Expired Registration in Virginia

All Virginia residents who own or lease motor vehicles must maintain a valid registration to operate these vehicles on public highways. Vehicle registration in Virginia is governed by state law and administered by the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Meanwhile, the Virginia State Police and local law enforcement agencies ensure registration compliance throughout the state.

State Code Provisions in Virginia

Virginia executes its vehicle registration framework as established in Title 46.2, Chapter 6 of the Code of Virginia, which governs titling and registration procedures, certificate and license plate issuance, display requirements, penalties for violations, and enforcement authority.

Registration Terms and Expiration in Virginia

Registration Renewal System

Virginia operates a staggered registration system under which motor vehicles are registered for a 12-month period, as established by Virginia Code § 46.2-646(A). Every registration expires on the last day of the twelfth month next succeeding the date of registration. Renewal takes effect on the first day of the month succeeding the date of expiration.

Example: If a vehicle is initially registered on June 15, the registration expires one year after at midnight on June 30 (the last day of the twelfth month following registration). The renewal period begins on July 1.

Grace Period for Expired Registration

Virginia does not provide a standard grace period for vehicle registration renewal. Once a registration expires, it is considered invalid. Vehicle owners must renew registration before the expiration date to maintain continuous validity.

However, Virginia Code § 46.2-646(E) establishes a three-month enforcement protection period. Law enforcement officers are prohibited from stopping a motor vehicle solely due to an expired registration sticker prior to the first day of the fourth month after the original expiration date. Any evidence obtained from such a stop is inadmissible in court.

Critical Distinction: This enforcement limitation does not constitute a grace period. The registration remains legally expired from the expiration date, administrative late fees apply immediately upon expiration, and vehicle owners can still be cited for expired registration if stopped for another traffic violation during this three-month window. The statute only prevents a traffic stop based exclusively on the expired registration sticker during the three-month period.

Emergency Extensions

Under exceptional circumstances, the DMV Commissioner may authorize temporary extensions:

• Registration validity extensions up to 90 days when the Department cannot process renewals due to circumstances beyond its control, with authorization from the Governor (Virginia Code § 46.2-646(A)
• Temporary grace periods postponing expiration until the 15th of the following month when the Department faces overwhelming demand or registrants experience substantial inconvenience (Virginia Code § 46.2-647)

These emergency provisions require specific declarations by the DMV Commissioner and do not constitute standard grace periods.

Special Vehicle Categories

Virginia provides specialized registration for certain vehicle types:

• Commercial Vehicles: Commercial motor vehicles follow specific registration and fee schedules
• International Registration Plan (IRP) Vehicles: Interstate commercial vehicles registered under IRP follow separate renewal procedures
• State-Owned Vehicles: Government-owned vehicles receive specialized registration treatment

Penalties for Expired Registration in Virginia

Virginia imposes both administrative late fees for late renewal and traffic penalties for operating vehicles with expired registration.

Administrative Penalties

Late Renewal Fee: Virginia DMV assesses a $10.00 administrative late fee when vehicle registration is renewed after the expiration date. This fee applies regardless of whether registration is renewed one day or several months after expiration, provided renewal occurs within 90 days. According to Virginia DMV policy, the $10 late fee is charged automatically when owners renew online up to 90 days past the registration's expiration date.

Traffic Violations

Operating a motor vehicle with expired registration on Virginia's public roads constitutes a traffic infraction under state law.

Operating With Expired Registration:

Note: While Virginia law prohibits law enforcement stops during the three-month period, this does not eliminate the DMV's authority to charge the $10 late fee or the vehicle owner's obligation to renew registration promptly.

Government Agencies Contact Information

Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles
2300 West Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23269
Phone: (804) 497-7100
Official Website: Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles

Virginia State Police
7700 Midlothian Turnpike
North Chesterfield, VA 23235
Phone: (804) 674-2000
TTY: 711
Official Website: Virginia State Police