• The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles has issued the Cape and Islands license plates since 1996.massachusetts baseball image by Stefano Tiraboschi from Fotolia.com
  
  According to the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles, Massachusetts was the first state in the United States to issue motor vehicle license plates. Over the years, the commonwealth has been proactive in enacting laws regarding the registration and inspection of motor vehicles. One such law requires if a motor vehicle has been issued front and rear license plates, as is most common, the vehicle must display both license plates issued by the Registry of Motor Vehicles on the front and rear of the vehicle.
  
  

Front License Plate Requirements

• License plates issued by the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles must be displayed in the proper place on the front and rear of the registered vehicle. Failure to do so may result in a citation by law enforcement officials or the refusal of an vehicular inspection sticker from an inspection station.
  
  

Other License Plate Requirements

• In addition to the front and rear display requirements, license plates must be completely legible from 60 feet. Old or damaged plates that are no longer legible must be replaced. Additionally, plates must not be blocked by license plate frames, bumpers, trailer hitches or other accessories.
  
  

Exceptions to Front License Plate Laws

• If a motor vehicle was issued an old Massachusetts license plate with green lettering, the vehicle must only display the green-lettered plate on the rear of the vehicle, provided the plate is legible and undamaged. The current red-lettered Massachusetts license plates have been issued since 1988, so if the green-lettered plates need to be replaced, the owner of the vehicle will receive red-lettered plates that need to be displayed on the front and back of the vehicle.