Paper copies are a hassle, but honestly, it’s just not worth the risk to go digital-only. I learned that the hard way last year. I’d just picked up my new S-Class—first time registering something in MA, so I wanted everything to go smoothly. Walked into the RMV with my phone, feeling pretty confident. Of course, the battery tanked right as I got to the counter. The clerk just stared at me like I was trying to pull a fast one. Had to drive all the way home and back with a printed copy. Wasted half a day over something that should’ve taken thirty minutes.
I get that we’re all supposed to be moving toward digital everything, but the reality is, these places are still stuck in 2008. They want paper, they want signatures, and if you can’t produce it on the spot, you’re out of luck. I keep a folder in the glovebox now—insurance, registration, even a copy of the bill of sale. It’s overkill, but I’m not about to risk another wasted afternoon because someone behind the desk refuses to look at a PDF.
Honestly, I don’t trust their systems to be up-to-date either. Last time I renewed my registration, the system “couldn’t find” my insurance info even though it had been updated online two days before. Paper saved me again. Maybe it’s old school, but until the RMV catches up, I’m not ditching hard copies anytime soon.