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.”…