say you haven't driven it and wait a until 5/25

Unless something changed, they don't change the original renewal month...so I'm pretty sure that's correct. But someone can correct me if I'm wrong.

From the TX DMV:

Quote:

---

Your vehicle registration may be renewed online 90 days prior to the expiration date or up to 12 months after the expiration date if you have not received a citation for an expired registration. Your expiration month will not change.

---

maroon barchetta said:

---

AgGrad99 said:

---

If you register now, you'll have to register again in 1 month.

I'd just wait.

---

I don't know if that is correct.

---

It's correct.

Happened to me wayyyy too many times. Most recently last month with two cars. Stickers expired last May. New registration stickers expire end of next month. I didn't even bother putting them on the windshield.

ChoppinDs40 said:

---

if you wait passed a year you have to go to the DMV/County office and get the sticker vs. just getting it mailed to you.

Do it now and save yourself the trip.

---

Paying an extra $80 to the state is worth saving the trip? I'd rather let the year pass and get a full year from my sticker.

ChoppinDs40 said:

---

txyaloo said:

---

ChoppinDs40 said:

---

if you wait passed a year you have to go to the DMV/County office and get the sticker vs. just getting it mailed to you.

Do it now and save yourself the trip.

---

Paying an extra $80 to the state is worth saving the trip? I'd rather let the year pass and get a full year from my sticker.

---

Again. Not sure that's how it works… otherwise everyone would just let it ride and not pay the pro rated amount.

---

Unfortunately, I have way too many hoopties and deal with this every year since I generally don't register each of them every year.

https://tax-office.traviscountytx.gov/vehicles/vehicle-registration/registration-renewal/online#:~:text=Here%20is%20what%20you%20need%20to%20renew%20online:&text=The%20online%20system%20automatically%20checks,date%20for%20your%20next%20renewal.

Quote:

---

Note: While your sticker can be expired up to six months, remember that your registration sticker renewal date does not change. For example, if your registration expired in January and you renew in June, the sticker you receive comes with the January date for your next renewal.

---

If your sticker expired in May 2024, and you register it today, the expiration date will be May 2025 unless you pay for two years at once. If you register in June 2025, your renewal date is May 2026, and they don't collect for the previous year. As long as you haven't received a ticket for driving on expired registration, there's not any extra penalties.

Here's the relevant state law. Subsection C is the key point.

Quote:

---

Sec. 502.045. DELINQUENT REGISTRATION. (a) A registration fee for a vehicle becomes delinquent immediately if the vehicle is used on a public highway without the fee having been paid in accordance with this chapter.

(b) An applicant for registration who provides evidence to establish good reason for delinquent registration and who complies with the other requirements for registration under this chapter may register the vehicle for a 12-month period that ends on the last day of the 11th month after the month in which the registration occurs under this subsection.

(c) An applicant for registration who is delinquent and has not provided evidence acceptable to establish good reason for delinquent registration but who complies with the other requirements for registration under this chapter shall register the vehicle for a 12-month period without changing the initial month of registration.

(d) A person who has been arrested or received a citation for a violation of Section 502.472 may register the vehicle being operated at the time of the offense for a 12-month period without change to the initial month of registration only if the person:
(1) meets the other requirements for registration under this chapter; and
(2) pays an additional charge equal to 20 percent of the prescribed fee.
(e) The board by rule shall adopt a list of evidentiary items sufficient to establish good reason for delinquent registration under Subsection (b) and provide for the evidence that may be used to establish good reason under that subsection.
(f) The board by rule shall adopt procedures to implement this section in connection with the delinquent registration of a vehicle registered directly with the department or through other means.

---

Also see pages 8-4 and 8-5 of the tax assessor's vehicle registration manual. There's ways around it, but I've never been successful getting an exception even in my small county where I know the folks in the assessor's office.

https://www.txdmv.gov/sites/default/files/body-files/Motor_Vehicle_Registration_Manual_Book_298.pdf

Quote:

---

If there is a valid reason for the delinquent registration of a vehicle, the vehicle should be registered for a 12-month period, establishing a new registration expiration month, which ends on the last day of the 11th month following the month of registration.

Valid reasons may include:
a receipt for extensive repairs on the vehicle,
evidence that the person was out of the country,
evidence that the vehicle is used only for seasonal use,
military orders, a storage receipt, or
any other evidence submitted that the tax assessor collector determines is valid.

If there is not a valid reason for the delinquent registration of a vehicle, the vehicle should be registered for a 12-month period without establishing a new registration period.

---

SB2718 is before the Legislature this session to make registrations prorated but that comes with a monthly penalty for every month you missed (1/12th of the registration fee) on top of the 20% penalty already in the TTC. Thankfully it's died in committee.

My '95 was out of registration since 2022 and I was very cautious to not drive it while the registration was grossly expired.

A cop pulled me over a couple hundred yards after I left the inspection spot and gave me a ticket for expired registration despite the time stamp on the inspection paperwork being only 5 minutes prior.

I had to pay the $20 to have it dismissed and the 2024 registration fee

Rattler12 said:

---

AgGrad99 said:

---

Right.

So what I'm saying is that if he renewed now, he'll have to renew again in a month, because he's still within the year. The renewal month won't change.

Once it eclipses the 12 month mark (like it did for you), you have to go up there, and it re-sets the month.

---

What is your definition of eclipsing the 12 month mark and how did mine do that? I paid for a year renewal in Sept of 93 to expire Sept 94. I did not renew it until 4/23/25 which is several days short of 6 months past expiration date of 9/24.

---

Several days short?

Try 30 years past.

Rattler12 said:

---

AgGrad99 said:

---

Right.

So what I'm saying is that if he renewed now, he'll have to renew again in a month, because he's still within the year. The renewal month won't change.

Once it eclipses the 12 month mark (like it did for you), you have to go up there, and it re-sets the month.

---

What is your definition of eclipsing the 12 month mark and how did mine do that? I paid for a year renewal in Sept of 93 to expire Sept 94. I did not renew it until 4/23/25 which is several days short of 6 months past expiration date of 9/24.

---

My math might be bad, but Im pretty sure 30 years is way past 12 months