How Long Do Car Tags Last?

Car tags typically last for a year from the date of issue, but this date may differ depending on the state of registration of your vehicle. In a few cases, your car tags might also be valid for two years. Are you planning to visit the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to get answers? Well, we can save you the trip. Let’s discuss car tags in-depth to save you the hassle. 

What Are Car Tags, And Why Do Cars Need Them?

Car tags are proof of registration and come in the form of stickers on the license plates when you renew the vehicle’s registration. The tag sticker displays the digits of the year the registration is valid. For example, if your car tag is valid for 2022, it will show figure ‘22’. 

Car tags are a legal requirement, like your registration and insurance cards. The tags should be with you or permanently affixed to the vehicle. They should be on display at all times to help law enforcement assess and verify the vehicle’s registration status and are also mandatory when trying to sell your vehicle. 

The Difference Between License Plates And Car Tags

Car tags and license plates are different: vehicle license plates are state-specific, and the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) assigns them initially. If you buy a second-hand car, the license plate will be from the state where the vehicle was registered. Suppose you plan to register your vehicle in a different state. In that case, you must surrender the current license plates to the DMV and affix the new ones specific to the state where you register your vehicle after the purchase. 

The vehicle’s license plate stays with your car for years till you re-register your car in a different state. However, you need to renew the car tags every year. Once restored, display the car tags at an appropriate location, typically on the corner of your license plate or the windshield. 

How Can You Find Out Your Car’s Registration Date?

You can check the license plates or the windshield for the car’s registration date. Some states, like Texas, require you to display the expiration date of your tags on the windshield of the vehicle, while other states need you to paste the stickers to the car’s license plate. If you want to find the expiration of the registration of a vehicle, check the license plate and the windshield first. 

The second way to find out the expiration date of your car tags is through your registration papers. Your registration papers have the expiration date on them. They should be in your glovebox or your files. 

The third way is to check the Department of Motor Vehicles website. You can check the government website because it will have the suffix ‘.gov’ at the end. Once you are sure that you have opened the correct website, you just need to input your license plate to find out when the vehicle’s registration expires. 

You can also call the DMV and check the expiration date of your vehicle’s registration if you are worried about sharing personal information online. 

Alternatively, keeping a check on your mailbox is also a good idea. The DMV sends a notice almost a month before your vehicle’s registration renewal is due. This document will also have your current date of expiration. 

What To Do When Your Car Tags Expire?

You can renew your car tags by emailing the DMV or visiting a DMV office or a licensed DMV center. But, generally, you have options:

• You can send the renewal payment directly to the DMV. The intimation letter you get to renew your registration from the DMV comes with a return envelope with which you can enclose and send your payment for the renewal. 
• You can visit your local DMV and finish the task in person. However, note that you might have to wait in long queues, and the wait time can be enormous, and it is better to renew using any other method.
• You can take the help of insurance companies like AAA, which offer in-house DMV services for their members.
• States like California even offer DMV kiosks at various public places where you can go and renew your tags almost instantly. 

Summary

The fines and penalties vary depending on the proximity to the expiration date of the vehicle’s registration and the officer’s discretion. Car tags are valid for a year in most cases but depending on the state you reside in, your car tags might have a validity of two years. Please take care to renew your car tags before the expiration because law enforcement can pull you over for expired car tags. 

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