Old green license plates are legal

By Chief Steven J. Wojnar
Dudley Police Department

Several people have approached me recently with questions regarding the single green numbered plates for vehicles in Massachusetts.  I was asked if they are still “allowed” to be used and if people are required to exchange these for newer plates.  I was asked to provide some information regarding the status of these plates.

For background purposes, white number plates with green characters were issued by the Massachusetts Registry as single plates for a period of time many years ago.  Currently, new vehicle registrations call for vehicles to be issued two white plates with red characters.  Some people had been told they need to replace or exchange these older style plates for the new type in order to be legal to drive on the road.   When I checked with the Registry about this matter, I was told the green and white plates DO NOT need to be exchanged simply for the purpose of replacing them with new ones. Vehicles with the green and white single plate are allowed to be used at this time and until further notice.  The plan is to phase these single license plates out over time.  The Registry has determined a method to replace these older plates with the new red & white Massachusetts plates.  When green and white plates are lost, stolen, damaged, cancelled, suspended, revoked, illegible, or turned in for other reasons, they will simply not re-issue the green and white plate.   Should any of these situations occur, there is a procedure in place where the old plate can be replaced with two new red and white plates at no charge.

If you are one of the few who still have these single green plates and wish to retain them, be sure they are in good condition.  According to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 90 Section 6, “Number plates shall be kept clean with the numbers legible and shall not be obscured in any manner…, and during the period when the vehicle or trailer is required to display lights the rear register number shall be illuminated so as to be plainly visible at a distance of sixty feet.” At the time of your annual vehicle inspection, if your number plate meets the criteria of being in satisfactory condition, you should be allowed to use them until further notice without any problems or restrictions.

Thanks again for your questions and comments.  Please send them to me at the Dudley Police Department 71 West Main St. Dudley, Ma. 01571 or email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  Opinions expressed in this weekly column are those of Chief Wojnar only and unless clearly noted, do not reflect the ideas or opinions of any other organization or citizen.