Is it legal to drive with expired car registration tags? Here’s what Pennsylvania law says
Managing your vehicle can come with many chores, including annual inspections, occasional repairs and plenty of paperwork. But what happens if you put off renewing your registration and drive around with expired tags?
The Pennsylvania Vehicle Code says driving or moving any unregistered vehicle in the commonwealth is unlawful, though some vehicles are exempt from registration. Violations of the law can prompt stiff fees and penalties for drivers.
Here’s what you need to know about expired car registration tags in Pennsylvania.
Can I drive with an expired car registration in Pennsylvania?
No. Pennsylvania’s law concerning vehicle registration strictly states it is unlawful to knowingly drive or move vehicles that are not properly registered or have had their registration expire.
“No person shall drive or move and no owner or motor carrier shall knowingly permit to be driven or moved upon any highway any vehicle which is not registered in this Commonwealth unless the vehicle is exempt from registration,” Pennsylvania’s law reads.
The commonwealth defines a “highway” as any publicly maintained road that is “open to the use of the public” for vehicular travel.
Changes to Pennsylvania law effective in 2017 removed a requirement to place registration stickers on Pennsylvania license plates. However, Pennsylvania drivers are still required to maintain their vehicle registration and keep it handy in case law enforcement officials request it. The elimination of these stickers is expected to save taxpayers $1.1 million each year, plus an estimated $2 million in mailing costs, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.
Motorists who are not Pennsylvania residents can drive through the commonwealth without registering their vehicles there. Additionally, some vehicles — including mobile homes and those moved solely by human or animal power — are exempt from registration requirements entirely.
Vehicles may be lawfully operated with a temporary registration permit. This type of registration could be useful for a non-Pennsylvania resident purchasing a car with a Pennsylvania title, for example.
What are the penalties for driving with expired tags?
According to Pennsylvania law, any commonwealth resident found driving an unregistered vehicle is guilty of a summary offense and, if convicted, must pay a $75 fine or double the registration fee — whichever is greater. If the vehicle was previously registered in Pennsylvania and had its registration expire within 60 days of an offense, that fine is reduced to $25. That same scenario would produce a $50 fine for any motor carrier vehicle other than a trailer, the law says.
Law enforcement officials can recommend towing for vehicles that are not registered or had their registration expire or suspended, according to Pennsylvania law. Owners can later retrieve their vehicle by restoring its registration, paying off any outstanding fees or penalties and paying any potential fines for the towing and vehicle storage.
You can find a full list of Pennsylvania Department of Transportation fees and services by visiting dmv.pa.gov/information-centers/payment/pages/payments-and-fees-page.aspx. You might incur additional fees by delaying any required payments.
Does Pennsylvania offer a grace period for expired registration?
No. Unlike some states, the commonwealth does not offer a specific grace period for renewing expired vehicle registrations. Once your vehicle’s registration is up, you are technically violating the vehicle code.
In Pennsylvania, you can renew your registration annually or choose a relatively new option to renew for two years. You can renew your registration online using a few key documents, including your registration plate number, your title number, your insurance information, your odometer reading and valid credit information.
