Why Choose Us?
Traffic charges may seem minor, but they can quickly lead to fines, license issues, or even arrest if handled incorrectly. Hancock Law Firm provides prompt guidance, practical solutions, and steady support to help you resolve traffic matters efficiently.
- Free, confidential case evaluations
- Local knowledge of Carteret County traffic courts
- Efficient handling of registration and compliance issues
- Direct attorney involvement and clear communication
- Proven experience defending traffic and misdemeanor charges
Call Hancock Law Firm for a free consultation.
Traffic Defense for Expired Registration in Carteret County
Driving with expired registration tags in North Carolina is more serious than many drivers realize. Even a simple oversight can result in fines, court requirements, license complications, or additional charges following a traffic stop. Joel Hancock of Hancock Law Firm represents drivers throughout Carteret County who are facing tickets or charges for expired registration and related traffic offenses.
NCGS 20-111(a) – Driving a Vehicle with an Expired Registration
According to NCGS 20-111(a), driving a vehicle without displaying a current registration is considered a Class 3 misdemeanor. Specifically, drivers cannot drive a vehicle on a highway or knowingly permit a vehicle they own to be driven on the highway when it hasn’t been registered with the North Carolina DMV. Drivers must properly display current registration tags on their driver’s license plates.
Additionally, drivers cannot display title or registration number plates they know to be fake or that have been revoked, canceled, suspended, or altered. Drivers cannot display an expired license plate, knowing it to be expired. Using a false name or address in your driver’s license application for registration or knowingly making false or fraudulent statements in an application is considered a Class 1 misdemeanor.
The Penalties for Driving with an Expired Registration in North Carolina
Most of the time, if you’re pulled over for driving with expired tags, you’ll receive a warning from the police officer and a traffic ticket. Police officers frequently see drivers with recently expired tags, and if that’s the case, you may drive away with only a verbal warning and no ticket. However, legally, police officers can issue a traffic ticket if your tags are expired, even if they’ve only been expired for a day.
The ticket will usually be more serious if your tags have been out of date for longer. Police officers have significant discretion and can choose to write a citation and impound a vehicle or have the vehicle towed if the registration has expired for over six months.
As the vehicle’s owner, you won’t be able to regain possession of it until you renew the registration and completely pay off any fines that have been issued. If you’ve been pulled over for expired tags two or more times within six months, you could face even more severe penalties, such as jail time. Receiving jail time for expired tags is unusual, but it can happen.
Are there late fees for renewing expired registration?
There is no grace period for renewing vehicle registration in North Carolina. Late fees apply as follows:
- Expired less than one month, $15
- Expired one to two months, $20
- Expired two months or more, $25
Even if you renew promptly after being stopped, late fees still apply.
Do I have to go to court for an expired registration ticket?
Many expired registration cases can now be handled without a court appearance through the Electronic Compliance and Dismissal procedure. This process allows eligible drivers to request dismissal by showing proof that the registration has been renewed and required fees paid.
Contact a Skilled Defense Attorney in North Carolina
If you’ve received a traffic ticket for driving with expired tags in North Carolina, you’ll benefit from speaking to an experienced defense attorney. Attorney Joel Hancock can handle your traffic ticket. He has extensive experience defending clients in a wide range of traffic-related crimes, from traffic tickets to DWIs and drug charges. Don’t hesitate to contact Hancock Law Firm today to schedule a complimentary, no-obligation case evaluation with a skilled attorney.