes sense that you are in fact a resident and thus have to get a MA driver's license and subsequently have to register your car in MA too.

Sounds like a hassle for only a seven month stay but sounds like it may be the law nonetheless.

Good luck however you decide to do things!

--'rocco