Bloomberg / Getty Images
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The state Transportation Department's board of directors has voted to hike registry, inspection and road test fees, making it a bit more expensive to own a car in Massachusetts.

    Non-commercial vehicle registration fees would increase from $50 to $60 and annual state car inspection fees would jump from $29 to $35.

    Road test fees would increase from $20 to $35.

    The fee hikes approved Wednesday are needed to close a $53 million gap in the department's budget.

    The DOT pointed to a series of factors for the higher fees.

    They said the last time the state inspection fee was raised was in 1999 while road test fees have not been increased in more than a decade.

    The agency also said it tried to bring the fees in line with those charged in other states.

(Associated Press)

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