This is the kind of update I like to read. Thanks for posting OP.

This case is extreme but, to be perfectly honest, in 16 years as a pediatric nurse I have seen DCF do too much twice (both cases involved children with undiagnosed osteogenesis imperfecta and unexplained fractures) and do too little too many times to count.

Someone in this case had to have filed a 51A against the parents otherwise DCF wouldn't have even known about it. It was a report of suspected abuse and was probably screened in as an emergency response, which led to the middle of the night response. If DCF hadn't removed these children and it actually was an abuse case, the outcome could have been deadly.

What’s funny is that I live in Denver and there’s so many out of state tags, cars without tags, and cars with expired tags here. They literally don’t enforce it.

Really great question. So, the RMV supervisor I've dealt with, as well as a lawyer I emailed with, both indicated that simply operating a vehicle 30+ days in a year could be enough to trigger the registration requirement, regardless of having liability insurance. Which, I agree, makes zero sense. So maybe it's still a communications error? But I very clearly don't fall under any of the other provisions, didn't do any Uber or lending my car or anything.

The 30 day rule is the dumbest thing that I learned during this entire story. You shouldn’t have to register a car here unless you live here for a majority of the year. It should be a 183 day rule, not a 30 day rule. For fucks sake.

Sometime visit the Larz Anderson Auto Museum in Brookline and take a ride On Fiedler Engine #1. That was the fire truck he donated to them. They don't run it all the time but on select occasions.

Jesus Christ man I am so sorry, as someone who’s dealt with my fair shair of RMV problems, I feel for you.

Ifyky

That would be like, half the population of CT and zero RI-ers

How else is Massachusetts gonna collect them sweet registration fee/excise tax/inspection fees. Can't have randos driving around for free! /s

I'm going off what an RMV supervisor told me, and I believe he was talking about this paragraph from chapter 90 section 3:

"A motor vehicle or trailer owned by a non-resident who has complied with the laws relative to motor vehicles and trailers, and the registration and operation thereof, of the state or country of registration, may be operated on the ways of this commonwealth without registration under this chapter, to the extent, as to length of time of operation and otherwise, that, as finally determined by the registrar, the state or country of registration grants substantially similar privileges in the case of motor vehicles and trailers duly registered under the laws and owned by residents of this commonwealth; provided, that no motor vehicle or trailer shall be so operated on more than thirty days in the aggregate in any one year."

> Ben said he did get a call from a supervisor in the enforcement services unit who told him under Chapter 90, Section 3 of the Mass Code, anyone who operates a motor vehicle for thirty days in a calendar year is required to register the vehicle.

Maybe I need to work on my legalese.

> Section 3. Subject to the provisions of section three A and except as otherwise provided in this section and in section ten, a motor vehicle or trailer owned by a non-resident who has complied with the laws relative to motor vehicles and trailers, and the registration and operation thereof, of the state or country of registration, may be operated on the ways of this commonwealth without registration under this chapter, to the extent, as to length of time of operation and otherwise, that, as finally determined by the registrar, the state or country of registration grants substantially similar privileges in the case of motor vehicles and trailers duly registered under the laws and owned by residents of this commonwealth; provided, that no motor vehicle or trailer shall be so operated on more than thirty days in the aggregate in any one year or, in any case where the owner thereof acquires a regular place of abode or business or employment within the commonwealth, beyond a period of thirty days after the acquisition thereof, except during such time as the owner thereof maintains in full force a policy of liability insurance providing indemnity for or protection to him, and to any person responsible for the operation of such motor vehicle or trailer with his express or implied consent, against loss by reason of the liability to pay damages to others for bodily injuries, including death at any time resulting therefrom, caused by such motor vehicle or trailer, at least to the amount or limits required in a motor vehicle liability policy as defined in section thirty-four A.

(emphasis mine)

I'm reading that law as you need to register after 30 days if you don't have liability insurance. There's some exceptions listed later: you have to register if you're using it for a business and you have to register if a MA driver is going to be using it. There's also a very long paragraph covering students. The guide book also lists a registration requirement if the vehicle registration is from a state that isn't the owner's home state, but that's not listed in this subsection.

OP had stated that they had appropriate insurance, so I had assumed that they had accidentally admitted to one of those other subcategories (letting their friend drive the car, driving for Uber, etc.). Either there's a communication failure (RMV not explaining the exact violation correctly; OP not relaying information completely) or the RMV is asserting that the "except" clause wasn't applicable here.

I just cannot fathom someone being enough of a busybody to report you to the RMV.

Loads of cars in my building’s garage have out of state plates, it’s never occurred to me to call the RMV. I’m baffled and slightly fascinated about the mindset of the person who reported you.

How crazy would it be if every out-of-state plate got called into the RMV. I’ll bet the RMV would knock this shit off if they had to deal with it… en Masse

[deleted]

$50 scratch ticket good. Bonus bet bad. Okay got it. Ty.

There digging into the craziness because that tip line is going to get overloaded. People don't know about that 30 day rule and are going to start reporting the snowbirds.

Glad things are starting to work out. This is especially crazy because I know a lot of people that have driven in MA with out of state license plates for years... while living here and never going back to the state on their plate

It is possible to make in the thousands of guaranteed money if you have the bankroll ($k in funds) and discipline to do so (and havent already wagered on the sportsbooks). This article overstates the amounts - I think $4-ish k is more realistic than $8k, but this does a great job walking through the process and is helpful in finding the right odds (for $9 the first month): https://about.darkhorseodds.com/blog-posts/ma-launch Be careful

Suace? Cuz I looked and couldnt find anything. Other than the resident 30 day thing.

There's actually two separate parts of the law! One is about after you become a resident, but another part is about non-residents who operate a vehicle in MA for any 30 days in a calendar year.

The stupid part is the law clearly states 30 days after you become a resident.

Popped up on my FB feed too. Pretty cool!

'murica

i am so committed to this story and its ending. i am just so sorry this happened. what a broken system. i don’t know that i would’ve had your patience. i would’ve lost my fucking marbles….