What Happens if You Don’t Register Your Car?

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Owning a car comes with its fair share of responsibilities, including registering your vehicle. Unfortunately, some drivers tend to procrastinate on this task until they eventually forget all about it. Unless you want to suffer the consequences of getting caught driving an unregistered vehicle, be sure to register your car as soon as possible. 

What Is Car Registration?

A vehicle registration is an official document that certifies your vehicle can be driven on public roads. It also connects your vehicle to a specific state and you as the owner. 

In most states, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is in charge of issuing vehicle registrations, but some states will have a different agency. Be sure to check with your local authorities if you’re unsure where to register your car. 

What Happens When You Fail to Register Your Car?

Different states will have different penalties if you’re caught driving an unregistered vehicle or a car with expired registration around. In general, however, you can expect the following penalties: 

Expensive Fines

Fines for driving without registration can range from $100 to $200. The fine itself actually starts from $25, but you’ll also have to pay all sorts of surcharges, such as a tax multiplier, causing the fine to balloon to the $100 range. 

The fees are also likely to get more expensive the longer you drive around with an expired registration. 

Warnings and Tickets

If your registration is less than six months expired, you’re likely to get off with a warning. Most officers will be more lenient with first-time offenders and issue a warning or citation without any fines. 

Towed or Impounded Car

Law enforcement officers have the right to tow or impound an unregistered vehicle or one with registration that’s expired for more than six months. 

Court Hearing

Some citations will require you to attend a court hearing. If you cooperate well, you might be able to get your ticket dismissed as long as you renew your registration and pay a dismissal fee. 

Jail Time

Did you know having multiple violations under your belt can cause you to end up behind bars? If you’re caught driving a car that’s been unregistered for a long time after committing several traffic violations, you can spend up to 15 days in jail. 

Situations Where You Need to Register Your Car

Here is when you need to register your vehicle: 

After Buying a New or Used Vehicle

Some dealerships will offer to register your vehicle for you. They’ll file the necessary paperwork on your behalf, and all you have to do is wait for your registration and license plates to arrive in the mail. However, for a private sale and many dealerships, you’ll need to take the appropriate documentation to your town clerk in order to properly register your vehicle in person.

Moving to a New State

Depending on which state you move to, you’ll have a limited timeframe to register your car. Be sure to check with the local DMV for more information. 

One or Two Years After the Last Registration

How often do you have to register your car? It can vary depending on which state you live in, but you typically have to renew your vehicle registration every one or two years. 

Situations Where You’re Exempted From Registering Your Car

There are some situations where you’re exempted from registering your car and incurring any penalties that you might get from driving around an unregistered vehicle. Here are some examples: 

Member of the US Military

In most states, military personnel aren’t required by law to register their vehicles when they’re stationed overseas or in a different state. However, once they move back to their home state, they’ll have 30 days to register their vehicle with the DMV. Failure to register a vehicle during that timeframe can lead to a fine of $100 to $1000.

In some states, military members still have to register their vehicles but are exempt from paying any fees.

Offroad Vehicle

Almost all states will require you to register your offroad vehicle, but there are a few where registration is optional. If you live in Alabama, Kentucky, Virginia, or Texas, you don’t have to register your offroad vehicle to drive it around.

Registered as a Nonresident of Another State

In some states, you’re exempt from registering your vehicle in another state if you’re a nonresident with a car that’s already registered in your home state. However, this exemption doesn’t last forever. It can vary depending on the state you’re visiting, but some only allow you to stay there without registering or paying any fees for 30 days. 

What You Need to Register Your Car

You can check with your local DMV regarding the specific documents you’ll need to prepare for your vehicle registration. To give you some idea, however, here are some documents you’ll most likely have to prepare: 

Proof of Car Ownership

You’ll need to prepare your vehicle’s title to prove that you own it. If you’re leasing the car, you can present a copy of the lease agreement instead. 

Purchase Bill or Certificate of Origin

If you’re the first owner of a brand-new vehicle, then you’ll need a certificate of origin from the dealership. If you bought the car from a private seller, then you can request a purchase bill or bill of sale instead. 

ID and Proof of Residence

For identification and proof of residence, you can simply present your driver’s license. If you recently moved to a new state, you’ll have to present a utility bill or other documents to prove your residency. 

Proof of Insurance

Different states have different standards when it comes to insurance coverage, so make sure to double-check the requirements with your local DMV first. 

Additional Certificates

Some states might ask you for additional documents, such as emissions and safety certificates and the odometer reading stating your vehicle’s current mileage. 

Basic Information About the Car

Your car title typically comes with all the necessary information about your car. However, you might want to prepare a document detailing your vehicle identification number (VIN) and its year, make, and model. 

How Much Does Car Registration Cost?

The cost of registering your vehicle can vary depending on where you live, but in general, the base registration fee ranges from $30 to $50. In some states, you’ll have to pay a state fee plus a registration fee that’s based on the weight of your car. 

What Does Car Registration Look Like?

It’ll depend on which state you live in. Some states issue vehicle registration cards, while others simply provide paper documents. Either way, however, they serve as an official document that contains the following information: 

• VIN
• Name(s) it’s registered under
• Address
• License plate number
• Vehicle’s year, make, and model
• Registration number
• Expiration date

Just like your driver’s license, you should always have your vehicle registration with you when you’re driving.

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