In the United States, driving with expired car registration tags is illegal. In some states, you will receive a fine for expired registration tags even if you are not currently driving your car. Of course, it is your responsibility to pay your tags on time to avoid being pulled over and paying a fine.
How Long Are Tags Good for After They Expire?
Fortunately, most DMVs are kind. They will give you a grace period. Your tags are valid through the month they expire. And, if you moved states recently, then you typically have 30 days to renew your registration.
Renewing your registration can be expensive. If you really want to save a bit of money to pay for your new tags, one place to start is with your car insurance. You can download an app to comparison shop for car insurance policies and discover the best rate possible. One of the apps you can download is the Jerry app. For your information, Jerry is a licensed insurance broker that will gather quotes from over 50 top-rated insurers in minutes. After you discover a great rate, Jerry will help you buy new insurance and cancel your old policy. The users will save an average of $887 per year.
How Long Can I Drive with Expired Tags?
According to research, there is no amount of time you can drive with expired tags. Automatically, it is an offense, although police officers can decide not to issue you a ticket if you promise to get your tags renewed. In some cases, you may only get a warning or a small fine. However, after six months, your car may be impounded. Frequently, the cost to get your car back after this is more than the cost of registration. So, you should renew your tags within that time frame.
How Long Do Car Tags Last?
Generally, car tags last one full year from the date of issue. The expiration date can differ depending on the state in which the vehicle is registered.
You will be able to find your car tag’s expiration date the following methods:
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Your Windshield or License Plate
States like Texas need the tag expiration date to be posted on the windshield of the car. Other states need drivers to adhere a sticker to the car’s license plate. So, to find your car tag’s expiration date, check these places first.
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Your Registration Papers
Your registration papers must have your car tag expiration date listed on them. These registration papers should be stored in your glove compartment or your personal files.
Can I Get Pulled Over for Expired Tags?
Yes, you can get pulled over for expired registration tags on your car or motorcycle. This is considered a violation and will carry fines.
If the police notice you driving with expired tags, then they will pull you over and give you a fine. However, if you are not driving, they can also fine you if they notice your expired tags in a parking lot or on the street.
Keep in mind that your registration tags go on your license plate. So, do not leave them in your wallet, or you risk getting pulled over and getting a fine. We highly suggest you to leave a note in your calendar to check your car registration every year, mainly if your state does not give automated renewal through its vehicle department.
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