Can you get pulled over for driving with expired tabs in Washington state? Here’s the law

From inspecting your lights and brakes to keeping your car registered and insured, there is a list of compliance expectations when driving in Washington. Before even getting on the road, the Washington State Driver Guide says drivers are responsible for ensuring their car is in drivable condition.

This includes the annual task of vehicle tab renewal. But how important are those small rectangular stickers on your license plate, and is it illegal to drive with expired tabs?

Here are the laws and rules in Washington state.

Can I drive in WA with expired tabs?

You can be pulled over in Washington state for driving with expired tabs. Some law enforcement may let you off with a warning, but some may give you a ticket.

The fine for expired tabs is $145 if it’s been up to two months since expiration. If your tabs have been expired for more than two months, the fine increases to $237, 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. Alternatively, you can also sign up for email reminders.

Updating license tabs in WA state

When it’s time to renew your tabs, first ensure that your address is current with the Department of Licensing. You’ll also need to 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 will not be ticketed. You may still get pulled over if law enforcement notices your expired sticker, but you cannot be issued a ticket if you purchased renewed tabs, according to Trooper Mosqueda.

You can calculate how much your license tab fees will cost by using the DOL calculation tool.

Mosqueda added that you should be covering the year portion on your plate, not the month, when applying new tab sticker. Tabs are required on the rear license plate.

Recent WA legislation on expired tabs

In previous Washington state legislative sessions, there have been unsuccessful proposals to make expired tabs a secondary offense.

Currently, a proposal preventing law enforcement from pulling drivers over for non-emergent maintenance issues like expired tabs and broken taillights has been introduced in the Washington State Legislature. Instead, warnings would be mailed to drivers who commit traffic infractions through non-moving violations.

The bill is currently being heard by the state House of Representatives.

Until such legislation is passed, you can still be pulled over for minor maintenance issues like expired tabs, most of which come with a fine of $145, according to Mosqueda.

New legislation did take effect at the start of 2025, however, that makes license plate covers illegal. Even clear plastic covers are no longer allowed, and you can be pulled over for using one. Frames are still allowed as long as they do not obscure your tabs or license plate number.

This story was originally published March 24, 2025 at 1:31 PM.