Is it OK to drive in NC with expired car registration tags? Here’s what the law says
Like most states, North Carolina drivers must renew their vehicle registration every year. But if you’re a little late and missed the deadline, are you allowed to drive for awhile with expired tags?
Under state law, it is illegal “to drive a vehicle on a highway, or knowingly permit a vehicle owned by that person to be driven on a highway, when the vehicle is not registered with the Division” and “to willfully display an expired license or registration plate on a vehicle knowing the same to be expired.”
What are the penalties for driving with expired registration tags?
In North Carolina, there is a grace period if you can’t renew your registration tags before they expire, but you should take care of it as soon as possible — or else it’ll cost you.
“Although an individual can legally operate their vehicle up to 15 days after their registration expires (‘valid through’ date), the N.C. Division of Motor Vehicle charges a late fee up to $25 on all registration renewals paid after the license plate’s expiration date,” the NC DMV website says.
Aside from the late fees, driving with expired registration is also a Class 3 misdemeanor.
“If it [vehicle registration tag] is valid, of course, we’ll keep on going but if it shows it is expired, what we would normally do is, we’re going to stop you...and we are going to run it, confirm it,” Christopher Casey, a master trooper with N.C. State Highway Patrol, told The Charlotte Observer. “A lot of times before we even stop you, we run your tags just to make sure what’s going on...Sometimes an officer might issue you a verbal warning or written warning, or possibly you get written a citation.”
What to know about NC registration renewals
Before renewing your registration, your vehicle must have a safety or emissions inspection no more than 90 days before its license plate expires.
The NC DMV does mail out renewal notices about 60 days before a driver’s vehicle’s registration expires with information about registration renewal fees and vehicle property taxes due, but it is not required to renew registration.
Renewals can be made online at payments.ncdot.gov, by mail or at an NCDMV license plate agency — with your license plate number and insurance information. If you’re renewing online, you’ll also need the five digits of the vehicle identification number.
You can find more information about registration renewals in North Carolina online at ncdot.gov.
This story was originally published June 4, 2024 at 7:00 AM with the headline "Is it OK to drive in NC with expired car registration tags? Here’s what the law says."
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