Green license plate scam sparks run at RMV

I required my annual car inspection last month. The station I pulled into,on my way to work, told me I had to turn in my green plate before he would inspect my car! He said he would fail me immediately, give me a rejection sticker until I replaced the plate and then would reinspect me when I got the "new" red plates. Thank goodness I am a Globe subscriber and had read an article just a few weeks prior about green plates and confoming to the Registry requirements (as pointed out in this article). I left that station, went to my regular guy ain my neighborhood and drove away happily, green plate secured!

Typical Yankee Enginuity

I hope to keep my green plate as long as I can... It is nice not to have a front plate. Allows me to put on a vanity plate if I desire.

Probably someone maybe even a policeman whose tired of motorists riding around with the one single back plate. Only a rear plate was issued back in the 80's. Also many are so worn out they can't be read from 3 feet away forget about 60 feet. Many people with sports cars cherish them because you don't need the ugly front plate that mares the lines of the front end.

Your headline is misleading ... this is not a scam unless it is proven that the DMV had something to do with this in the hopes of getting extra revenue. This is a hoax, not a scam.

Still have my "greenie" and wouldn't trade it in for any of the newer plates.

Unfortunately, I was not so lucy as Ms. Saucier - Inspection station would not even look at my car because of the green plates. So, knowing nothing about green/red/whatever plate, went to RMB and got new plates. I LOVED MY OLD PLATES!

It's fascinating the fixation Massachusetts folks have with license plates. When I lived in Maryland, I had a neighbor who had a 4 digit plate. He told me that it was the same number his parents had in Massachusetts, and when he applied for the number in Maryland, they just gave it to him!

I wish the registry would let people with green plates order a new green plate. It would be worth a fee to escape having to put a new red plate on the front! Apparently the RMV and police feel that a plate on both ends of the car makes it easier to track the bad guys but I also remember a Globe photo essay a few years ago that showed that a surprising number of people "share" a single set of red plates on two cars, often parked on the same block! There's no sharing with only a single plate!

well i had the same problem also and had to order plates on line. my plates are readable and etc. I heard the same thing until i called the registry and found out i can make a complaint about a couple of them that would reject me also, my name is pamela boucher from lynn, mass

I have the new red plates but don't run a front plate. I only put it on once a year for inspections.

Never been pulled over for it after 12 years. Even the few speeding tickets I've gotten over the years, the cops never noticed or said anything.

The funny thing is it wasn't my idea. When I took delivery of the car, the dealership didn't put the front bracket on because they thought it looked a lot better without. They told me to tell the police the mounting bracket is on order at the dealership because it only has holes for european plates -- you need an adapter for US plates (it's a germn car). I keep the front plate in my trunk.

People in MA need to realize 20+ other states do not issue front plates to save money and resources. (FL, PA, MI, GA, IN...etc) The MA RMV should immediately stop issuing front plates too to save money and to relieve the struggling auto dealers of putting on the stupid bracket for the front plate which damages the car and probably wastes fuel.

We actually had an RMV employee tell us almost 2 years ago that we would very soon have to get rid of our green plate. And she sort of barked at us about it, as if we were very bad people for having one and not knowing that we should do something about it... We were there in person just to renew a registration, so she didn't even see the plate (which is perfectly legible even from 60 feet), but she just barked at us that we better know that we're going to have to get new ones. Ya, whatever, honey, when is someone going to tell me that? Oh, I see, it's not even true! Of course you have to have a legible plate, that'a given. Probably that employee who started circulating this bogus flyer :)

A state trooper pulled me over on Rte. 44 in Carver for a green plate, (I was NOT speeding). Before he let me go, he made me promise to get a red plate to replace my perfectly serviceable green one. (Needless to say, I did not do so.) Swell, another 100k/year "public servant" with time on his hands.

I was actually told by a registry worker at the Southbridge Registry in November that if I hadn't turned my plates in I would have failed inspection the next time around! Maybe somebody should let the registry workers themselves know that this is a scam as I passed the info along to others thinking it was true!

When we turned in our plates last month, why didn't the Registry in Watertown tell us this was a scam. They haven't changed.

Over the past 5 years, each time I renew my registration & my green plate, the person at the registry tells me green is no longer valid & I need to turn it in. Lucky for me, my "green plated" car is only driven in nice weather, I normally don't have it during re-registration, thus "he" has allowed me to use it one more time. I can only assume the scammer maybe the "anti-green registry employee"! While my green plate remains vivid from any distance, nobody can read my red plates with "G" on them - they all faded immediately after distribution ... AND you can't get them replaced without paying a fee!

I am so glad to see this - I'm 36m and still have the same plate that I was issued 20 years ago - and it's till as green as it was the day I got it!

Most states routinely issue a new series of plates every few years. This way, old number series are able to be reused, and there's no problem with plates that can't be read from a distance. We are into absurd letter-number combinations because so many combinations have been used up.

Google:
Massachusetts needs new license plates
for more information about this topic.

The green plates are a sign to make sure you pass the old fogy, because they will certainly be going 20 miles per hour UNDER the speed limit.

I was told by Norwood Tire that the white & green plates would need to be replaced too effective New Year's Day.

Can anyone also answer for me if it's tru that the plate frames (i.e. dealer frames, sports team frames) are now illegal to have because both "Massachusetts" and "The Spirit of America" need to be visible now or is it a hearsay by Norwood Tire?

In 1992, my daughter who has a low number plate, and was trying to transfer it to a new car, was told by a registry employee that " reserved" green plates were no longer valid. Red plates had been issued to her in 89 but she preferred the green ones. Incidentally, two plates were issued to those holding low numbers when these green tags started in 1977. Fortunately, she had the red plates in a drawer at home and was only inconvenienced by having to make a return trip to the RMV. It seems redicoulous there is a different standard for ordinary plates than the one which was applied to low numbers and trucks.

The rear frames from the dealer or Patriots, Red Sox etc ARE illegal and are a simple reason to pull you over and bust your chops. No front plate is ALSO illegal no matter how old and what plate you have.

Massachusetts changed from one plate to two years ago because the manufacturer of the plates was a connected guy.

That's Massachusetts for you.

The plate manufacturer are connected guys - in Cedar Junction.

The Industries Program at MCI-Cedar Junction is involved in the manufacture of motor vehicle license plates. Inmates' wages usually begin at $.50 per hour. This program enables inmates to develop employable work skills, which is the ultimate goal.

So... if the dealer plate frames are illegal, then why do all new cars come with... dealer plate frames? That makes no sense.

To the stubborn fools running around with ancient, corroded, unreadable plates: will you just let it go and get some new ones? Sheesh.

Those with green plates might be a little older, might not have been rear-ended, and have probably lived in the area for some time. Don't know if that's true or significant, but that's what I think when I see other greenies (like me).

Scott - You are completely wrong. Didn't you even read the article? I think Rachel Kapreilian knows more about it than you do.

I personally resent that green plates are concidered old foggies - I am in my early 40's and the green plate that I just turned in were my husbands that he got in the early 80's - before the trend for sports team etc plates. Still perfectly legible when I handed it in ONLY becasue we retired the old van they were on and did not need them for our other cars.
I was pulled over for having only one plate on a car I had transfered from N. Carolina - although I was pushing the linit by a few miles......
My real problem with this is that the DMV itself is perpetuating this rumor as I posted earlier!

I work at a dealership. If the plate frame covers the inscription at the bottom of the plate, the plate frame is illegal. Our new ones have solved the problem we had with the previous ones.

As for green plates, our inspection department is on board with the readability
criteria which includes the plate's ability to reflect light. My thought...get spray glue and very fine clear embossing powder at Michael's or A.C. Moore. You might get a few more years out of it.

ART

I was forced by my insurance rep to turn in my green plates when I changed insurance companies in 2003 and was not happy about it, especially when I couldn't get the same numbers/letters on the new one. So if anybody's riding around out there with '349 VGX' - those are MY numbers, dagnabbit...

First off, I agree with a previous poster. This is not a "scam" it is a hoax.

Secondly, I turned in my single green plate about 2 months ago because it was faded and was given a SINGLE red plate to replace it. If using only 1 plate is illegal, then some one should inform the registry empoyees.

Seriously people, take your faded green plates to the registry and get a new one. It took me five minutes and it was FREE.

Worry about the important things in life

I still have my green plate. I was disappointed when I bought my new car and there was a front plate bracket on the car after I specifically told them not to put one on. The real problem here is that Massachusetts still has a system with only 6 digits, even Maine and little NH have 7. I think that is the reason why they are having all these specialty plates, so they can keep using the 6 letter/number system. The time has come to add another character.

And to the clown who thinks only old foggies have green plates, just try to pass me! Ha!

I love the old school Greenies. I went to get inspected this year, and my local gas station told me they would fail it if I pulled into the bay due to the condition of it. So what did I do, went to another station to get it passed. I am going to ride this out for as long as I can. Why be like everyone else with the hidious red and white or the stupid sports plates. Why pump more money into the sports teams or the RMV? Keep the greenies going!

Tom -
It's FREE, it's FREE, it's FREE

The registry employees in the article drivers are misinformed, but it sounds like the info comes from the registry employees, cops and state inspection stations. How are people supposed to know what to do when all signs say "No green plates"?

My plates aren't green so I won't suffer the indignation the same struggle as the green plate minorities. Fight back, stage a march...don't let the man take your rights just because you're a different color!

I called the RMV in Boston last month to find out about turning in my old green plate for new red ones. The woman on the phone told me I had to go to my insurance company, get some form filled out and stamped and then take it to the Registry with my old green plate and get the new red ones, and that there would be no charge. Now why would a Registry employee tell me this if it wasn't necessary? I had my old green plate for over 17 years! Scam, hoax, call it whatever you want. I call it screwed up!

Long live the greenies!

Donald D. "People in MA need to realize 20+ other states do not issue front plates to save money and resources. (FL, PA, MI, GA, IN...etc) The MA RMV should immediately stop issuing front plates too to save money and to relieve the struggling auto dealers of putting on the stupid bracket for the front plate which damages the car and probably wastes fuel."

How did you read my mind?!? Those are reasons why I hate the front plate too. And it doesn't just damage your car for having that bracket mounted, but little taps from behind (by people who can't park) now damage paint. 5 mph bumpers don't work when you touch metal!

This smells like the Mass. State Police and the union at work again! Another scam!

The registry employees in the article make it sound as though drivers are misinformed, but it sounds like the info comes from the registry employees, cops and state inspection stations. How are people supposed to know what to do when all signs say "No green plates"?

My plates aren't green so I won't suffer the indignation the same struggle as the green plate minorities. Fight back, stage a march...don't let the man take your rights just because you're a different color!

I heard the cops like the front plates because they're flat, reflective targets for radar guns. Maybe not true? I dunno.

Seems like the brainchildren at the Globe can't distinguish between the word 'scam' and the word 'hoax'. Though I can't say much surprises me from this paper anymore.

forget the plates for a minute... have you seen the horrid spelling on these posts? seriously, if you're unsure, look it up! "redicoulous" from comment 22...are you for real?

ps I reluctantly bolted on an unsightly plate & frame to the front of my once-clean sports car front-end, after being pulled over ONLY for not having a front plate. $35 ticket, which doesn't sound bad until you realize EVERYTHING in Massachusetts is a surchargeable offense, except for when ticketed for not wearing a seatbelt. Can't get any more backwards than that. Thanks Mass.

The registry seems to be more than happy with this scam. I've lost two green plates in the last year. Both because of a registry order. I want the single green plate back!

Anybody know of a paint you can use to brighten up the plate, mine is getting faded and I don't want to give it up. I've had it for 30+ years. Someone mentioned to me one time that they had painted theirs but I don't know what they used.

Just wanna clear a couple things. All new cars come with front plate brackets there is no additional, cost to the dealer. Plate frames are only illegal if they cover up "spirit of america" ,massachusetts,or of course the sticker.
Faded plates only get you turned away an inspection station cannot reject you for them.Everyone should be getting papers when they get there car in inspected if a station tells you something you believe untrue call the customer hotline.The fact is alot of staions don't know the laws or misinterpret them.

My understanding is the only way license plate laws can change is via the MA legislature not the RMV. Contact your rep or senator if you want changes.

BTW, we've all seen the out-of-state Easy Pass transponders covering up word Massachusetts on front license plates. This is perfectly legal per the installation instructions.

I agree with #45. Misspelling ridiculous is laughable; I apologize for my carelessness,however, the point remains valid. When truck plates became red beginning in 1986, all previous green ones were eliminated. When low number and vanity plates became red later, the green ones became invalid. Had that same policy been followed with the regular 6 digit plates we wouldn't be talking about this. The color of all plates should be uniform as is the case nearly everywhare else.

"In 1992, my daughter who has a low number plate, and was trying to transfer it to a new car, was told by a registry employee that " reserved" green plates were no longer valid."

True, although I have seen a number of green low number plates still out on the road. The police don't seem to know or care.
In my opinion, they want the green plates gone so the numbers will be available to be re-issued. That would free up a TON of numbers. (100-AAA to 999-VZZ)

I live in GROTON and my plate is ROTTEN. My car has one of the most illegible GREEN MA license plates and it will stay there until the state pries it from my hands. There are plenty of us invisible greenies on the road, cops don't seem to care. I like that traffic cameras can't read my plate! And they sure can't see my nonexistent front plate. Cheers!

I suppose this is old news now, but I only was made aware of the article today. I only moved to Massachusetts 8 years ago, and was shocked at the number of illegible green and white plates on cars. I couldn't understand why people were not required to trade them in for something that one can actually read on the road.

It's a license plate, people, who cares? Personally I'd rather see cars with reflective and readable license plates to be able to report a disabled vehicle or a hit-and-run. Isn't this more important than hanging onto a relic from the 80s?

I don't know how making people turn in green plates will free up numbers. If someone turns in green plate, the car still needs a plate (with a number on it). I am not sure if this is true, but I have also heard more than once that the a red and white plate can be issued with the same number as an actively registered green plate. I suspect many of the folks hanging on to green plates simply like the idea of needing only a back plate. As stated above, the solution is legislation for a new single plate law. Save energy + resources with one plate campaign. Greenies are the new green advocates.

I love my greenie. I've just ordered a replacement green plate from a company that uses the same exacting manufacturing method as our prisons. My registration expires soon so I will be able to place a new sticker on my new green plate (same number). By inspection time, it should look worn enough to pass. All this because I've had the same plate forever, since I got my license, and I absolutely resent being told I have to get 2 new plates with new numbers. In the large scheme of things...is this a big deal? absolutely not, If I have to get red plates I will. but, I hate change and I hate waste.

I was turned away from an inspection station on Saturday because I have a green license plate. They sent me to the RMV to get a new one, but they're closed on Saturdays. So now I have an expired sticker & could getting a fine + 6 years of surcharges if I am stopped by police. I just called & I asked my inspection station where they got this information, they are checking now. The registrar was on WBZ-TV 4 last night stating that the registry apologizes for the confusion & takes responsibility for it, but will they take responsibility for the fines that are handed out based on this bogus information? I doubt it. Motorists are already taking enough lumps with the looming gas tax, registry fee hikes, the "carbon footprint" fee, etc. Do we really need more headaches?

they have no clue whats going on i work for a car dealership and we had a customer come in with the 1976 low number red plates!! the kind that massachusetts on the bottom!!! and my dad's old green plate (recently retired because the car was totaled out of state) was more legible than my aunts red plates. hers ended in GN and ALL the red was gone. they could solve the whole issue by allowing you to keep your number just on the red/white plate, as you can have any plate starting with WAA. replaced with a brand new replacement for $10. my one car has 2 plates because the front bracket was on it. my BMW doesn't have a bracket so no front on that one, oh well!

"I am not sure if this is true, but I have also heard more than once that the a red and white plate can be issued with the same number as an actively registered green plate."

You can't get the same number on a new plate, so when/if they get all of the green letter plates off the road they could have that whole number block available for later use.

My plates are 22 years old. Yes, the reflective strip is gone. I failed inspection on my one year old minivan. Fine. I didn't pitch a fit. I took the rejection (as I was day past my deadline for the inspection sticker renewal).

What did piss me off is going to the RMV and waiting to find out that their computer was down. It was down all day yesterday (originally she told me it had been up and down, but then later said 'all day')

I believe the run on getting new plates (forced by failed inspections) has overloaded the mass RMV system.