How long can you legally drive with an expired registration sticker in Texas? Five days, but the charge may be dismissed if you meet the legal criteria.
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How much trouble can you actually get in when it comes to an expired registration sticker? Well, how bad you deem it to be depends on how much money you’re willing to hand over.
An expired sticker is a common sight in Texas. A June 2025 study found that U.S. drivers typically spend about four months displaying it before getting a new tag. That same report revealed that out of the roughly 17 million vehicles on American roads, most (2.1 million) had Texas plates.
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It may be surprising to some, as you can find yourself paying hundreds in citation fees if pulled over. There is a grace period, but time is limited. Here’s what folks should know about the documentation and what happens when it’s outdated.
How long can you legally drive with an expired registration sticker in Texas?
Five working days, not including Saturday, Sunday or a federal holiday, according to the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
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What happens if you get caught with an expired registration in Texas?
No one will contact you by phone or email to remind you about the renewal. After five days, a police officer may pull you over and issue you a citation. That ticket often requires you to pay a fine in addition to the legally required renewal fee.
According to the Texas Transportation Code, a 20% fee is typically added to the prescribed registration renewal amount (Sec. 502.045). In Texas, the base fee is $50.75.
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There are sometimes ways to pay a lower fine. A justice of the peace or municipal court judge with jurisdiction over the offense can dismiss the charge after you show proof that you renewed it within 20 working days of the offense (and paid the renewal fee) or before your first court appearance date, per Texas Transportation Code Sec. 502.407.
Additionally, if you can prove that your county assessor-collector was “closed for a protracted period of time in accordance with department rules” and that your vehicle registration had expired for less than 30 working days, you have a valid legal defense in court.
How much is a ticket for an expired sticker in Texas?
A ticket for an expired Texas sticker can cost up to $200, according to the state DMV.
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In Bexar County, it can cost $201 because the Insurance Verification Project (TexasSure) charges a $1 maintenance and operations fee. If the sticker is for a trailer or you have attached a fake one to a vehicle, the price could rise to $224. Keep in mind that after paying all this, you still have to renew the registration, which also costs money.
Is Texas DMV going to impose penalties for expired stickers?
No. The Texas DMV does not penalize a person unless that person has been issued a police citation. However, the longer the sticker has been expired, the more inconvenient renewing at the DMV becomes.
Renewal is only available online for up to 12 months after expiration if the person has not received a ticket, according to Texas DMV Media and Communications officer Adam Shaivitz, speaking to MySA. After one year, customers must go in person to their county tax office to renew.
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Is expired registration a felony?
No. State law considers it a misdemeanor.
Can you sell a car with expired registration in Texas?
Yes. Unlike a license plate, a registration sticker cannot be transferred to the new owner of a vehicle that has been sold. Therefore, it doesn’t matter that the sticker has expired because the new owner is legally required to apply for a new one.
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“The buyer will need a Vehicle Transit Permit, which gives the buyer five days to drive legally in order to come to the tax office to apply for a new title and vehicle registration,” the Travis County Tax Office website states.