By Natalie Moritz | Legally reviewed by Melissa Bender, Esq. | Last reviewed January 11, 2024
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One of the most important aspects of owning a car is registering it with your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). If the police pull you over and you don't have valid vehicle registration, they can cite you for a traffic offense. Driving without registration is a non-moving violation that carries steep fines and other penalties.
Before you hit the open road, you should understand your state's registration requirements for legally operating a motor vehicle. Each state decides its motor vehicle registration laws. For this reason, the rules for when and how to register vehicles vary from state to state.
Below, you'll find a list of vehicle registration laws for each state. You'll also find helpful links to frequently asked questions, information, and resources for vehicle registration.
The linked materials will help you learn about:
Driving an unregistered vehicle typically falls under the category of administrative offenses, or infractions. Infractions are non-criminal offenses that don't carry jail time or go on your criminal record.
The offense classification can vary depending on the jurisdiction and occurrence of the offense. Use the table below to check the specifics for your state.
Consequences for driving without valid vehicle registration typically include:
Most auto insurance companies increase premiums as a result of driving without valid registration violations.
The penalties above pertain to driving without registration—not driving without proof of registration. If your vehicle is registered but you don't have proof of registration on you, law enforcement can still cite you. But this is a less severe offense that carries milder penalties.
Always keep your proof of registration in your vehicle or on you when driving. Display your current registration stickers on your license plates.
Driving with an expired registration is also a separate offense. This occurs if you have registered your vehicle but fail to renew your registration within the specified time frame.
Use the list of laws and resources below for all 50 states (and the District of Columbia) to stay informed and comply with registration requirements.
Alabama |
Staggered registration (AL Code 32-6-61) Rear tags required (AL Code 32-6-51) Vehicle registration info and resources: Alabama Department of Revenue |
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|---|---|---|
Alaska |
Vehicles subject to registration (AK Statutes 28.10.011) Vehicle registration info and resources: Alaska Department of Administration Division of Motor Vehicles |
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Arizona |
Registration; violation; classification; exceptions (ARS 28-2531) Registration; violation; civil penalties (ARS 28-2532) Vehicle registration info and resources: Arizona Department of Transportation |
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Arkansas |
Registration requirements -- Exception (AR Code 27-14-701) Vehicle registration info and resources: Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration |
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California |
Division 3 - Registration of Vehicles and Certificates of Title (California Vehicle Code) Vehicle registration info and resources: California Department of Motor Vehicles |
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Colorado |
Registration required - exemptions (CRS 42-3-103) Vehicle registration info and resources: Colorado Department of Revenue's Division of Motor Vehicles |
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Connecticut |
Motor vehicle registration (GSC section 14-12) Vehicle registration info and resources: State of Connecticut official website |
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Delaware |
Operation of unregistered vehicle (DE Code Title 21, section 2101) Vehicle registration info and resources: Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles |
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District of Columbia |
Registration; unlawful acts; penalty (DC Code section 50-1501.04) Vehicle registration info and resources: District of Columbia Department of Motor Vehicles |
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Florida |
Expiration of registration (FS 320.07) Vehicle registration info and resources: Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles |
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Georgia |
Valid registration required (Georgia Code 40-6-15) Vehicle registration info and resources: Georgia Department of Revenue |
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Hawaii |
Registration of vehicles (HRS section 286-41) Hawaii doesn't have a statewide Department of Motor Vehicles. Instead, each county handles vehicle registration separately. Vehicle registration info and resources: |
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Idaho |
Violations of registration provisions (ID Statutes section 49-456) Penalties for failure to pay operating fees (ID Statutes section 49-434A) Vehicle registration info and resources: Idaho Transportation Department [PDF] |
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Illinois |
Effect of provisions (625 ILCS 5/3-401) Vehicles subject to registration; exceptions (625 ILCS 5/3-402) Registration (625 ILCS 5/3-801) Vehicle registration info and resources: Illinois Secretary of State |
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Indiana |
Motor Vehicle Registration (Indiana Motor Vehicle Code Ch. 9, Article 18) Vehicle registration info and resources: Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles |
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Iowa |
Misdemeanor to violate registration provisions (IA Code section 321.17) Operation without registration (IA Code section 321.98) Vehicle registration info and resources: Iowa Treasurers |
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Kansas |
Registration of vehicles operated in this state (KS Statute 8-127) Vehicle registration info and resources: Kansas Department of Revenue |
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Kentucky |
Registration requirement (KRS 186.020) Vehicle registration info and resources: Drive KY |
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Louisiana |
Vehicle license required (LRS 32:51) Owner to secure registration (LRS 47:501) Vehicle registration info and resources: Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles |
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Maine |
Registration required (MRS Title 29-A section 351) Vehicle registration info and resources: Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles |
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Maryland |
Registration of vehicles (MD Transp. Code section 13-401) Vehicles subject to registration; exceptions (MD Transp. Code section 13-402) Vehicle registration info and resources: Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration |
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Massachusetts |
Operation of unregistered or improperly equipped motor vehicles (90 MGL section 9) Vehicle registration info and resources: State of Massachusetts |
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Michigan |
Offenses against registration (MI Vehicle Code section 257.255 to 257.259) Vehicle registration info and resources: Michigan Department of State |
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Minnesota |
Registration required (MN Statute 168.09) Vehicle registration info and resources: Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services |
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Mississippi |
Motor Vehicle Titles (MS Code Title 63, Ch. 21) Vehicle registration info and resources: Mississippi Department of Revenue |
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Missouri |
Application for registration of motor vehicles, -- penalty for failure to comply (MRS 301.020) Vehicle registration info and resources: Missouri Department of Revenue |
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Montana |
Registration required (MCA section 61-3-301) Vehicle registration info and guidance: Montana Department of Justice Motor Vehicle Division |
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Nebraska |
Registration required (R.R.S. Nebr. 60-362) Vehicle registration info and resources: Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles |
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Nevada |
Registration required for certain vehicles (NRS 482.205) Periods of registration for vehicles; exceptions (NRS 482.206) Vehicle registration info and resources: Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles |
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New Hampshire |
Certificates of title and registration of vehicles (NH Statutes Ch. 261) Vehicle registration info and resources: New Hampshire Department of Safety, Division of Motor Vehicles |
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New Jersey |
Registration of automobiles and motorcycles (NJ Statutes 39:3-4) Vehicle registration info and resources: New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission |
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New Mexico |
Vehicles subject to registration (NMS 66-3-1) Vehicle registration info and resources: New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division |
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New York |
Registration of motor vehicles (NY Vehicle & Traffic Code section 401) Vehicle registration info and resources: New York Department of Motor Vehicles |
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North Carolina |
Owner to secure registration and certificate of title (NCGS section 20-50) Vehicle registration info and resources: North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles |
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North Dakota |
Violations of registration provisions (ND Code Chapter 39-04-37) Vehicle registration info and resources: North Dakota Department of Transportation |
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Ohio |
Vehicle Registration (ORC Chapter 4501: 1-7) Vehicle registration info and resources: Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles |
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Oklahoma |
Registration [PDF] (OK Statutes Title 47 scroll to 47-1-153) Vehicle registration info and guidance: Service Oklahoma |
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Oregon |
Vehicle Title and Registration (OR Vehicle Code 803.300 to 803.325 ) Vehicle registration info and resources: Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles |
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Pennsylvania |
Registration of Vehicles: Violations and Suspensions (PA Vehicle Code, Ch. 13) Vehicle registration info and resources: Pennsylvania Department of Transportation |
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Rhode Island |
Operation of motor vehicles without evidences of registration (RI Code Ch. 31-8-1) Operation of unregistered vehicles (RI Code 31-3-1) Vehicle registration info and resources: Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles |
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South Carolina |
Vehicles required to be registered (SC Code section 56-3-110) Vehicle registration info and resources: South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles |
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South Dakota |
Operation of vehicle while registration is suspended (SD Laws section 32-5-101) Application for registration (SD Laws section 32-5-2) Vehicle registration info and resources: South Dakota Department of Revenue |
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Tennessee |
Registration required before operation (TN Code section 55-4-101) Vehicle registration info and resources: Tennessee Department of Revenue |
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Texas |
Registration Required; General Rule (TX Transportation Code, Section 502.040) Registration Period (TX Transportation Code, Section 502.044) Title Required for Registration (TX Transportation Code, Section 502.042) Vehicle registration info and resources: Texas Department of Motor Vehicles |
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Utah |
Registration card to be exhibited (UT Code 41-1a-214) Operating motor vehicle without license or registration (UT Code 41-12a-603) Vehicle registration info and resources: Utah Division of Motor Vehicles |
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Vermont |
Persons required to register (23 VSA section 301) Vehicle registration info and resources: Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles |
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Virginia |
Owner to secure registration (VA Code 46.2-600) Vehicle registration info and resources: Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles |
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Washington |
Certificates required to operate and sell vehicles (RCW section 46.12.520) Registration required; penalties (RCW section 46-16A-030) Vehicle registration info and resources: Washington State Department of Licensing |
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West Virginia |
Registration; misdemeanor to violate provisions of article (WV Code section 17A-3-1) Vehicle registration info and resources: West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles |
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Wisconsin |
Penalty for operating unregistered or improperly registered vehicle (WI Code Chapter 341 section 341.04) Vehicle registration info and resources: Wisconsin Department of Transportation |
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Wyoming |
Registration required; timelines (WY Statutes Title 31-2-201) Vehicle registration info and resources: Wyoming Department of Transportation |
If a police officer has cited you for driving without valid vehicle registration or you simply need some guidance about the laws in your state, you can consult an attorney. An experienced traffic ticket attorney can review your traffic citation, explain the laws, and advise you on the next steps.
FindLaw's Traffic Laws section provides additional resources. Use this section for information on traffic stops, traffic tickets, and how citations affect your driving record and driving privileges.
Contact a qualified traffic ticket attorney to help you get the best result possible.
Get tailored legal advice and ask a lawyer questions. Many traffic ticket attorneys offer free consultations.