From Code of Massachusetts Regulations:
540 CMR 4.04
4.04: Procedures for Inspection of Non-commercial Motor Vehicles
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(10) Lighting Devices.
(a) Tail Lights. Every motor vehicle, except a two-wheeled motorcycle, an antique motor car,
and a farm tractor, shall be equipped with two red lights (tail lamps) mounted one at each side
of the rear of the vehicle so as to show two red lights from behind and equipped with two stop
lights (stop lamps) mounted and displayed in a like manner. A single lamp may combine both of
the above functions. Every motor vehicle shall be equipped with a white light so arranged as to
illuminate the rear number plate so that it is plainly visible at 60 feet.
(b) Directional. Front and rear directional signals will be operable on every vehicle originally
equipped with such signals. Every motor vehicle registered in the Commonwealth, which was
manufactured for the model year 1967 and for subsequent model years, shall be equipped
with a device to permit the front and rear directional signals to flash simultaneously.
(c) Headlamps. Headlamp aim shall be checked in accordance with the specifications as most
recently provided by the Registrar.
(d) Lighting Devices and Reflectors. All lighting devices and reflectors originally equipped on the
vehicle at the time of manufacture shall be operable and operate as they were originally
designed. Lenses must be intact, clean, unobstructed, and free from cracks. The use of adhesive
tape to repair lenses is prohibited.
(e) Aftermarket Lighting. Any aftermarket lighting inconsistent with FMVSS 108 or M.G.L. c. 90
shall be removed or the vehicle shall be rejected. All approved aftermarket lighting shall be
operable and capable of performing their design function or must be removed from the vehicle.
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(12) Bumpers, Fenders. External Sheet Metal and Fuel Tank. A Certificate of Rejection shall be
issued if any of the following conditions are evident:
(a) Bumpers. Broken or bent bumpers, fenders, exterior sheet metal or moldings, having sharp
edges or abnormal protrusions extending beyond normal vehicle extremities so as to constitute
a danger to pedestrians and other motor vehicle traffic. If bumper face plates are removed,
bumper brackets must also be removed. On vehicles equipped with air bags, the front bumpers
may not be removed. The vehicle hood, door(s), luggage compartment lid, and battery or
engine compartment doors or lids, if so equipped, must operate as originally designed.
(b) Latches and Lids. The vehicle hood, door(s), luggage compartment lid, and battery or engine
compartment doors or lids, if so equipped, must operate as originally designed.
(c) Fenders. Front and rear fenders must be in place on all vehicles manufactured after model
year 1949 if such vehicles were designed and manufactured to be operated with front and
rear fenders. Every motor vehicle under 10,000 lbs. (GVWR), which is equipped with tires which
extend beyond the fenders or body of such vehicle shall be equipped with flaps or suitable
guards to reduce such spray or splash to the rear and side.
(d) Floor Pans. Holes or cracks, due to rust or otherwise, in the floor pans or other body panels
which would permit the passage of exhaust gases into the passenger or trunk compartments.
(e) Fuel Tanks. Fuel tanks and all fuel system components, including fuel caps, which are not
securely attached to the vehicles body or chassis, or that are leaking.
(f) Frame or Unibody. Broken, cracked, modified or rusted structural parts of the undercarriage
or unibody so as to cause a hazard or structural weakness.
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(14) Safety Belts, Lap Belts and Shoulder Restraints. Safety belts, lap belts and shoulder
restraints originally installed in motor vehicles manufactured after July 1, 1966 shall be
inspected to assure that all are maintained in good order. It shall be the responsibility of the
motorist that the safety belts are readily accessible for inspection.
From General Laws of Massachusetts:
M.G.L.A. 90 § 7. Brakes, braking systems, mufflers, horns, lights, audible warning systems,
and other equipment; compliance with safety standards; stickers and emblems
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Every motor vehicle and trailer so operated shall be equipped with two rear lights mounted one
at each side of the rear of the vehicle so as to show two red lights from behind and a white light
so arranged as to illuminate and not obscure the rear number plate and shall be equipped with
two stop lights mounted and displayed in a like manner of a type complying with minimum
standards for construction and performance as the registrar may prescribe; provided, however,
that a two-wheeled motorcycle, an antique motor car and a farm tractor need be equipped
with only one such rear red light and one suitable stop light in addition to the number plate
illuminator; and provided, further, that a trailer having a gross weight of three thousand
pounds or less which does not obscure the required lights of the towing vehicle need be
equipped with only one such rear red light and one white light so arranged as to illuminate and
not obscure the rear number plate.
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§ 9A. Safety glass; windshields, windows
No person shall operate any motor vehicle, and the owner or custodian of a motor vehicle shall
not permit the same to be operated with partitions, doors, windows or windshields of glass
unless such glass is of a type known as safety glass. The term “safety glass”, as used herein,
shall include any glass designed to minimize the likelihood of personal injury from its breaking
or scattering when broken. This section shall not apply to motor vehicles manufactured prior
to January first, nineteen hundred and thirty-six.
§ 13A. Persons in Motor Vehicles Required to Wear Safety Belts; Exceptions; Penalties for
Violations; Contesting Citations.
No person shall operate a private passenger motor vehicle or ride in a private passenger motor
vehicle, a vanpool vehicle or truck under eighteen thousand pounds on any way unless such
person is wearing a safety belt which is properly adjusted and fastened; provided, however,
that this provision shall not apply to:
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(b) any person riding in a motor vehicle manufactured before July first, nineteen hundred and
sixty six;
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§ 19D. Permit stickers; issuance; application; certificate of gross vehicle weight rating;
violations; penalties
Except for special permits for the carrying of so-called irreducible loads, for which permit
stickers shall not be required, the registrar shall issue to the owner or lessee of a motor vehicle,
trailer, semi-trailer or semi-trailer unit or tandem unit for which a permit, other than a special
permit for the carrying of so-called irreducible loads, has been issued under the provisions of
sections thirty and thirty A of chapter eighty-five, a permit sticker to be affixed to the upper
center portion of the windshield, or in case of a trailer or a semi-trailer to the lower right front,
upon the payment by such owner or lessee of the fee provided in section thirty-three of
chapter ninety; provided that such owner or lessee shall have filed with the registrar the
written approval of the commissioner of highways of his application for such permit, together
with a certificate of the gross vehicle weight rating of such motor vehicle, trailer, semi-trailer or
semi-trailer unit or tandem unit. If standards promulgated by the United States Department of
Transportation, or such agency as may succeed to its powers and responsibilities, are applicable
to such vehicle, its gross vehicle weight rating shall be reported to the registrar in accordance
with such standards. Such certificates shall be in such form as the registrar shall prescribe, but it
shall be divided in two sections, one to be executed by the owner or lessee, and the other to be
executed by a manufacturer of the vehicle or the authorized representative of such
manufacturer. The owner or lessee's section shall include, but not be limited to: (a) the make,
model and year of the motor vehicle, trailer, semi-trailer or semi-trailer unit or tandem unit; (b)
the vehicle identification number; (c) the name and address of the owner or lessee; (d) the
gross weight for which such vehicle is registered; (e) the maximum weight authorized by the
commissioner of highways for such vehicle; (f) a statement by the owner or lessee that to its
knowledge, no alterations have been made to the motor vehicle, trailer, semi-trailer or semitrailer
unit or tandem unit which would tend to reduce the said gross vehicle weight rating, and
that the chassis, axles, tires, rims, brakes, steering components and suspension system are
maintained in good order; (g) the date of permit approval by the commissioner of highways,
and any number assigned thereto by him; and (h) the expiration date of such permit, which
shall also be the expiration date of said permit sticker. The said manufacturer's section shall
include, but not be limited to: (a) the manufacturer's name and address and its representative's
name and address, if any, providing the gross vehicle weight rating, and (b) the said gross
vehicle weight rating in pounds.
If an owner or lessee shall be unable to obtain a manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating for
any such vehicle manufactured before January first, nineteen hundred and seventy-two and
shall submit to the registrar a statement in writing from such manufacturer giving the reasons
why it cannot provide such a rating, the registrar may nevertheless issue such a permit sticker
limited to such weight, not exceeding registered weight, as the registrar shall prescribe.