Massachusetts Lawnmower Registration Rumor Spreads Online

It's only March, but plenty of April Fools are falling for a social media hoax that says the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles may soon require all lawnmower owners to register them or face fines.

The Viral Lawnmower Registration Rumor

An unsigned and very unofficial-looking Facebook post, for example, claims that "Article 12 – Massachusetts Residential Lawnmower Registration Act" could take effect on January 1, 2027.

What the Fake Notice Claims

The fake notice advises the gullible among us that "The Massachusetts Legislature is considering a new law that would require all residential lawnmowers in the Commonwealth to be registered each year," at an annual cost of $38.

The phony notice says the proposal affects "any Massachusetts resident who owns, stores, or operates a residential lawnmower."

The hoax claims that under the proposed law, the RMV would issue a "weather-resistant sticker" to be affixed to the lawnmower. The notice warns of a $50 fine for non-compliance.

The purpose of the bogus proposal would be to "create a uniform statewide system for identifying and tracking residential lawnmowers, ensure safe operation, and support administrative oversight."

In most places, this would immediately be recognized as a clever practical joke – but this is Massachusetts.

Massachusetts Officials Respond to the Hoax

State House News Service reported that Massachusetts Rep. Joseph McKenna addressed the prank during a legislative hearing in Amherst this week, saying "it has generated several frustrated calls from constituents."

SHNS reported that Registrar of Motor Vehicles Colleen Ogilvie told the hearing, "There are a variety of fraudulent messages that have been going on via text."

McKenna and Ogilvie confirmed that the proposed bill requiring the registration of residential lawnmowers is just such an example of that misinformation.