Category: Traffic Offenses · Statute: F.S. 320.07 · Source: Florida Legislature
Understanding Expired Vehicle Registration in Florida
In Florida, vehicle registrations must be renewed annually through the county tax collector, typically expiring on the owner's birthday, or on a designated date for leased and company vehicles. Under Florida Statute Section 320.07, driving a vehicle with an expired registration is a traffic violation, but the severity of the offense depends entirely on how long the registration has been lapsed. If the registration has been expired for six months or less, the offense is treated as a non-criminal traffic infraction, which is resolved by paying a civil penalty (typically between $30 and $50) and providing proof of renewal.
However, the violation escalates to a criminal offense if the registration has been expired for more than six months and the driver is operating the vehicle on Florida roadways. Under Section 320.07(3)(c), a second or subsequent violation of an registration expired for more than six months is classified as a second-degree misdemeanor. Law enforcement officers routinely identify this offense during standard traffic stops or through automated license plate readers, which instantly flag expired tags in the state database.
Bail and Pretrial Release for Expired Registration
Because an expired registration violation of more than six months is a second-degree misdemeanor, individuals arrested for this offense are typically released on their own recognizance (ROR) or issued a notice to appear in court rather than being booked into jail. If a physical arrest does occur, bail is rarely required, as these minor traffic misdemeanors generally qualify for immediate release under local county bond schedules without the need for a formal bail hearing or a commercial bail bond.