Recently, I had a very positive experience with the Registry of Motor Vehicles when I had to turn in an old green license plate.  My Mom's car had a very faded (basically illegible) green Massachusetts license plate.  When she got the plate over 25 years ago, it had freshly painted green letters and numbers.   The test of time took its toll, and the plate faded to the point of being nearly invisible.

When my Mom's car would not pass state inspection due to the faded plate, it was time to switch it out for two shiny new red ones.  The RMV has phased out the older green plates in favor of the red.  The paint on the green plates fade in time, and I've seen many green plates that need changing.  If you have a green plate, you just need one for the back of your car.  If you have the red plates, you must have two, one for the front and the back. 

This task was totally hassle-free.  I called my Mom's  insurance company, promptly received an RMV-3 form (to change the plates), and brought that to the Registry along with the old plate and the registration.   I turned in the green plate and received two new red ones in a flash.  I was in and out in less than ten minutes and there was no charge.  How about that?

As I found out, you cannot keep the old green plate for sentimental reasons.  It must be forfeited.  You will get an entirely new license plate, too.  You can't have the old green numbers and letters on a new red plate.

Now, I have a car with the green plate and it looks just as it did 20 years ago.  It's easily readable and the paint is not faded, so there is no need to turn it in to the Registry.  Just be mindful that if you have a faded green plate, it's a good idea to think about turning it in before it becomes a reason for you to get pulled over by law enforcement or rejected for your state inspection sticker. 

How many of you have a green license plate?  Is it faded?  If so, are you thinking of turning it in soon?