What Happens When Your Registration Expires and the Legal Consequences You May Face

Did you know that in 2024, the United States had around 296.6 million registered vehicles compared to the previous year? The average age of vehicles in the US is increasing, reaching a record 12.6 years. This can be caused by increasing costs of vehicles, forcing people to keep their vehicles longer.

Vehicle registration is required if you want to legally drive on national roads. Ignoring the registration process can result in paying fines for expired registrations. This can cause insurance complications when faced with an accident.

This article will explain the consequences of an expired registration and the legal complications that are associated with it.

Immediate Consequences of Expired Registration

You risk being detained by police if you drive an unregistered vehicle. When you are stopped, you will be issued a citation that will require you to provide an explanation on why your vehicle is not registered. This is considered an administrative offense that usually results in a fine. This situation may ultimately lead to unnecessary mental stress.

Your insurance provider will not cover accidents or damages if you drive in an unregistered condition. This can put a significant strain on your finances.

You can experience problems with renewing your vehicle’s registration until you have resolved the issue. Buyers and dealers will require an updated motor vehicle registration before selling or exchanging a vehicle with them.

Fines and Penalties You May Face

Driving with an expired registration can be costly due to fines and penalties. You may pay a state-specific citation fee based on your violation. Certain states charge more than others, with fees reaching up to $200. There are also fees for late registration. All of these can quickly add up if you are not proactive with your vehicle’s registration.

Fines will likely increase each time you are charged with an expired vehicle registration. Your license and vehicle may be confiscated. Your insurance premiums will increase after being caught with an expired vehicle registration. Repeated crimes may result in sentence or license revocation.

The Law Office of Lyndon R. Helton, PLLC, advises you to keep your registration updated if you want to avoid these kinds of financial problems.

Impact on Insurance Coverage

Many insurance companies use an expired registration as an excuse to cancel policies. This means that you are without financial support in case of a vehicular accident.

You may be sued for medical expenses or damage caused by an accident with an uninsured car. Take immediate action to renew your vehicle's registration when it expires.

Legal Actions and Court Appearance

Failure to renew your vehicle registration may result in judicial actions or a court appearance.

When summoned by the court, it is important for you to show up or you will face additional penalties, such as increased fines or even an arrest warrant.

Research the respective fines for driving an unregistered vehicle and pay them on time.

Steps to Resolve Expired Registration

Renewing expired registration starts with visiting your local DMV website and reading the renewal requirements. Vehicle titles, insurance evidence, and photo IDs are often required.

Renewal can be done online, by mail, or at your local DMV office. Choose the best option for your situation.

For example, when your registration has expired for some time, you may probably be required to go through a detailed vehicle inspection to renew your registration. Avoid delays by arranging for an inspection in advance.