Verified Ind. Code §9-18.1-11-2 · Checked July 2026 · 2 sources
What an expired-registration ticket costs in Indiana
Citation data · First offense Ind. Code §9-18.1-11-2
Class C infraction, up to $500
Operating a vehicle with expired license plates is a Class C infraction in Indiana (Ind. Code §9-18.1-11-2), a civil violation with a judgment of up to $500 (Ind. Code §34-28-5-4(c)), with the actual amount set by the court.
Verified July 2026
By Mario Bailey
What to do now
- 1
Renew your plates
The violation is a civil infraction against the registration requirement (Ind. Code §9-18.1-11-2); the penalty is monetary, not jail.
- 2
Know the exposure
The maximum judgment is $500 plus court costs under Ind. Code §34-28-5-4, with the actual amount set by the court; courts commonly assess far less.
Is driving on expired tags a crime in Indiana?
No, a Class C infraction is civil, not criminal. The exposure is a judgment of up to $500 plus court costs, not jail.
Frequently asked questions
How much is an expired-plates ticket in Indiana?
It is a Class C infraction with a maximum judgment of $500 under Ind. Code §34-28-5-4; courts commonly assess far less, but the statute allows up to that cap plus costs.
Do expired plates add points to your license in Indiana?
The violation is a civil infraction against the registration requirement (Ind. Code §9-18.1-11-2) rather than a moving violation, the penalty is monetary.
Sources
This summary was checked against the following sources on the date shown above. Fines and fees change, verify before relying on specifics.
Other tickets in Indiana
Driving Without Insurance in Indiana
Expired Registration: other states
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General legal information, not legal advice. Statutes and penalty schedules summarized from the sources above as of July 2026.