What Is a Car License Plate Tag?

License plate tags are a standard feature on vehicles. Despite their commonness, some people have yet to discover why they are required and their importance. If you have a car, there is a lot to know, between your license plate, vehicle registration, identification number, insurance, and other vital documents.

License plate tags need renewal, and you will get a mail notification alerting you to go to renew them when due. When that happens, you must get a license plate tag renewal immediately. However, you need to understand the basics to undertake the renewal process. Here is everything you need to know about license plate tags and why they are required.

What Are License Plate Tags?

A license plate tag is typically a sticker on your car's license plate or cards inside the car cabin that show proof of registration. According to U.S. traffic laws, you cannot drive registered cars in public if they do not have license plate tags. The tag number informs authorities that you have registered your vehicle, making you a lawful driver.

By looking at your car's plate tags, you will notice that it has alphanumeric codes. The alphanumeric codes are helpful because they show the month and year your car registration is valid. For example, license plate tags showing 'JUN 23' mean the car registration period will expire on the last day of June 2023. When this period elapses, you must go for license plate tag renewal.

Besides proving the car's registration, plate tags confirm proof of vehicle ownership, insurance, and tax adherence. These functions explain why law enforcement officers often examine plate tags. It would help if you always had your license plate tag to stay on the safe side of the law. You could be fined or charged for violating the law if found with expired plate tags or none.

The Difference Between License Plate Tags and License Plates

Most car owners interchange license plate tags and license plates. However, there is a significant difference between these two items. Your vehicle's license plate (its VIN) is state-specific. Being state-specific means your state's DMV assigns it after initial registration. If you buy a used car from someone else, its license plate will be from the last state it registered. The process is straightforward if you plan to list the vehicle in the same county.

However, if you live in a different state and would love to register the car, you must surrender its current license plates to the DMV to get new, state-approved ones. Remember that the license plate will remain with the car year after year unless registered in another state. On the other hand, you need to renew the tags annually. You are encouraged to display your plate tag in the right location, preferably the upper right or left corner of your license plate.

When Do Plate Tags for Cars Expire?

License plate tags for cars are renewable, meaning they expire after some time. As mentioned, driving around with an expired license plate tag can get you in trouble. A tag lookup will help you know when your plate tag expires.

There is no blanket expiration date for license plate tags; therefore, you must know your specific renewal timeline. A license plate tag automatically expires one year from the previous registration. If you need to remember the last time you registered, do a tag lookup to check the month and year of your registration. Besides, the state's DMV usually sends a renewal notice to the address linked with your car registration several weeks before the expiry date, preparing you in advance.

What To Do When the License Plate Tag Expires

When your license plate tag expires, you should renew it right away. As you know, the plate tag expires a year after registering it. The expiry period applies to any plate tag you have, including the license plate dog tag. Before the registration period elapses, you will receive a notification a few weeks earlier informing you about it. The alert gives you time to make the necessary arrangements for renewal.

The renewal notice goes to the address listed on the car registration, even if it differs from your home address. Either way, you need to take the necessary steps to renew your license plate tag lest you violate the law. Thankfully, you can renew your registration in several ways depending on your preferences. You can consider the following option when renewing your plate tags.

• The first option is using mail to send renewal payments directly to the DMV. This option initiates the renewal process instantly. When you receive the renewal notice, it comes with a return envelope to which you can send your payment. By making the payment on time, you will not incur any penalties or charges on your registration renewal. It is vital to note that the state DMV doesn't accept cash payments via mail-in renewals. Therefore, you need to pay in an acceptable form, like a cheque.
• Another way you can renew your license plate tag is by visiting your local DMV. You must wait in line and pay the renewal fee in person. The downside of this method is that wait times at the DMV can be overwhelming. Besides, some DMV stations offer limited services. Therefore, you are encouraged to explore other quicker and more convenient renewal methods.
• Alternatively, you can try freestanding DMV kiosks that are common in most states. This method is ideal because there are no lines and lengthy waiting times. You can find DMV kiosks in various public places throughout the state and access various DMV services. Also, some DMV kiosks can print out the new registration immediately after they receive your payment. Using DMV kiosks is advantageous because you don't have to wait several days to access the new plate tag.

Conclusion

License plate tags are an integral part of car documents. Always having them with you is essential, especially when driving in public. Besides, ensure you renew the plate tag on time to avoid penalties or possible charges. Promptly renewing your plate tags will go a long way in keeping you safe with the law!