Having your vehicle registration suspended can introduce major problems in your life. Driving illegally can lead to more tickets and even misdemeanor criminal charges. Meanwhile, not being able to drive means you will be unable to work or go to school.

Understanding why vehicle registration suspensions occur, and the consequences they have, will help you get the legal assistance you need to correct the problem. Find out how the Central New York attorneys of The New York Traffic Ticket Lawyers can help you.

Common Causes of New York Vehicle Registration Suspensions

There are many reasons the New York DMV may suspend your vehicle’s registration. They include:

Unpaid tickets and fines: The DMV has the power to enforce traffic tickets and court fines through registration suspension. If you fail to pay on time, expect your registration to get suspended.
Toll and E-ZPass violations: Failure to pay tolls and E-ZPass violations are also common reasons for suspension. If you haven’t paid, make sure you do to avoid this problem.
Lapsed automobile insurance: If your auto insurance lapses even for a short period of time your registration could get suspended. Maintain continuous coverage and pay any lapse fees to keep your registration.
Emissions inspections: If you fail to have your vehicle inspected for emissions, the DMV could suspend your registration as well. Keep up with your inspection due date to maintain registration.

The Consequences of New York Vehicle Registration Suspensions

Having your vehicle registration suspended may not seem like a big deal, but driving without a valid registration is a serious offense. These are just a few of the legal issues you could encounter:

Fines and surcharges: Driving a vehicle with a suspended registration will almost certainly trigger significant fines and surcharges.
Vehicle impoundment: The DMV could have your vehicle towed and impounded until you pay all fines and clear the suspension.
Misdemeanor criminal charges: Prosecutors may charge you with a misdemeanor offense that could lead to 30, 90, or 180 days in jail (for a first, second, or third conviction, respectively).

What is a VTL 401 Ticket for No Registration?

A ticket for no registration, charged under section 401 of the New York Vehicle and Traffic Law, is different from a ticket for a suspended registration (VTL 512). This usually results from failure to renew an expired vehicle registration. Although not as serious as driving with a suspended registration, a conviction could still result in:

A fine of $40 to $300
An $88 to $93 surcharge
Up to 15 days in jail

How to Reinstate a Suspended Registration in New York

There is no need to accumulate fines and other legal penalties for failure to correct a suspended registration. By taking the following steps, with the assistance of an attorney, you can quickly correct the problem and move forward:

Find out why your registration was suspended: Identify the reason for the suspension (such as the ones listed above) and then contact our Central New York law office for help resolving the outstanding tickets and fines.
Collect any necessary documentation: Depending on your suspension, you may need proof of a new insurance policy, payment of fines and fees, an emissions test report, and so forth. Gather the documents you need to prove you’ve addressed the underlying cause of the suspension.
Pay the reinstatement fee: The DMV will require you to pay a fee to reinstate your registration. Your fee will vary depending on the nature of the suspension.
Return your license plates, if necessary: For some vehicle registration suspensions, New York drivers must surrender their license plates. Do so, if you haven’t already, and then pick up or apply for new plates. The DMV can explain this process.
Visit the DMV, if necessary: Again, depending on the nature of your suspension, you may have to visit the DMV in person rather than complete the reinstatement process online. Have all your documentation ready and be prepared to pay applicable fees.

How Our Central New York Law Firm Can Help

Registration suspensions are complicated, but with patience and diligence you can address the problem. Our traffic ticket attorneys are ready to assist you. We can:

Address the underlying traffic ticket, including by contesting the ticket in court and having the matter resolved with prosecutors
Walk you through the steps to reinstate your vehicle registration
Challenge any invalid suspensions
Handle any tickets you receive because of a suspended registration
Help you address any other DMV requirements which may apply to your situation
Verify that your registration has been officially reinstated

That’s the level of comprehensive legal representation you can expect from The New York Traffic Ticket Lawyers. Connect with us today to restore your vehicle registration.