What should you do if your registration expires?

Explanation

If your vehicle registration expires, you should renew it as soon as possible – and avoid driving the car until you do (except perhaps directly to the DMV). Driving with expired registration (often signified by an expired sticker on your license plate) is illegal. As soon as you realize your registration is expired (or ideally just before it expires), contact your state’s DMV or go online to complete the renewal. The process usually involves paying the registration fee and any late fee that might apply if you missed the deadline. If you drive while your registration is expired and you get pulled over, you can be ticketed. The penalties for expired tags typically involve a fine, which can vary based on how long it’s been expired – for example, it might be a small fine if you’re just a few weeks overdue, but it can grow larger if it’s months overdue. In some places, law enforcement might even tow your vehicle for very long-expired registrations (since technically the car isn’t legal to operate on public roads). Also, an expired registration could complicate an accident or insurance claim. So, the bottom line: don’t ignore an expired registration. Renew it promptly through the DMV. Until it’s renewed, minimize driving the vehicle to avoid legal issues.