What happens if I drive my car with a suspended registration?
If you're caught driving a car with a suspended registration or no registration at all, you could be in serious trouble. You could face fines or even jail time.
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Tracey L. Wells
Licensed Insurance Agent & Agency Owner
Tracey L. Wells is a licensed insurance agent and Farmers insurance agency owner with 23 years of experience. He is proud to be a local Farmers agent serving Grayson, Georgia and surrounding areas. With experience as both an underwriter and agent, he provides his customers with insight that others agents may not have. His agency offers all lines of insurance including home, life, auto, RV, busi...
Licensed Insurance Agent & Agency Owner
UPDATED: Nov 24, 2024
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Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.
UPDATED: Nov 24, 2024
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident car insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one car insurance company and cannot guarantee quotes from any single company.
Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from top car companies please enter your ZIP code above to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
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In the United States, driving is a privilege that comes with a lot of responsibility. Like it or not, one of these responsibilities is making sure your vehicles are properly registered and insured at all times.
If you’re caught driving on suspended registration, or no registration at all, you could be in for some serious trouble depending on your circumstances.
The severity of the penalty for driving with a suspended registration will depend on why your registration was suspended and what you were doing when you were pulled over.
Because vehicle registrations can be so vastly different from one state to the next, it’s nearly impossible to say exactly what happens if you drive on a suspended registration.
What we can say is that states consider this more serious than most drivers do. There are fines in place, as well as other appropriate penalties where applicable.
Obviously, you must get caught first, but you should never drive with a suspended registration to begin with.
Before you even register your car, be sure to shop for car insurance rates online by entering your ZIP code in the box below.
- The cause of the suspended registration affects what penalties are assigned
- If you bounced a check to your DMV, a suspended registration is easy to reverse
- If your car registration is suspended due to no insurance, you could face serious fines
What if my registration was suspended for no insurance?
In most states, driving with suspended registration is the most serious violation of motor vehicle traffic law where registration is concerned. Automobile insurance laws are very strict in order to protect other drivers on the road.
Therefore, if your registration has been suspended for insurance lapse, you are considered an extremely high risk to other drivers.
If you’re caught driving under this scenario, you will most likely face a minimum one-year suspension of your driver’s license, plus other penalties and fines.
Furthermore, you’ll need to procure insurance and provide proof to the DMV before it will remove the suspension from your registration.
You may be required to wait a specific amount of time from the date of insurance before your registration will be returned to normal status.
Furthermore, you may also have points added to your license as a penalty for driving with a suspended registration.
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Can the DMV suspend your license for a bad check?
Bouncing a check is not generally considered a crime unless the offender does so knowingly.
Therefore, as long as a bad check written to the DMV was a legitimate accident, you should be able to lift the car registration suspension simply by making good on the check.
You can do so by going down to your DMV with cash or a money order. With today’s computerized records system, you should once again be good to go before you even leave the DMV.
Be aware that many states will require you to pay future fees using cash or money orders because of a bad check. Sometimes this restriction can be as short as one year, while in other states it may last several years.
Regardless, as long as you make good on the money you owe, you should have no problem reestablishing your registration.
If you fail to do so, and you get caught driving with a suspended registration, you will most likely be fined and have points added to your license.
How does a suspended registration affect insurance?
The good news is that being caught with a suspended registration is not considered a serious violation by insurance companies. The bad news lies in the fact that it is still a violation, nonetheless.
Depending on the reasons why your registration was suspended, your insurance company will adjust your rates accordingly.
For example, if your registration was suspended due to a DWI/DUI, your insurance rates will already be higher. Throw in a suspended registration and they will be raised again.
If your suspended registration is simply a matter of a bad check, the increase in your insurance rates will be minimal.
Fortunately, regardless of the reason for your suspended registration, your insurance rates will once again go down if you maintain a clean record from that point forward. Expect:
- One to two years for minor infractions
- Five to seven years for major ones
Read more: Will an expired vehicle inspection citation increase my car insurance rates?
Can you still drive a car with a suspended registration?
The simple answer to that question is yes, you can drive a car without registration. But the caveat is that you cannot drive the car for which the registration has been suspended. In other words, you can not drive your own car without a valid registration document. But there is nothing to stop you from driving your spouse’s car during the suspension term.
In most cases, you’ll probably be eligible to rent a car temporarily if your friends and family don’t have a car you can borrow.
Insurance companies make car insurance quotes available online; simply enter your ZIP code right now to see them.
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Case Studies: Driving With a Suspended Registration
Case Study 1: Registration Suspended Due to Lack of Insurance
In most states, driving with a suspended registration due to lack of insurance is considered a severe violation of motor vehicle traffic law. Being uninsured makes you a high risk to other drivers. If caught driving under this scenario, you may face a minimum one-year suspension of your driver’s license, along with other penalties and fines. (For more information, read our “What if an uninsured friend wrecks my car? (Three Types of Borrowers)“).
To lift the suspension, you’ll need to obtain insurance and provide proof to the DMV. Additionally, you may have points added to your license as a penalty.
Case Study 2: Registration Suspended for a Bad Check
Bouncing a check written to the DMV is generally not considered a crime if it was an accident. To lift the suspension resulting from a bad check, you can rectify the situation by paying the owed amount in cash or with a money order at the DMV.
With today’s computerized records system, your registration should be reinstated immediately. However, some states may require future fees to be paid using cash or money orders for a certain period. Failure to resolve the issue may result in fines and points added to your license.
Case Study 3: Impact on Car Insurance
While having a suspended registration is not considered a serious violation by insurance companies, it can still affect your rates. The extent of the impact depends on the reasons for the suspension. For example, if your registration was suspended due to a DWI/DUI, your insurance rates will already be higher.
Adding a suspended registration on top of that can lead to further rate increases. If the suspension was due to a bad check, the impact on your insurance rates will likely be minimal. However, maintaining a clean record from that point forward can help lower your insurance rates again
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the penalty for driving with a suspended registration?
Driving with a suspended registration can result in fines or even jail time, depending on the circumstances.
What happens when your registration is suspended due to lack of insurance?
If your registration was suspended for lack of insurance, you may face a minimum one-year suspension of your driver’s license, along with other penalties and fines. You will need to obtain insurance and provide proof to the DMV to lift the suspension.
How does having a suspended registration affect my car insurance?
While being caught with a suspended registration is not considered a serious violation by insurance companies, it can still impact your rates. The reasons for the suspension will determine how much your insurance rates will be affected.
Can I still drive with a suspended registration?
You can still drive, but not the car with the suspended registration. Driving your own car without a valid registration is not allowed. However, you may be able to drive someone else’s car or rent a vehicle temporarily.
Can you register a car with a suspended license?
You cannot register a car with suspended license as most states require you to have a valid driver’s license. However, this can vary by state, and some may allow registration under specific circumstances.
How do I know if my registration is suspended?
Many DMV websites allow you to check your registration status online by entering your vehicle’s information. You can also visit your local DMV office and inquire about your registration status.
If my registration is suspended, can I register another car?
Generally, if your registration is suspended, you may face difficulties registering another car until the suspension is resolved.
Can you drive with suspended registration?
No, driving with a suspended registration is illegal. If you are caught driving a vehicle with a suspended registration, you can face fines, penalties, and possible impoundment of your vehicle.
Does suspended registration go on your record?
Yes, a suspended registration can go on your driving record. This can have various implications, such as affecting your insurance rates and being noted on your motor vehicle record.
Can you get arrested for driving with a suspended registration?
While penalties vary by state, driving with a suspended registration can lead to fines, vehicle impoundment, and in some cases, arrest.
How much is a ticket for suspended registration?
The cost of a ticket for suspended registration varies by state and can range from $100 to $500 or more.
How does your registration get suspended?
Your vehicle registration can be suspended for several reasons, including:
- Failure to Pay Insurance
- Unpaid Traffic Tickets
- Emissions Violations
- Failure to Pay Registration Fees
- Insurance Fraud
If your registration is suspended, is your license suspended?
Having a suspended registration does not automatically mean your driver’s license is suspended. However, if you continue to drive with a suspended registration and are caught, it could lead to further penalties, including a potential license suspension.
Can you register a vehicle with a suspended license?
Typically, you cannot register a vehicle with a suspended license. Most states require a valid driver’s license to complete the registration process.
Can you get pulled over for a suspended registration?
Yes, you can get pulled over for having a suspended registration. Law enforcement officers can check the status of your registration through their systems, and if they see that it is suspended, they can pull you over and issue a citation.
If my license is suspended, are my plates suspended?
Suspension of your driver’s license does not typically result in the suspension of your vehicle’s registration or plates.
Can you go to jail for suspended registration?
Yes, you can go to jail for driving with a suspended registration, especially if it is a repeat offense or if you are caught in conjunction with other violations.
If my registration is suspended, can I register in another state?
States often share information through national databases, and the new state may discover the suspension, which can prevent you from registering your vehicle.
Can police tell if your registration is suspended?
Yes, police can tell if your registration is suspended. Law enforcement officers have access to databases that provide information about your vehicle’s registration status. When they run your license plate, they can check if registration is suspended.
How long does a suspended registration last?
The duration of a suspended registration varies depending on the reason for the suspension and the laws of the state. It could last until you resolve the underlying issue. In some cases, there might be a specified suspension period, such as 30 days or 90 days, after which you can reinstate your registration.
How to clear suspended registration?
To clear a suspended registration, you need to:
- Pay Any Outstanding Fines or Fees
- Provide Proof of Insurance
- Pass Required Inspections
- Submit Required Documentation
- Pay Reinstatement Fees
What happens if you’re pulled over for suspended registration?
If you are pulled over for driving with a suspended registration, you may be issued a ticket with a fine and your vehicle might be impounded.
Can you renew registration with suspended license?
In many states, you can renew your vehicle registration even if your driver’s license is suspended.
Can you sell a car with a suspended registration?
Yes, you can sell a car with a suspended registration. The buyer will need to handle the registration process themselves, and the suspension might need to be cleared before the new registration is completed.
Can I buy a car with suspended registration?
Yes, you can buy a car with a suspended registration. However, you will need to address the suspension before you can legally drive the vehicle.
Can another state suspend your registration?
Another state typically cannot directly suspend your registration. However, states often share information through national databases. If you have violations or suspensions in one state, it can affect your ability to register or renew your vehicle registration in another state.
Can I renew my tags if my license is suspended?
In many states, you can still renew your vehicle registration (tags) even if your driver’s license is suspended. However, this can vary by state and depends on the reason for the suspension of your driver’s license.
Can your car be towed for suspended registration?
If you are caught driving with a suspended registration, law enforcement officers have the authority to tow and impound your vehicle.
Can your registration be suspended for not having insurance?
Yes, your vehicle registration can be suspended for not having valid insurance. Most states require continuous car insurance coverage as a condition for maintaining vehicle registration.
Can someone drive my car if my license is suspended?
Yes, someone else can drive your car if your license is suspended, provided they have a valid driver’s license and insurance.
Can you buy a car with a suspended license?
Yes, you can buy a car with a suspended license. However, while you can legally purchase the vehicle, you may face challenges with registering it. Most states require a valid driver’s license for registration.
Can you lease a car with a suspended license?
Leasing a car with a suspended license can be difficult. Leasing companies typically require a valid driver’s license to approve a lease agreement.
How does your license plate get suspended?
If your car insurance lapses or is canceled, the DMV can suspend your registration and license plate. Accumulating unpaid traffic tickets, tolls, or registration fees can also lead to getting your car registration suspended.
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Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap car insurance rates.
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Tracey L. Wells
Licensed Insurance Agent & Agency Owner
Tracey L. Wells is a licensed insurance agent and Farmers insurance agency owner with 23 years of experience. He is proud to be a local Farmers agent serving Grayson, Georgia and surrounding areas. With experience as both an underwriter and agent, he provides his customers with insight that others agents may not have. His agency offers all lines of insurance including home, life, auto, RV, busi...
Licensed Insurance Agent & Agency Owner
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.