An Expired Tag
Fla. Stat. 320.07 — 6 months expired or less is a nonmoving infraction; past that, a second offense is a misdemeanor
In Florida, the registration of a motor vehicle expires at midnight on the last day of the registration period, or, for an owner who is a natural person, at midnight on the owner's birthday. A vehicle may not be operated on the roads of the state after that unless the registration has been renewed.
| Registration expired | What it is |
|---|---|
| Registration expiredFor 6 months or less | What it isA noncriminal traffic infraction, punishable as a nonmoving violation under chapter 318 |
| Registration expiredFor more than 6 months, a first offense | What it isSubject to the penalty provided in s. 318.14 |
| Registration expiredFor more than 6 months, a second or subsequent offense | What it isA misdemeanor of the second degree |
Not before the end of the birth month. For a registration expired 6 months or less, an officer may not issue a citation until midnight on the last day of the owner's birth month of the year the registration expires.
Who is cited. The owner, if present; if the owner is not present, the operator. An operator is not charged who can show, by a valid lease agreement, that the vehicle had been leased for a period of 30 days or less at the time.
| License tax | Delinquent fee |
|---|---|
| License tax$5 but not more than $25 | Delinquent fee$5 flat |
| License taxOver $25 but not more than $50 | Delinquent fee$10 flat |
| License taxOver $50 but not more than $100 | Delinquent fee$15 flat |
| License taxOver $100 but not more than $400 | Delinquent fee$50 flat |
| License taxOver $400 but not more than $600 | Delinquent fee$100 flat |
| License taxOver $600 | Delinquent fee$250 flat |
When the fee starts. The delinquent fee is in addition to the penalty, and applies beginning on the 11th calendar day of the month after the renewal period, to an applicant who did not renew before the end of the month in which renewal was due.
Servicemembers. A servicemember whose registration expired while serving on active duty or state active duty 35 miles or more from home of record may renew on return without penalty, on a copy of the official military orders or a written verification signed by the commanding officer.
How a ticket is paid, contested or taken to a hearing is on the traffic ticket pages, and points are on the points page. A particular citation is a question for the clerk of court, or a licensed Florida attorney.
Sources for this section (1)
- Fla. Stat. 320.07 — Expiration of registration; renewal required; penalties
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Florida attorney.