Can I Ship a Car with Expired Registration?

Let’s walk through everything you need to know about that old car registration you forgot to renew and now are kicking yourself for being lame. With our article there are no DMV lines, no hold tone on the phone, and definitely no judgment all around as we’ve all been there. Read on to learn more.

So, you’ve got a car to ship and a small-dare I say it- issue- its registration is expired. Maybe you forgot, maybe your son forgot, maybe the DMV forgot, maybe you got the renewal notice, opened it, got distracted by a sale on your favorite tights, and then three months went by. Whatever the reason, now you’re staring down a black hole and wondering: Can I actually ship my car like this? What do I do?

The good news: Yes, you can ship a car with expired registration. The even better news: It’s more common than you think. You’re not alone, and we’ve got all the jokes to get you through this like a true pro.

Short answer? Yes.

Long answer? Yes, but there are a few things to know that could turn your shipping experience from “smooth ride” to “dear god what did I do to deserve this?”

The thing is, car transport companies don’t care if your registration is expired. As long as your car is working to drive up the ramp, legally owned by you, and not something that just got jacked from a parking lot in broad daylight by a pro thief. They’re in the business of moving cars, not checking your stickers like the police.

That being said, there are a few times where expired registration can cause some issues, and we’re here to walk you through those like your best friend and relocation guru.

Let’s clarify something first as some people mix things up. Registration is not the same as your car’s title. Your registration is what gives you that little sticker with the year on it and allows your car to legally be driven on public roads. Your title is proof that you own the car and can ship, sell, or do whatever you want with it. 

Car shipping companies need to know the car belongs to you, not that it’s legal in your state. So as long as you have a clean title, you’re good to go.

Now, if your car also lacks a title well, that’s another issue entirely and might involve more paperwork than it’s even worth.

While the carrier doesn’t need your car to have valid registration, you still do if you plan on driving it on public roads to the pickup point. That means:

• If you’re doing door-to-door pickup and drop-off, and the truck comes to you, no problem- you aren’t driving.
• If you have to drive the car to a terminal or meet the truck somewhere (like a gas station, parking lot, or the mall), expired registration could get you pulled over. This is more of a legal issue overall not really a shipping issue.

Imagine getting a ticket while trying to ship the car. That’s a very specific kind of irony that only the DMV would approve of. That’s simply pure evil twisted up with bad luck.

If your car is operable, even with expired registration, most carriers will treat it like any other vehicle. They’ll load it, ship it, and deliver it without blinking an eye or sending you a judgemental glance.

If your car doesn’t run, you’re in “non-operable vehicle” category, which means you’ll need a carrier with special equipment. This also means it’ll cost more, take longer, and make you question why you still own this car in the first place and need to ship it across the US.

So yes, expired registration is fine, but your car should still function like something other than a giant rock on wheels.

Some people assume that if your registration is expired, your insurance is too. Not necessarily. But you should absolutely double-check, because if your insurance has passed it’s date, your car is traveling naked and uncovered.

Carriers carry their own insurance, yes, but that only covers damage during transport. It doesn’t cover things like theft of personal items, pre-existing issues, or mysterious dings that might not have been there before.

Even if your car has expired registration, maintaining valid insurance is a smart move. Think of it as travel insurance for your car. But instead of worrying about lost luggage, you’re protecting your bumper sticker collection. If you are trashing the car- as well you need to ensure that you have updated your insurance company in order to stop automatic payments.

If you’re shipping your car to another state, that state doesn’t care if your old registration is expired. You’ll register it once it arrives anyway.

So, unless you're planning on driving it around before getting it registered in the new state (which you legally shouldn’t), you’re good to go my friend.

Expired registration doesn’t matter if your car is being shipped on a trailer and not driving a single inch of road solo.

Don’t try to drive it once it’s delivered until it is insured. You might think you can sneak it over to the DMV without anyone noticing, but remember: expired plates are like giant “pull me over” stickers that cops need to meet their quotas and are looking for.

You’re not the first person to procrastinate and totally forget to renew. Here’s how to handle it like a professional slacker:

1. Let the shipping company know
   They don’t need to report you to the DMV, but it helps them plan if they know the car can’t legally be driven.
2. Make sure the car starts and drives
   Even if it’s just onto and off the trailer, make sure the battery works and it has enough gas to scoot a few feet. Ideally fill the tank ¼ full.
3. Keep your insurance active
   Just because the car’s not road-legal doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be protected from surprises on the way. If you stop your insurance your driving history might not count later. 
4. Have your ID and title
   Carriers will want proof the vehicle is yours, especially if your plates are expired. A valid title keeps things smooth and running.
5. 5. Don’t leave anything inside
   No gym bags, electronics, gold necklaces, or suspicious snacks from last year. Nothing personal should be left in the car registered or not.

Once your car is dropped off, it’s up to you to either renew registration or register it in your new state. And until you do, don’t drive it-no matter how tempting it is to take a spin around the block.

Some people choose to have it dropped off at a mechanic or garage where it can be inspected and registered before hitting the road. Others- the real responsible ones go straight to the DMV and handle business before delivery happens.

Whichever you choose, know that expired registration isn’t the end of the world- it’s just one more thing on the moving to-do checklist.

If your car’s registration has expired, don’t panic-it's organic and no worries. Carriers care more about whether your car runs and whether you own it than whether your sticker is up-to-date and legal.

Still, you want to be upfront about things with your company, have your paperwork handy, and avoid any surprises like towing fees or parking tickets. Just remember: the only thing worse than expired registration is trying to explain to a police officer why you’re driving a car that’s technically “in transit” and also technically “illegal.”