Driving with Expired Registration Tags in North Carolina
In North Carolina, drivers must renew their vehicle registration annually. If you miss the renewal deadline, you might wonder if you can still drive with expired tags for a short period.
Legal Requirements
State law prohibits driving or knowingly allowing a vehicle with expired registration on highways. Displaying expired tags is also illegal.
Grace Period and Penalties
- Grace Period: You can legally drive up to 15 days after your registration expires.
- Late Fees: After the grace period, a late fee of up to $25 is charged on all renewals.
- Misdemeanor: Driving with expired registration is a Class 3 misdemeanor.
Vehicle registration renewal late fees for drivers in North Carolina.Photo byscreenshot
Enforcement
- Trooper Check: Troopers may stop you to check your tags. Depending on the situation, you might receive a verbal or written warning, or a citation.
Renewal Process
- Inspection: Your vehicle must pass a safety or emissions inspection within 90 days before the expiration date.
- Renewal Notice: The NC DMV sends renewal notices about 60 days before expiration, but it’s not mandatory for renewal.
- Renewal Options: Renew online at payments.ncdot.gov, by mail, or at an NCDMV license plate agency. You’ll need your license plate number, insurance information, and possibly the vehicle identification number (VIN).