Chapter 3-3 Illegible/Replacement Plates The RMV is NOT recalling green license plates. By state law, Massachusetts license plates must be readable from 60 feet away. Any green or red passenger plate, which has lost its reflective coating or paint must be replaced. You can be cited by law enforcement for this violation. Also, your vehicle will be ineligible to pass the yearly required state safety inspection. The RMV encourages vehicle owners to swap illegible plates for a set of red plates at no fee. Faded and illegible plates can be swapped at any of the RMV's full service center locations. 10/11 Here is a link to the RMV Chart on Illegible Plates. 12/08 3:19http://www.massagent.com/rpmlinks/illegibleplatechart.pdf