Guide  Moving to Massachusetts: Planning Your Move

If you are renting a home or an apartment, the Office of Consumer Affairs & Business Regulation (OCABR) emphasizes the importance of knowing your tenant rights and responsibilities, such as:

• Protection from unlawful discrimination
• Rental agreements for leases and tenancy-at-will
• Rent withholding and deductions for repairs
• Lease termination, eviction, and moving out

If you will be buying a home in Massachusetts, make sure you consider all the steps you will need to take, whether or not you’re a first-time home buyer.

In general, leased vehicles must be registered and titled in Massachusetts. However, there are exceptions, so check with the RMV to determine what steps you need to take. If the leased vehicle needs to be titled in Massachusetts, the leasee must bring the Form RMV-1, the current out-of-state title, a $75 title fee, and registration fee to an RMV branch office.

Follow these tips to ease your move on the big day:

Choose a Reputable Mover

• The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) recommends selecting a reputable mover.
• Make sure that any in-state moving company you use is properly licensed with the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU).
• Follow the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) guidelines to protect yourself from moving fraud.

Observe Parking Restrictions

• Research parking restrictions before moving to find out where you are allowed to unload vehicles.
• Contact your city or town for information on obtaining a moving permit, or talk to your landlord or property owner.

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If you are converting a license from a foreign country, you must take the full driver’s test, which includes the written, road, and vision exams, and present identification documents similar to those outlined in the previous section. You may also need a sponsor depending on the country that issued your license. However, if you are a foreign visitor with a valid license from one of the countries or territories approved by the RMV, you may legally drive in Massachusetts for up to one year. The year begins on the date of your arrival, and you must be at least 18 years old and drive only the vehicle type covered by your license.

You may be eligible to convert your out-of-state license into a Massachusetts one if you currently carry a valid license from a U.S. territory, Canada, or Mexico. The license must meet the RMV’s identification requirements.

International driving permits cannot be converted to a Massachusetts driver’s license, and do not give you any driving privileges.