{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/46.2-646.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/46.2-646.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/46.2-646.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/46.2-646.html"}],"law_id":77786,"edition_id":1,"section_id":77786,"structure_id":14978,"section_number":"46.2-646","catch_line":"Expiration and renewal of registration","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 46-62; 1958, c. 541, \u00a7 46.1-63; 1972, c. 609; 1974, c. 170; 1988, cc. 701, 704; 1989, c. 727; 2013, c. 337; 2019, cc. 14, 57; 2020, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 45, 51; 2023, c. 538.","full_text":"A\n\nEvery registration under this title, unless otherwise provided, shall expire on the last day of the twelfth month next succeeding the date of registration. Every registration, unless otherwise provided, shall be renewed annually on application by the owner and by payment of the fees required by law, the renewal to take effect on the first day of the month succeeding the date of expiration. Notwithstanding these limitations, the Commissioner may extend the validity period of an expiring registration if (i) the Department is unable to process an application for renewal due to circumstances beyond its control, and (ii) the extension has been authorized under a directive from the Governor. However, in no event shall the validity period be extended more than 90 days per occurrence of such conditions.B\n\nAll motor vehicles, trailers, and semitrailers registered in the Commonwealth shall, at the discretion of the Commissioner, be placed in a system of registration on a monthly basis to distribute the work of registering motor vehicles as uniformly as practicable throughout the 12 months of the year. All such motor vehicles, trailers, and semitrailers, unless otherwise provided, shall be registered for a period of 12 months. The registration shall be extended, at the discretion of the Commissioner, on receipt of appropriate prorated fees, as required by law, for a period of not less than one month nor more than 11 months as is necessary to distribute the registrations as equally as practicable on a monthly basis. The Commissioner shall, on request, assign to any owner or owners of two or more motor vehicles, trailers, or semitrailers the same registration period. The expiration date shall be the last day of the twelfth month or the last day of the designated month. Except for motor vehicles, trailers, and semitrailers registered for more than one year under subsection C of this section, every registration shall be renewed annually on application by the owner and by payment of fees required by law, the renewal to take effect on the first day of the succeeding month.C\n\nThe Commissioner may offer, at his discretion, an optional multi-year registration for all motor vehicles, trailers, and semitrailers except for those registered under the International Registration Plan. When this option is offered and chosen by the registrant, all annual and 12-month fees due at the time of registration shall be multiplied by the number of years or fraction thereof that the vehicle will be registered.D\n\nFor any summons issued for a violation of this section, the court may, in its discretion, dismiss the summons where proof of compliance with this section is provided to the court on or before the court date.E\n\nNo law-enforcement officer shall stop a motor vehicle due to an expired registration sticker prior to the first day of the fourth month after the original expiration date. No evidence discovered or obtained as the result of a stop in violation of this subsection, including evidence discovered or obtained with the operator’s consent, shall be admissible in any trial, hearing, or other proceeding.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":278966,"text":"Every registration under this title, unless otherwise provided, shall expire on the last day of the twelfth month next succeeding the date of registration. Every registration, unless otherwise provided, shall be renewed annually on application by the owner and by payment of the fees required by law, the renewal to take effect on the first day of the month succeeding the date of expiration. Notwithstanding these limitations, the Commissioner may extend the validity period of an expiring registration if (i) the Department is unable to process an application for renewal due to circumstances beyond its control, and (ii) the extension has been authorized under a directive from the Governor. However, in no event shall the validity period be extended more than 90 days per occurrence of such conditions.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":278967,"text":"All motor vehicles, trailers, and semitrailers registered in the Commonwealth shall, at the discretion of the Commissioner, be placed in a system of registration on a monthly basis to distribute the work of registering motor vehicles as uniformly as practicable throughout the 12 months of the year. All such motor vehicles, trailers, and semitrailers, unless otherwise provided, shall be registered for a period of 12 months. The registration shall be extended, at the discretion of the Commissioner, on receipt of appropriate prorated fees, as required by law, for a period of not less than one month nor more than 11 months as is necessary to distribute the registrations as equally as practicable on a monthly basis. The Commissioner shall, on request, assign to any owner or owners of two or more motor vehicles, trailers, or semitrailers the same registration period. The expiration date shall be the last day of the twelfth month or the last day of the designated month. Except for motor vehicles, trailers, and semitrailers registered for more than one year under subsection C of this section, every registration shall be renewed annually on application by the owner and by payment of fees required by law, the renewal to take effect on the first day of the succeeding month.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":278968,"text":"The Commissioner may offer, at his discretion, an optional multi-year registration for all motor vehicles, trailers, and semitrailers except for those registered under the International Registration Plan. When this option is offered and chosen by the registrant, all annual and 12-month fees due at the time of registration shall be multiplied by the number of years or fraction thereof that the vehicle will be registered.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":278969,"text":"For any summons issued for a violation of this section, the court may, in its discretion, dismiss the summons where proof of compliance with this section is provided to the court on or before the court date.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"E"},"4":{"id":278970,"text":"No law-enforcement officer shall stop a motor vehicle due to an expired registration sticker prior to the first day of the fourth month after the original expiration date. No evidence discovered or obtained as the result of a stop in violation of this subsection, including evidence discovered or obtained with the operator’s consent, shall be admissible in any trial, hearing, or other proceeding.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D"}},"ancestry":[{"id":14978,"edition_id":1,"name":"Registration of Vehicles","identifier":"3","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12879,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:51:16","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:51:16","permalink":{"id":228129,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14978,"identifier":"3","token":"46.2\/II\/6\/3","url":"\/46.2\/II\/6\/3\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12879,"edition_id":1,"name":"Titling and Registration of Motor Vehicles","identifier":"6","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12771,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:58","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:58","permalink":{"id":226923,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12879,"identifier":"6","token":"46.2\/II\/6","url":"\/46.2\/II\/6\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12771,"edition_id":1,"name":"Titling, Registration and Licensure","identifier":"II","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12770,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:52","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:52","permalink":{"id":225627,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12771,"identifier":"II","token":"46.2\/II","url":"\/46.2\/II\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12770,"edition_id":1,"name":"Motor Vehicles","identifier":"46.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:52","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:52","permalink":{"id":225289,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12770,"identifier":"46.2","token":"46.2","url":"\/46.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":59787,"structure_id":14978,"section_number":"46.2-645","catch_line":"Registration of vehicles","url":"\/46.2-645\/","token":"46.2\/II\/6\/3\/46.2-645","metadata":false},{"id":77786,"structure_id":14978,"section_number":"46.2-646","catch_line":"Expiration and renewal of registration","url":"\/46.2-646\/","token":"46.2\/II\/6\/3\/46.2-646","metadata":false},{"id":57153,"structure_id":14978,"section_number":"46.2-646.1","catch_line":"Deactivation and reactivation of registration; fees","url":"\/46.2-646.1\/","token":"46.2\/II\/6\/3\/46.2-646.1","metadata":false},{"id":82784,"structure_id":14978,"section_number":"46.2-646.2","catch_line":"Registration extension for satisfaction of certain requirements","url":"\/46.2-646.2\/","token":"46.2\/II\/6\/3\/46.2-646.2","metadata":false},{"id":59832,"structure_id":14978,"section_number":"46.2-647","catch_line":"Grace period for replacement of license plates or decals and renewal of registrations","url":"\/46.2-647\/","token":"46.2\/II\/6\/3\/46.2-647","metadata":false},{"id":65100,"structure_id":14978,"section_number":"46.2-648","catch_line":"Registration of logging vehicles","url":"\/46.2-648\/","token":"46.2\/II\/6\/3\/46.2-648","metadata":false},{"id":84029,"structure_id":14978,"section_number":"46.2-648.1","catch_line":"Optional registration of tow dolly and converter gear","url":"\/46.2-648.1\/","token":"46.2\/II\/6\/3\/46.2-648.1","metadata":false},{"id":82949,"structure_id":14978,"section_number":"46.2-649","catch_line":"Certain vehicles required to show evidence of payment of taxes and of registration or exemption from registration with Department of Motor Vehicles","url":"\/46.2-649\/","token":"46.2\/II\/6\/3\/46.2-649","metadata":false},{"id":84219,"structure_id":14978,"section_number":"46.2-649.1","catch_line":"Registration of tow trucks; fees","url":"\/46.2-649.1\/","token":"46.2\/II\/6\/3\/46.2-649.1","metadata":false},{"id":75213,"structure_id":14978,"section_number":"46.2-649.1:1","catch_line":"Registration of vehicles owned and used by volunteer fire departments or volunteer, commercial, or private emergency medical services agencies","url":"\/46.2-649.1_1\/","token":"46.2\/II\/6\/3\/46.2-649.1_1","metadata":false},{"id":57761,"structure_id":14978,"section_number":"46.2-649.2","catch_line":"Certain vehicles to comply with clean alternative fuel fleet standards prior to registration; penalty","url":"\/46.2-649.2\/","token":"46.2\/II\/6\/3\/46.2-649.2","metadata":false},{"id":57162,"structure_id":14978,"section_number":"46.2-649.3","catch_line":"Registration of covered farm vehicles","url":"\/46.2-649.3\/","token":"46.2\/II\/6\/3\/46.2-649.3","metadata":false},{"id":83196,"structure_id":14978,"section_number":"46.2-649.4","catch_line":"Covered farm vehicles; exemptions","url":"\/46.2-649.4\/","token":"46.2\/II\/6\/3\/46.2-649.4","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":59787,"structure_id":14978,"section_number":"46.2-645","catch_line":"Registration of vehicles","url":"\/46.2-645\/","token":"46.2\/II\/6\/3\/46.2-645","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":57153,"structure_id":14978,"section_number":"46.2-646.1","catch_line":"Deactivation and reactivation of registration; fees","url":"\/46.2-646.1\/","token":"46.2\/II\/6\/3\/46.2-646.1","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/46.2-646\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 8 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1958, chapter 541; in 1972, chapter 609; in 1974, chapter 170; in 1988, chapters 701 and 704; in 1989, chapter 727; in 2013, chapter 337<\/a>; in 2019, chapters 14<\/a> and 57<\/a>; in 2023, chapter 538<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":68913,"section_number":"16.1-69.48:1","catch_line":"Fixed fee for misdemeanors, traffic infractions and other violations in district court; additional fees to be added","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-69.48_1\/"},{"id":56466,"section_number":"46.2-214.3","catch_line":"Discount for multiyear registration","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-214.3\/"},{"id":76988,"section_number":"46.2-694","catch_line":"(Contingent effective date) Fees for vehicles designed and used for transportation of passengers; weights used for computing fees; burden of proof","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-694\/"},{"id":71868,"section_number":"46.2-697","catch_line":"(Contingent effective date \u2014 see Editor's note) Fees for vehicles not designed or used for transportation of passengers","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-697\/"},{"id":70851,"section_number":"46.2-772","catch_line":"(For contingent expiration, see Acts 2020, cc. 1230 and 1275) Highway use fee","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-772\/"}],"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":228135,"object_type":"law","relational_id":77786,"identifier":"46.2-646","token":"46.2\/II\/6\/3\/46.2-646","url":"\/46.2-646\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/46.2-646\/","token":"46.2\/II\/6\/3\/46.2-646","dublin_core":{"Title":"Expiration and renewal of registration","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 46.2-646","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> Every registration under this title, unless otherwise provided, shall expire on the last day of the twelfth month next succeeding the date of registration. Every registration, unless otherwise provided, shall be renewed annually on application by the owner<\/span> and by payment of the fees required by law<\/span>, the renewal to take effect on the first day of the month succeeding the date of expiration. Notwithstanding these limitations, the Commissioner<\/span> may extend the validity period of an expiring registration if (i) the Department<\/span> is unable to process an application for renewal due to circumstances beyond its control, and (ii) the extension has been authorized under a directive from the Governor. However, in no event shall the validity period be extended more than 90 days per occurrence of such conditions. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> All motor vehicles<\/span>, trailers<\/span>, and semitrailers<\/span> registered in the Commonwealth shall, at the discretion of the Commissioner<\/span>, be placed in a system of registration on a monthly basis to distribute the work of registering motor vehicles<\/span> as uniformly as practicable throughout the 12 months of the year. All such motor vehicles<\/span>, trailers<\/span>, and semitrailers<\/span>, unless otherwise provided, shall be registered for a period of 12 months. The registration shall be extended, at the discretion of the Commissioner<\/span>, on receipt of appropriate prorated fees, as required by law<\/span>, for a period of not less than one month nor more than 11 months as is necessary to distribute the registrations as equally as practicable on a monthly basis. The Commissioner<\/span> shall, on request, assign to any owner<\/span> or owners<\/span> of two or more motor vehicles<\/span>, trailers<\/span>, or semitrailers<\/span> the same registration period. The expiration date shall be the last day of the twelfth month or the last day of the designated month. Except for motor vehicles<\/span>, trailers<\/span>, and semitrailers<\/span> registered for more than one year under subsection C of this section, every registration shall be renewed annually on application by the owner<\/span> and by payment of fees required by law<\/span>, the renewal to take effect on the first day of the succeeding month. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> The Commissioner<\/span> may offer, at his discretion, an optional multi-year registration for all motor vehicles<\/span>, trailers<\/span>, and semitrailers<\/span> except for those registered under the International Registration Plan. When this option is offered and chosen by the registrant, all annual and 12-month fees due at the time of registration shall be multiplied by the number of years or fraction thereof that the vehicle<\/span> will be registered. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> For any summons<\/span> issued for a violation of this section, the court<\/span> may, in its discretion, dismiss the summons<\/span> where proof of compliance with this section is provided to the court<\/span> on or before the court<\/span> date. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> No law<\/span>-enforcement officer<\/span> shall stop a motor vehicle<\/span> due to an expired registration sticker prior to the first day of the fourth month after the original expiration date. No evidence<\/span> discovered or obtained as the result of a stop in violation of this subsection, including evidence<\/span> discovered or obtained with the operator<\/span>’s consent, shall be admissible<\/span> in any trial<\/span>, hearing<\/span>, or other proceeding. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nEXPIRATION AND RENEWAL OF REGISTRATION (\u00a7 46.2-646)\n\nA. Every registration under this title, unless otherwise provided, shall expire\non the last day of the twelfth month next succeeding the date of registration.\nEvery registration, unless otherwise provided, shall be renewed annually on\napplication by the owner and by payment of the fees required by law, the renewal\nto take effect on the first day of the month succeeding the date of expiration.\nNotwithstanding these limitations, the Commissioner may extend the validity\nperiod of an expiring registration if (i) the Department is unable to process an\napplication for renewal due to circumstances beyond its control, and (ii) the\nextension has been authorized under a directive from the Governor. However, in\nno event shall the validity period be extended more than 90 days per occurrence\nof such conditions.\n\nB. All motor vehicles, trailers, and semitrailers registered in the Commonwealth\nshall, at the discretion of the Commissioner, be placed in a system of\nregistration on a monthly basis to distribute the work of registering motor\nvehicles as uniformly as practicable throughout the 12 months of the year. All\nsuch motor vehicles, trailers, and semitrailers, unless otherwise provided,\nshall be registered for a period of 12 months. The registration shall be\nextended, at the discretion of the Commissioner, on receipt of appropriate\nprorated fees, as required by law, for a period of not less than one month nor\nmore than 11 months as is necessary to distribute the registrations as equally\nas practicable on a monthly basis. The Commissioner shall, on request, assign to\nany owner or owners of two or more motor vehicles, trailers, or semitrailers the\nsame registration period. The expiration date shall be the last day of the\ntwelfth month or the last day of the designated month. Except for motor\nvehicles, trailers, and semitrailers registered for more than one year under\nsubsection C of this section, every registration shall be renewed annually on\napplication by the owner and by payment of fees required by law, the renewal to\ntake effect on the first day of the succeeding month.\n\nC. The Commissioner may offer, at his discretion, an optional multi-year\nregistration for all motor vehicles, trailers, and semitrailers except for those\nregistered under the International Registration Plan. When this option is\noffered and chosen by the registrant, all annual and 12-month fees due at the\ntime of registration shall be multiplied by the number of years or fraction\nthereof that the vehicle will be registered.\n\nD. For any summons issued for a violation of this section, the court may, in its\ndiscretion, dismiss the summons where proof of compliance with this section is\nprovided to the court on or before the court date.\n\nE. No law-enforcement officer shall stop a motor vehicle due to an expired\nregistration sticker prior to the first day of the fourth month after the\noriginal expiration date. No evidence discovered or obtained as the result of a\nstop in violation of this subsection, including evidence discovered or obtained\nwith the operator’s consent, shall be admissible in any trial, hearing, or\nother proceeding.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 46-62; 1958, c. 541, \u00a7 46.1-63; 1972, c. 609; 1974, c.\n170; 1988, cc. 701, 704; 1989, c. 727; 2013, c. 337; 2019, cc. 14, 57; 2020, Sp.\nSess. I, cc. 45, 51; 2023, c. 538.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}