Some Thoughts on Cars and Parking Permits
Posted June 15, 2018 by ShanTil Yell
Hello, people of the world! I’d like to pass along some practical advice about what it’s like to bring your out of state car to Massachusetts, because there are a number of things I’ve had to learn the hard way since I did just that a couple of weeks ago.
First off, there are a number of cities in the Greater Boston Area that will require you to have a street parking permit if you aren’t lucky enough to land in a place with a driveway or garage. Know that you have been blessed by the parking gods if such fortune falls upon your head. And since the spaces in the lot behind my apartment complex were already filled up, I was in need of such a permit. I made a big, fat assumption that since I was a grad student living here temporarily, I’d still be able to get some kind of permit. Oh, I was wrong. So very wrong.
It turns out that when you’re living here and have your vehicle here, you’re required to register said vehicle in MA. And I had to do just that if I even wanted to think about parking my car in the vicinity of where I am living. *deep sigh* So I’ve been jumping through hoops and filling out all sorts of paperwork and couch-surfing at the homes of various friends who DO have available street parking (which I’m super grateful for and has been very fun and sweet, actually) until all this gets settled. Fingers crossed that it will be soon!
Another note- Be sure to order an E-ZPass transponder for when you’re taking toll roads.
Anyway, if you’re planning to bring your car here like I did, I hope to save you some of the hassle I’ve been through! I’m leaving a link below to the state government’s blog that provides all sorts of handy information, from what all you need to do to the paperwork you’ll need to bring when you brave the lines at the RMV. There’s also another link for setting up an E-ZPass account and ordering the transponder. Best of luck to you!
https://www.ezdrivema.com/ezpassma