Expired Registration in Alaska

Motor vehicle registration constitutes a mandatory requirement for all vehicle owners in Alaska. The Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles, operating under the Department of Administration, administers vehicle registration procedures throughout the state. The Alaska State Troopers, part of the Alaska Department of Public Safety, hold primary responsibility for enforcing compliance with vehicle registration statutes on public roadways.

State Code Provisions

Alaska's vehicle registration requirements are established under Title 28, Chapter 10 of the Alaska Statutes, which comprehensively addresses vehicle registration, liens, and titles. This statutory framework prescribes mandatory registration procedures, establishes penalties for non-compliance, and authorizes enforcement mechanisms. Specific provisions within this chapter create legal obligations for vehicle owners to maintain current registration and outline consequences for violations. AS 28.10.011 establishes that every vehicle driven, moved, or parked upon a highway or public parking place shall be registered under this chapter. Additional statutes, including AS 28.10.461 and AS 28.10.471 address requirements for displaying valid registration evidence and prohibit operation of vehicles with expired registration.

Registration Terms and Expiration

Biennial Registration System

Alaska operates under a biennial registration system for most passenger vehicles, with registrations remaining valid for two-year periods.

Standard Vehicle Registration:

• Registration periods extend for two years from the assigned expiration month
• Vehicles are assigned an expiration month when first registered in Alaska, and this month remains constant regardless of ownership changes
• Registrations expire on the last day of the expiration month in the second year of the registration cycle
• Example: A vehicle with a March expiration date registered in 2025 maintains valid registration through March 31, 2027, with expiration occurring at the conclusion of that date

Alaska does not provide a grace period for expired registration. Once registration expires, vehicle owners may not legally operate the vehicle on public roads until registration is renewed. The Division of Motor Vehicles mails renewal reminder postcards approximately two months before registration expires.

Penalties for Expired Registration

Traffic Violation for Operating with Expired Registration

Alaska law establishes a traffic violation for operating vehicles with expired registration. Under AS 28.10.471, a person may not drive or move a vehicle on a highway, vehicular way, or area when the registration has expired. This offense constitutes a minor offense (infraction) under Alaska's traffic violation classification system. According to the Alaska Uniform Minor Offense Table, the bail schedule establishes a ninety-dollar ($90) fine for operating a vehicle with expired registration under AS 28.10.471. Related violations under AS 28.10.461 for failure to carry or display proper registration evidence carry fines of seventy-five dollars ($75) to ninety dollars ($90).

These violations are classified as infractions with an optional court appearance when bail is posted. No driver's license points are assessed for expired registration violations under Alaska's point system.

Administrative Penalties for Late Renewal

Alaska does not impose administrative late fees or interest charges for renewing expired vehicle registration. Vehicle owners may renew expired registrations at any time by paying the standard biennial registration fee without additional penalty.

Registration Expired Less Than One Year:

• Vehicle owners pay the full biennial registration fee beginning with the month the registration expired
• This applies regardless of whether the vehicle was operated during the expired period
• The renewed registration extends for two years from the original expiration date

Registration Expired More Than One Year:

• The renewal establishes a new expiration month
• Registration becomes valid for two years from the new registration date

The online renewal system permits renewal starting three months before expiration. Vehicle owners may renew expired registrations online if expired for less than one year, or through alternative channels for registrations expired beyond one year.

Government Agencies

Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles
Department of Administration
4001 Ingra Street, Suite 101, Anchorage, AK 99503
Phone: (907) 269-5551
Official Website: Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles

Alaska Department of Public Safety
5700 East Tudor Road, Anchorage, AK 99507
Phone: (907) 269-5511
Official Website: Alaska Department of Public Safety

Alaska State Troopers
5700 East Tudor Road, Anchorage, AK 99507
Phone: (907) 269-5511
Official Website: Alaska State Troopers

Alaska Department of Administration
P.O. Box 110200, Juneau, AK 99811-0200
Phone: (907) 465-2200
Official Website: Alaska Department of Administration