Can I get pulled over for driving with expired tabs in WA? What the law says

Drivers in Washington state are responsible for keeping their cars in drivable condition, according to the Washington State Driver Guide.

This includes keeping insurance up-to-date, checking your brakes regularly and replacing lights when they go out.

It also includes the annual task of vehicle tab renewal.

How important are those colorful license plate stickers? Can you get a ticket for driving with expired tabs?

Here’s what to know in Washington state:

Can I get pulled over in Washington for driving with expired tabs?

Troopers and other law enforcement officers can pull over drivers with expired tabs in Washington state.

Some law enforcement officers may let you off with a warning, but others could give you a ticket, according to Trooper Daniel Mosqueda with the Washington State Patrol.

Registered drivers in Washington state automatically get renewal reminders in the mail with a notification that it’s almost time to update their tabs. You can also sign up for email reminders.

What’s the penalty for letting your car registration lapse?

If you’re caught driving with expired tabs, the penalty depends on how long you’ve let your vehicle registration lapse.

You can expect to pay a $145 fine for expired tabs in the first two months after expiration, Mosqueda previously told McClatchy Media.

If your tabs have been expired for longer than two months, the fine increases to $237.

How do I update my license tabs in Washington state?

When it’s time to renew your vehicle registration, you’ll need to make that your address is current with the Washington State Department of Licensing.

You must also pay any outstanding tickets or toll fees.

Once this is done, you can renew your tabs online, through the mail, or in person at your local vehicle licensing office.

Mail-order tabs should arrive within five business days. If you’re picking up the tabs, your local office will give you an estimated arrival date.

If your old tabs expire before your new ones are in place, you won’t get a ticket.

You may still get pulled over if a law enforcement officer notices your out-of-date sticker, but you cannot be issued a ticket if you purchased renewed tabs, according to Mosqueda.

Mosqueda said you should take care when applying your new stickers and cover the year portion on your plate, not the month.

Tabs must be displayed on your rear license plate.

How much does it cost to renew my car registration?

The cost of registering your vehicle in Washington state varies by vehicle, weight and location.

“Everyone starts with the basic fee of $43.25,” the Washington State Department of Licensing said on its website.

You can calculate how much your license tab fees will cost by using the state Licensing Department’s calculation tool.

New bill aimed at improving traffic safety

In previous Washington state legislative sessions, there have been unsuccessful proposals to make expired tabs a secondary offense. In other words, you’d have to be pulled over for another violation before you could be fined for expired tabs.

In 2025, a bill aimed at improving traffic safety was introduced in the state Legislature.

House Bill 1512 would only allow law enforcement officers to pull over vehicles for having expired registration after 12 months.

Before that point, fines for expired tabs would be sent through the mail.

A driver who was pulled over for another reason could receive a secondary fine for tabs that have been expired less than one year, HB 1512 says.

This bill was reintroduced to the Washington State House of Representatives in the 2026 session and was being considered in the House Community Safety Committee as of Tuesday, March 10.

This is an updated version of a previous article.

This story was originally published March 11, 2026 at 5:00 AM.