Expired Registration in Vermont
Vehicle registration is mandatory in Vermont as governed by state laws administered by the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). All Vermont residents who own or lease motor vehicles must maintain current registration to operate these vehicles on the state's roads and highways. The Vermont State Police, operating under the Vermont Department of Public Safety, enforces registration compliance throughout the state.
State Code Provisions in Vermont
Vermont's vehicle registration framework is established in Title 23, Chapter 7 of Vermont Statutes Annotated, which governs registration procedures, certificate and plate issuance, display requirements, penalties for violations, and enforcement authority.
Registration Terms and Expiration in Vermont
Registration Renewal System
Vermont operates an annual registration system under which motor vehicles are registered for 12 months from the date of issue, as established by 23 V.S.A. § 302. Registration certificates and number plates become void one year from the first day of the month following the month of original issuance, pursuant to 23 V.S.A. § 305(a).
Example: If a vehicle receives initial registration on March 15, the registration expires at midnight on April 1 the following year (one year from the first day of the month following March).
Vermont does not have a grace period for renewing an expired vehicle registration. Once registration expires, motor vehicles may not be legally operated on public roads until registration is renewed.
Penalties for Expired Registration in Vermont
Vermont imposes civil penalties for operating motor vehicles with expired registration while assessing no administrative late fees for the act of renewing expired registration itself.
Administrative Penalties
Vermont does not assess administrative late fees for renewing expired registration. Vehicle owners who renew registration pay only the standard registration fee without additional penalties or surcharges. This policy applies to renewals completed within three years of expiration, as permitted by Vermont DMV procedures.
Traffic Violations
Operating a motor vehicle with expired registration on Vermont's public roads constitutes a civil violation under state law, with penalty amounts varying based on the duration of expiration.
| Action | Administrative Fee | Civil Violation Penalty |
|---|---|---|
| Renewing registration (any duration up to 3 years expired) | $0 – No late fee assessed | Not applicable |
| Operating with registration expired 1-14 days | Not applicable | Up to $5.00 |
| Operating with registration expired beyond 14 days | Not applicable | $70.00 (waiver penalty) |
Government Agencies
Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles
120 State Street
Montpelier, VT 05603-0001
Phone: (802) 828-2000
Official Website: Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles
Vermont State Police
45 State Drive
Waterbury, VT 05671-1300
Phone: (802) 244-8727
Official Website: Vermont State Police
