Mass state police license plates

Most service centers accept cash, check, money order, and credit or debit cards. Many of these special plates can be ordered by mail. If your plate must be ordered, please allow weeks for processing. Certain special plates for motorcycles are also available. Special plates are randomly assigned except for vanity plates. You can't request a particular plate number or keep your current plate number. This form only gathers feedback about the website.

Would you like to provide additional feedback to help improve Mass. How much do you agree with the following statements in the scale of 1, Strongly Disagree, to 5, Strongly Agree? If you would like to continue helping us improve Mass. An official website of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Here's how you know Official websites use. This page, Apply for a special license plate, is offered by Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles show more. Apply for a special license plate There are special license plates available to people with unique qualifications such as military service or a disability as well as vanity plates.

These plates require an application and can't be ordered online. See full list of available special plates. Photo courtesy Hervey P. Standard passenger series license plate used. Courtesy Ron Guilmette. In early and for the first time in their history, the Massachusetts State Police began issuing titled State Police license plates to replace the use of regular passenger license plates on their marked patrol vehicles.

Bartlett to Mrs. Provided courtesy of Henry Diorio. One hundred sets of the new plates were to be numbered between 23 and at that time. The plates were made of embossed steel and made in the color scheme as passenger car license plates of white over maroon and the same format using the "white rectangle box" with MASS 59 debossed inside in maroon situated between the upper mounting holes. The numbers were issued in sequence with the lowest numbers reserved for ranking command staff.

There is debate as to whether the Lincoln shown in the photo is that of the Governor of the state or the Commissioner of the MSP. Any confirmation either way would be welcomed. All Massachusetts license plates were validated for by means of a windshield decal, however by March of , the paint on the relatively new plates began to peel off causing the new plates to rust prematurely. By March 25th of that year, brand new Massachusetts State Police license plates were manufactured and ready for pick-up by MSP.

Within a month, the original run of rusty license plates were returned to the Registry and the improved versions had been affixed to the affected fleet.

On May 11, , new Massachusetts State Police license plates were ordered for the production run intended to replace the license plates. The license plates followed the same format as the issue, but were colored white over green with MASS 61 in the white rectangle box in the top center of the plate.

According to the order document, several numbers were omitted similar to the order. These plates were validated for by means of a windshield decal. On March 27th, , new Massachusetts State Police license plates were ordered for the production run intended to replace the license plates. The license plates followed the same format as the issue, but were colored white over maroon with MASS 64 in the white rectangle box. According to the order document, much like previous orders, several numbers were omitted for unknown reasons.

Some MSP cars were issued with passenger car license plates as an interim measure until a titled state police license plate could replace it. In December of , the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles requested for the MSP to test run 60 sets of "permanent" license plates on their "high speed cruisers" throughout the state from January 1 until April 1 Although there is no record or personal recollection of what these test plates looked like, here is the breakdown of how the test license plates were deployed on New Years Day Troop A Framingham ran numbers 42, 45, 46, 51, 52, 53, 56, 57, 58, 66, 67, 68, 75, 76 and Troop B Northampton ran numbers , , , , , , , , , , , , , , and Troop C Holden ran numbers , , , , , , , , , , , , , and Troop D Middleboro ran numbers , , , , , , , , , , , , , and A complete breakdown for each involved cruiser with its start and end mileage during the three month period was compiled by Lt.

Robert Tabaroni. Some cruisers logged an excess of 22, miles during that time while others didn't even get far out of the gate, like cruiser SP that wrecked out on the first day of trial at miles. Courtesy Hervey P. Courtesy Michael Slepetz. Courtesy Bob Bricker. The plate had an embossed border like the previous issue, but the state name was embossed in full at the top with no year appearing on the plate.

It is believed that these plates were used up until late when new titled MSP license were issued for the fleet. Courtesy of Hervey P. Once again, embossed aluminum license plates were used and were colored white over reflective medium blue. The number up to 3 digits occupied the center right field of the plate as it had done since , however the number for this issuance was an assignment number based on the Troop allocation.

These troop allocations are outlined below the troop map. These license plates were validated for with a reflective white over red decal that was affixed in the upper right hand corner of the plate. The decals expired on December 31 of each year. The decal had the state name inscribed at the top followed by DEC over a white rectangle featuring a serial number in red preceded by the prefix No. Decals for followed the same format, but were white over blue with DEC over a white rectangle featuring a serial number in blue preceded by the prefix No.

Decals for followed the same format as well but were white over black with DEC over a white rectangle featuring a serial number in black preceded by the prefix No.

These decals appear the most prominent on these MSP license plates as it was the last year this base was used. The white paint used on the embossed portions of these plates proved to be easily compromised by the elements and repeated car washes. Many are found with no paint left on the raised portions. In , the Massachusetts State Police once again "re-plated" their marked fleet.

The new plates were also embossed aluminum and were painted dark blue over reflective white. The earlier versions of this plate had a reflective white background that yellowed as it aged. Newer versions employed a background that was brighter white. These license plates were issued until approximately and still utilized Troop allocation numbers. These license plates were also validated for with reflective white over red decals with DEC expiry. This was the last time for validation decals to make an appearance on MSP license plates as someone within the organization finally must have realized the uselessness of placing expiry decals on permanent license plates.

In , another replating of the MSP marked fleet took place. This time, the change was subtle. The reflective white material used was of better quality and maintained its brightness better than the older issues.

Some of the later ones incorporated circular holograms in the background sheeting showing the state silhouette and the last two digits of the year of manufacture ie: 86 for The Troop allocation numbers continued until the size of the fleet increased more and more. By the late 's the fleet numbers exceeded It was around that time that MSP license plate numbers were issued sequentially and with no Troop designation.

These license plates were issued and displayed on marked MSP fleet vehicles until Some people get into collecting license plates because they like the different styles and features that attract them to a familiar place and a familiar time. Some because they like old cars and motoring history.

Then you have some, like our good friend Michael Crosby who started an interest in collecting license plates when his MSP license plate stood in the way of a bullet fired by a desperate criminal and terrorist who was trying to kill him during a shoot-out at a highway rest-stop in the early Winter hours of Here's the fascinating story:.

Just before AM on the night of February 7th , a green station wagon is parked with its lights off at a rest-stop off I in North Attleboro. Inside are two male occupants. MSP Trooper Paul Landry is on site and commences his observations on the vehicle and the men inside it.

Thirty-one year old Trooper Michael Crosby, a proud member of the Massachusetts State Police since was also on patrol in the area in his marked Ford Crown Victoria bearing license plate It wasn't long before the young trooper responded to a call for assistance from Trooper Landry who had observed one of the men in the green car conceal something under his coat.

Despite identification checks for the occupants coming back negative, there was still something "not right" with the actions and responses of these two men. Crosby aimed his spotlight into the car interior and both officers ordered the men out of the vehicle. Landry pat-frisked the passenger in the area of his coat where he had seen something concealed earlier only to have his hands pushed-away by the jittery man.

Landry was of the belief that the man was wearing body armor. Crosby covered the driver while Landry told the passenger to place his hands over his head and move no further. The man not only refuted these repeated demands, but pushed-away Landry and reached into his coat. Both Troopers drew their service revolvers and ordered the man to freeze. They recovered a 9 mm semi-automatic pistol from the man's waistband.

It was at this time when the focus was on the passenger's gun, that the driver of the station wagon bolted and took-up a position behind the car. The Troopers ordered the driver to come out with his hands up, but instead, the driver fired three shots at the officers.

Tpr Landry pulled the passenger down to the ground, handcuffed him and returned fire at the driver. Crosby realized that in order to call for back-up, he had to make it to the radio inside the patrol car.

He made a mad dash across the parking lot and dove for cover behind a garbage dumpster, not before seeing the muzzle-flash of the driver's gun go off at him. Crosby was able to finally get to the radio to call for much needed back-up while the driver was kept pinned-down by the two officers firing back at him. Troopers, local police, even units from nearby Rhode Island State Police converged upon the scene to render assistance. The true identity of these two men eventually became discovered.

This group of anti-establishment bandits bombed banks, military and corporate facilities as well as nineteen courthouses in the U. Lamonaco just 4 days before Christmas of along a stretch of Route 80 near the Delaware Water Gap. A search of the green station wagon discovered an array of drugs and a cache of more firearms and ammunition. Once the dust had settled, Tpr Crosby observed a single bullet hole that tore through the bottom left corner of his rear license plate.

He was permitted by his superiors to keep the license plate as a memento of his lucky night where the bullet meant for him was caught by this tin rectangle instead. In the years that followed, Trooper Michael Crosby became Sergeant Michael Crosby and fostered an interest in license plate collecting. It was as a result of his hobby pursuits that the writer and "Mike" became fast friends.

How bittersweet is the irony that such a near-death experience so many miles away and so long ago, would have evolved into such a friendship that seems like family. In January of , the Massachusetts State Police unveiled a ground-breaking and revolutionary change in the design of their agency-specific license plates. Perhaps one of the most recognizable and distinctive designs for any state police or highway patrol agency at the time. The design was based on an extension of the state's new "Spirit of America" graphic license plates that commenced issuance to Bay State motorists in early The plate was made of aluminum with a step-border.

The background was reflective white with the state name spelled in full stylized navy blue font over embossed numerals up to four digits painted in red. The MSP "door seal" emblem occupied the center left field of the plate in blue silkscreen and the word "Official" was silkscreened in italic dark blue font at the bottom center of the plate. What made this bold and attractive distinction that was showcased on every marked vehicle in the MSP fleet even more interesting, was the man behind the idea and the design: an MSP garage mechanic by the name of James Aitken.

James had been employed as a mechanic by the MSP for almost 10 years by that time, and had always felt a deep pride and a true sense of belonging to this hallowed organization. I had asked Jim about the origins of his idea and concept for the first MSP graphic license plate and figured that it would be best to leave it to his own words he had written to me:.

The cruiser had to go. As I was preparing the loading of the cruiser on the MSP ramp truck for transport back to then A-troop Framingham, I saw a white cruiser parked on the sidewalk just outside the gate of HQ I noted that it had a new type of plate I had never seen up until that point in time. The plate had the RMV police arm patch logo on it as well as the cruiser number.

Not having computers back then, it took a lot of scotch tape and forgotten numbers of trips to the Fleet section photo copier to come up with a few good looking designs. Once I had some designs I liked, I presented my thoughts, reasonings and designs to the Fleet Section commanding officer then Lt.

He can not recall the exact date I came to him about my idea for a plate change but agreed it was around early part of Walter said by my forethought of a new plate and with coincidence, it fit perfectly as the MSP saw a need to add a fourth digit to the plate. The fleet was growing and would need this four number plate down the road. Pomerleau wrote a letter to the commissioner of Public Safety, Frank J. Trabucco around the early part of , about the need for a plate change.

Trabucco then gave his blessings and contacted the registrar of Motor Vehicles which put the change into motion. Once the plate run was complete, I and a Trooper from Fleet went to Nashua Street and picked the plates up.

The plate change took place as the cruisers came in for work or as the new cruisers were set up for service with the MSP. Jealousy on my part all the way. The MSP brass gave me plate number one for my trouble. These novel and attractive new plates began to be assigned to the remainder of the MSP fleet by January 15 of beginning with Troop E and Troop F cars.

As Jim had stated, these plates were deployed during service and replacement rotations. Originally, these plates were run rear-only with the spare plate kept in storage at the MSP garage in Framingham.

It was also deemed in these earliest days of this issue that plates numbered from thru were to be assigned to line cars, and numbers and up were to be used on unmarked and non-patrol vehicles. Ten 1 license plates were made for dignitaries. Most of these early issues have circular holograms in the background sheeting running down the center of the plate showing the state silhouette with 88 indicating the year of manufacture.

Numeral positioning on the plate varies, and some numerals begin with a lead zero while most others do not. These plates were issued with sequential numbers with no particular Troop allocation and were issued until He spent his last nine years as Senior Mechanic and was Foreman of the Fleet for the last three.

The MSP and this hobby owes Jim a great deal of gratitude and recognition for playing such a pivotal role in providing one of the most distinctive and ubiquitous identifiers in the moving history of the oldest state police agency in the United States of America. In late , the MSP had released an image of a new license plate design for use beyond The new license plate began issuance to marked vehicles in the MSP fleet by early The new design was once again a reflective white embossed aluminum plate with a step-border.

The door seal emblem was replaced with the shoulder patch emblem, and the title "State Trooper" was inscribed with the same color and font as the state name on the bottom center of the plate. A small flag of the USA occupied the top right corner of the plate and the numerals up to four digits was painted in medium blue. These plates were issued with sequential numbers with no particular Troop allocation and are still being issued as of this writing.

On May 15th , the Massachusetts Turnpike was opened for cross-state highway traffic from West Stockbridge in the western part of the state to Weston on the distant outskirts of Boston. The Massachusetts State Police was contracted to perform patrol and enforcement duties on the new Turnpike, however in patrol vehicles owned and operated by the Turnpike Authority.

These earliest patrol vehicles were Chrysler station wagons with ci engines and painted in Kelly green and white. The vehicles were outfitted with a variety of equipment to assist motorists on the new highway, including a stretcher to transport the sick and injured to local hospitals. Also, if your current registration expires within 2 weeks, you will not be able to order special plates online.

If you need to change your address with the RMV, make that change before starting the online transaction. Most service centers accept cash, check, or money order. Special plates are randomly assigned.

You can't request a particular plate number or keep your current plate number. There are a variety of special passenger plates that cannot be ordered online. For some plates i. Veteran's plates , you must complete an application and show documentation.

You can learn more about applying for a special license plate that reflects your unique status. A request for these special plates must be completed in person.

This form only gathers feedback about the website. Would you like to provide additional feedback to help improve Mass. How much do you agree with the following statements in the scale of 1, Strongly Disagree, to 5, Strongly Agree? If you would like to continue helping us improve Mass.

An official website of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Here's how you know Official websites use. This page, Order a special license plate to support a favorite cause, is offered by Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles show more. Order a special license plate to support a favorite cause Are you passionate about sports, nature, or a special cause? Order a special license plate to show your support.