What are the benefits of commercial license plates for contractors other than being a tax right off as a business expense? Working in MA, I have been working with no signage on my truck with regular license plates but I heard that there may be additional benefits to having Commercial license plates versus regular issued. Please advise of advantages and disadvantages also if you have any. Thank you!

Hi Grapefruit:

Basically, commercial plates allow me to park in certain places that I couldn't normally park in.

I work in Boston quite a bit and without my commercial plates I might never be able to park in certain places.

Boston also requires that your truck have sign, license number, and telephone number in order to work in Boston (not so in surrounding towns... but in Boston it is mandatory... although many don't do it).

Otherwise... disadvantages are that you need to register vehicle YEARLY instead of biyearly.. so costs a bit more.

Basically, in terms of tickets, commercial plates are a steal! I can park in front of a restaurant or a loading zone for short term jobs and no worries about tickets.

Let me know if you need more information... glad to help!

MARK