Late Vehicle Titling And Registration Penalties

If the owner of a vehicle fails to title or register the vehicle as required by statute, current law imposes the following penalties, when applicable: For failing to register a motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or vehicle within 60 days after purchase, a penalty of $50 and a surcharge of $16; For failing to title or register a vehicle within 90 days after becoming a resident: A fine of $300 or 10 days in county jail; A supplemental unregistered vehicle fine of $25 to $100 for each month after the 90-day period; and A civil penalty of $500; For failing to apply for a certificate of title within 60 days after purchasing a motor vehicle or off-highway vehicle, a penalty of $15 to $100; For failing to follow any part of the titling statute, including applying for or obtaining a certificate of title, a fine of $300 or 10 days in county jail; For failing to register a vehicle, a late fee of $25 to $100 for each month after the expiration of the registration; and For failing to register a vehicle that is without motive power and weighs 16,000 pounds or less or a camper trailer or a multipurpose trailer, a late fee of $10. If an owner failed to title or register a vehicle within the 60- or 90-day period required by law between January 1, 2021, and January 1, 2023, and the owner titles or registers the vehicle by June 1, 2023, the bill exempts the owner from the penalties, fines, surcharges, and late fees imposed by statute. If a person has already paid statutory penalties, fines, surcharges, and late fees incurred on or after January 1, 2021, and before January 1, 2023, the person may apply to the department of revenue (department) for reimbursement. The department will reimburse the person from money appropriated for that purpose from the general fund. The highway users tax fund is reimbursed from the general fund for the portion of these penalties, fines, surcharges, and late fees that are not paid to the highway users tax fund. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)