Vehicle registration late fees are effective July 1

Beginning July 1, North Carolina vehicle owners must pay their annual vehicle registration renewals by the expiration date or face a late fee. The new fees were passed by the General Assembly last September and require one of three graduated late fees to be assessed on late registration renewals starting in July.

The late fees will be added beginning the first day of the month following the expiration date. Though citizens can still operate their vehicle up to 15 days after their registration has expired without being ticketed, they will be fined beginning the first day of the month after the registration expires.

If the registration has been expired for less than one month, a late fee of $15 will be charged. If the registration has been expired for one month or greater, but less than two months, a late fee of $20 will be charged.

A late fee of $25 will be charged for registrations that have been expired for two months or greater.

Vehicle registration renewals may be paid in person at any license plate agency, by mail, or online at www.ncdot.gov/dmv/online.

If paying by mail, the registration fee is considered to be made on the date shown on the postmark stamped by the United States Postal Service. If the mailed fee is not postmarked to show the date of mailing, the payment is considered to be made on the date the Division receives the payment.