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Last updated July 20, 2021 Every vehicle in New York State must be registered with the DMV before it can be legally driven. Failure to renew one’s registration is a non-moving violation, even if the driver is pulled over and caught driving the vehicle. However, if for any reason a vehicle registration is suspended or revoked by the DMV, driving the vehicle becomes a crime with serious penalties. What Are the Penalties for Driving with a Suspended or Revoked Registration in NY?Criminal record: Driving on a suspended registration is a misdemeanor offense in New York. Those who are convicted under VTL 512 will have a permanent criminal record. Jail time: A first offense of driving on a suspended registration can result in a sentence of up to 30 days in jail. A second offense within 18 months can lead to up to 90 days in jail or 180 days for a third offense. Fine: A driver can be fined between $50 and $100 for driving on a suspended registration. A second conviction in 18 months raises the fine to up to $200, or $500 for a third conviction. Surcharge: In addition to the fine, drivers must pay a mandatory state surcharge of $88 (in a city) or $93 (in a town/village). Reasons for Registration Suspension/Revocation in NYThere are two main reasons why a person’s vehicle registration would be suspended by the NYS DMV: a lapse in insurance coverage or failure to pay registration fees. The former is the most common reason. In either case, resolving the suspended registration will not be simple and may require the assistance of an attorney. Keep in mind that, if the lack of auto insurance coverage is the reason for the suspended registration, then the driver may also be guilty of driving without auto insurance. In addition, the DMV may also choose to suspend one’s driver’s license for not having insurance, which can lead to a charge of aggravated unlicensed operation. Defenses for Driving on Suspended or Revoked Registration in NYThere are two main ways to defend against a charge of VTL 512. One is to prove that the suspension was not valid (e.g. the driver never had an insurance lapse). If the facts do not support the notion that the registration suspension was erroneous and invalid, then the person must negotiate with prosecutors to reduce the charge from a misdemeanor offense to a civil/traffic offense. This can be difficult to do without the help of a skilled attorney. An attorney can deal directly with the prosecutors to discuss the facts. He/she will be able to mount a strong defense with the best chance of persuading the prosecutor to reduce the charge. If the driver’s case is strong enough, a prosecutor will negotiate to avoid taking the charges to trial, where he/she risks losing. Need help with your Suspended/Revoked Vehicle Registration?Get your FREE attorney consultation from Rosenblum Law. Quick, free, and no obligation. How to Reinstate a Suspended Registration in NYTo clear a suspended registration, a driver must first check with the DMV to figure out the reason for the suspension. Then he/she must resolve the underlying problem. For example, a driver who failed to pay the registration fee can make that payment and then pay the reinstatement fee. Will a conviction for driving on a suspended registration raise my insurance rates?Possibly. There is no data available from insurance companies on convictions for driving on a suspended registration, so it is unclear how much it will raise rates. However, insurers base their rates on how likely a driver is to get into an accident that results in a lawsuit or payout. A suspended registration has no bearing on the chances of having an accident, per se, but it is a criminal offense and evidence of careless behavior. Data on Driving on a Suspended/Revoked Registration Charges in NYIn 2018, police charged 35,084 drivers with operating a vehicle with a suspended registration. This accounts for about 1% of all traffic tickets issued in the state last year. It’s slightly above 2017’s figure of 34,700. Nassau County saw the most drivers charged with this offense in 2018: 6,725. Overall, driving on a suspended registration is the 17th most common traffic ticket issued in New York State most years. About 10,000 more tickets are issued for suspended registrations than for tailgating each year. Common Questions About Suspended or Revoked Registration in NY
Who Should I Contact?If you or someone you love has been charged with the criminal offense of driving on a suspended vehicle registration, contact an attorney right away to protect your rights. The attorneys at Rosenblum Law have many years’ experience fighting traffic tickets and other serious offenses in New York and New Jersey. Email or call 888-883-5529 for a free consultation about your case. Author BioAdam H. RosenblumAdam H. Rosenblum is an experienced and skilled traffic violations and criminal defense attorney. Mr. Rosenblum provides expert and aggressive representation to those facing points on their drivers’ licenses and the associated fines and surcharges. Read Full Bio Can you drive around with an expired registration?In all states in the United States, it is illegal to drive with expired car registration tags. In some states, you can receive a fine for expired registration tags even if you are not currently driving the car. It is your responsibility to pay your tags on time to avoid being pulled over and paying a fine.
How long can you ride around with expired tags?And according to most states, there is no amount of time you can drive with expired tags. It's automatically an offense, although police officers may decide not to issue you a ticket if you promise to get your tags renewed. In some cases, you may just get a warning or a small fine.
Is there a grace period for expired tags in Arkansas?Late Registration Fees
Residents of Arkansas have 30 days to register their vehicles. Once this time expires, residents of this state are subject to the following late registration fees: Late Registration: $3 for every 10 days AR residents do not complete the registration process.
Is there a grace period for expired tags in Oklahoma?You are allotted one grace month by statute in which you will not be assessed penalty on your tag renewal. Starting with the first day of the month after your grace month, penalty is assessed at the rate of $1.00 per day up to a maximum of $100.00 for 100 days of penalty.
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