State guide
Massachusetts
Massachusetts uses a police-signed VIN visual inspection for undocumented bonded vehicles and a separate State Police salvage inspection process for salvage and rebuilt cases. The RMV also has a Massachusetts-assigned VIN program for kit, replica, street rod, custom, glider kit, and certain homemade trailer cases, with VINs assigned and affixed at salvage inspection sites.
Checked against official sources on October 4, 2026. Rules and links change; confirm with the office listed before you act.
- When a VIN verification is required
- Massachusetts requires VIN-related inspection or verification for undocumented bonded vehicles, for out-of-state salvage vehicles and repaired salvage vehicles before registration, and for vehicles needing a Massachusetts-assigned VIN such as replica, specially-constructed, street rod, custom, glider kit, kit car, and certain homemade trailers.
- Who can do it
- For undocumented bonded vehicles, a state police barracks or local police station may perform the visual VIN inspection; salvage inspections and Massachusetts-assigned VIN assignment/affixing are done by the Massachusetts State Police.
- Official form
- Proof of Visual Inspection; Application for Inspection of a Salvaged Motor Vehicle
- Fee
- $50.00 salvage inspection; $50.00 applying for a Mass Assigned VIN; fee for Proof of Visual Inspection not published on the RMV form/page found.
- Official instructions
- Official page →
Official resources in Massachusetts
RMV page explaining when a repaired salvage vehicle must be inspected, what to bring, the fee, and the published inspection sites.
RMV page describing which vehicles may need a state-assigned VIN and that State Police assign and affix it at salvage inspection sites.
RMV page describing undocumented bonded vehicles and requiring a completed visual inspection of VIN.
Official RMV form for a VIN visual examination by state or local police.
Official RMV fee schedule listing salvage inspection and Massachusetts-assigned VIN fees.
Key facts for Massachusetts
- Undocumented bonded vehicles require a completed Visual Inspection of VIN.
- The VIN visual inspection form says the vehicle must be submitted at any state police barracks or local police station.
- Salvage inspections are done by the Massachusetts State Police.
- Massachusetts publishes a $50.00 salvage inspection fee.
- Massachusetts publishes a $50.00 fee for applying for a Mass Assigned VIN.
- Massachusetts-assigned VINs are assigned and affixed by the State Police at any Massachusetts salvage inspection site by appointment only.
Official VIN inspection locations in Massachusetts
| Location | city | phone | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgewater Salvage Inspection Site | Bridgewater | Not published* | Massachusetts State Police salvage inspection site; appointment required. |
| Haverhill Salvage Inspection Site | Haverhill | Not published* | Massachusetts State Police salvage inspection site; appointment required. |
| Northboro Salvage Inspection Site | Northboro | Not published* | Massachusetts State Police salvage inspection site; appointment required. |
| Revere Salvage Inspection Site | Revere | Not published* | Published as temporarily closed; page says Thursday inspections are held at Haverhill. |
| Westfield Salvage Inspection Site | Westfield | Not published* | Massachusetts State Police salvage inspection site; appointment required. |
| State Police barracks or local police station | Not published* | Not published* | The Proof of Visual Inspection form says VIN visual examination may be done at any state police barracks or local police station. |
* Not published: the official page doesn't list it. Call the office to confirm before you rely on it.
What to do next
- If your vehicle is undocumented, get the RMV Proof of Visual Inspection form signed at a state police barracks or local police station before going to the RMV.
- For a rebuilt salvage vehicle, first obtain the salvage title, complete the salvage inspection application, pay the $50.00 fee, then schedule with the State Police.
- If you need a Massachusetts-assigned VIN for a kit, replica, custom, or certain homemade trailer, use the RMV assigned VIN page and plan for a State Police appointment at a salvage site.
Not seeing your location or county?
Not every location publishes its rules online. Try these, in order:
- General Start with the statewide information above.
- Closest verified Nearest places where we have verified local data outside this state (distance from Massachusetts's population center, for comparison only):
- DMV - Nashua, New Hampshire · about 33 miles
- Division of Motor Vehicles, Rhode Island · about 35 miles
- Division of Motor Vehicles Enforcement Office, Rhode Island · about 35 miles
- Call to confirm Ask the official office.Salvage inspections
Website →Phone not shown: use the contact page on the official website above.Your city or county office: Local governments →Not sure who handles it locally? USAGov's free help line, 1-844-872-4681, or the Massachusetts page on USA.gov can point you to the right office. - Know the current info? Tell us with a link to the official page.