What If I Fail To Register My Car Before My Court Date

Driving Without Valid Vehicle Registration

When taking to the route, at that place are certain things all drivers must have with them in society to comply with the law. Failure to follow these rules can result in both traffic citations and administrative penalties. These items, which police typically inquire for when they pull over a motorist, are:

Valid driver'due south license,
Proof of liability insurance, and
Valid vehicle registration.

Failure to keep physical copies of these documents in your car at all times can pb to a traffic citation and hefty fines. This is particularly true if you lot are driving without valid vehicle registration, although in some jurisdictions yous may receive a "fix-it" ticket (perhaps for a registration that has merely recently expired). Below you'll notice some basic data about driving without a valid vehicle registration and where to go for more information.

Driving Without Registration vs. Driving Without Proof of Registration

In every country, traffic laws make information technology unlawful to operate a motor vehicle when:

The vehicle has never been registered with the country department of motor vehicles (or motor vehicles agency) in the state where information technology is primarily used, or
The vehicle'due south in one case-valid registration has expired (i.e. required fees and filings were not submitted to the state motor vehicle department inside the registration period).

Traffic laws in most states differentiate between operating a vehicle that isn't registered, and operating a vehicle without proof that the vehicle is registered (i.e. when a driver of a properly registered vehicle fails to carry a required registration certificate, or fails to display current registration stickers).

In many states, penalties for driving a vehicle whose registration has expired will increase the longer the registration has lapsed. For instance, if the vehicle's registration expired less than six months ago, the infraction might exist considered a not-moving violation. Simply if the vehicle's registration expired more than six months ago, the offense may be considered a moving violation, which shows up as "points" on a driving record , and may lead to increased automobile insurance rates.

Used Cars and Vehicle Registration

Many people wonder if they buy a used auto, whether they can they bulldoze it without registration. The answer is it depends on the state. In Michigan, for instance, you tin can bulldoze home a newly purchased used vehicle but only if you drive the vehicle direct to the starting time place of storage (normally your home) inside 15 days of the sale. Y'all must accept the properly assigned championship with you and should check with your insurance company to be sure y'all're covered. Again, the number of days you take to annals a machine varies so yous should cheque with your state's DMV.

In most states, certain types of vehicles demand not be registered -- including "off-highway" vehicles, stored vehicles, or vehicles for which a "non-operating" has been filed with the state department of motor vehicles.

Caught Driving Without Valid Registration? Become Legal Help Today

If you're looking to fight a citation for the registration of your vehicle, you'll desire a lawyer on your side who knows the ins and outs of traffic court. In most cases y'all'll but pay a fine, obtain the necessary paperwork, and exist on your way. But sometimes, peculiarly when y'all face up the prospect of losing your license, it's worth reviewing your legal options. Speak to an experienced traffic ticket chaser today to find out what your options are for contesting a violation.