In partnership with the Mass State Lottery, the RMV will hold a special plate lottery later this year for its most popular plate
Huzzah! In celebration of 250 years of America’s independence and Massachusetts’ revolutionary legacy, the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles, in partnership with the Massachusetts State Lottery, will hold a special low plate lottery for its most popular specialty plate – the new 250th Anniversary plate.
“Since last May, the RMV has offered the patriotic-themed higher number plates (online) as part of the Massachusetts 250 festivities. We are so excited to continue this celebration of American and state history by enabling all qualified Massachusetts residents a chance to win a coveted low number on the popular commemorative plate. The RMV is thrilled to partner with the Massachusetts State Lottery and benefit from its lottery expertise. And thank you to the RMV team for their incredible efforts in planning this event,” shared Registry of Motor Vehicles Registrar Colleen Ogilvie.
The new “Massachusetts 250 Years of Independence” plate features a blue background, with the year “1776” surrounded by 13 stars, and the phrase “250 Years of Independence” at the bottom. The RMV says that it has already issued more than 57,000 plates in the seven months since its launch.
“Massachusetts is a state of many firsts, and it is only appropriate that we celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary honoring our shared history with the opportunity to celebrate civic pride with a commemorative low number license plate through a lottery. This is a fun but meaningful and visible tribute to the historic occasion, allowing residents to participate in this once in a lifetime event,” said Interim MassDOT Secretary and MBTA General Manager Phillip Eng.
“This event represents a unique opportunity to combine historical recognition with public engagement in a way that aligns with the Lottery’s mission. A commemorative low lottery plate is likely to generate strong interest from residents across the state while honoring an extraordinary milestone in our state’s history,” said Massachusetts State Lottery Executive Director Mark William Bracken.
Lottery Timeline and Eligible Plates
Applications for the 250th Anniversary Plate lottery opened at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, February 16, 2026, and can be accessed online at myRMV Online Service Center (located under the Plates button). All entries must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, April 17, 2026.
Eligible low numbers include plates numbered 1 through 999 and the symbolic 1776. Requests for specific plate numbers will not be honored. Plates will be awarded using an electronic random-number generator system.
Lottery results, including the winner’s name, place of residence, and winning plate number, will be drawn on May 7th, and will be available to watch live on the RMV website. Following the official drawing, the lottery results will be posted on the RMV website (Mass.Gov/RMV) within five business days of the lottery event.
Who May Apply
Anyone with an active Massachusetts passenger registration may apply. To qualify under the official rules, an applicant must be a Massachusetts resident with a current, active, Massachusetts-registered and insured passenger motor vehicle.
As a condition of applying, applicants consent to the release of their name, zip code, and other required information in accordance with the Massachusetts Public Records law.
Only one entry per applicant will be accepted, regardless of the number of active passenger registrations on file with the RMV.
Ineligible Participants
The following are not eligible to participate:
- Companies and corporations
- Commercial vehicles and motorcycles
- Any employee of MassDOT, including executive-level employees and those within RMV, Highway, MBTA, Rail and Transit, Aeronautics, and shared services, as well as contract employees
- Any employee of the Mass Lottery, including executive-level employees and contract employees
- Immediate family members of MassDOT and Mass Lottery employees, including parents, spouses, children, and siblings
- Applicants whose Massachusetts registration is not active (including non-renewal, suspended, or revoked status) at the time of entry, at the time of the lottery, or at the time of the plate swap
- Applicants with outstanding violations or obligations reported to the RMV
Fees, Award Process, and Deadlines
There is no fee to apply for the lottery. All specialty plates carry a biennial $40 special plate fee, in addition to a $60 registration fee. The initial registration fee may vary depending on the applicant’s current plate expiration date and the expiration date of the awarded plate number.
Winners will be notified by mail with instructions on transferring their current registration to the new lottery plate. Winners must pay for and swap their plates by Friday, August 28, 2026.
Unclaimed plates after that deadline will be deemed forfeited and awarded to pre-selected alternate winners.
Plates will be registered only to the winning applicant named on the application and may not be transferred. All plates remain the property of the RMV, including after registration.
All plates remain the property of the RMV, including after registration.
Good luck!
