Missouri Expired Tags Ticket: $5 to $500 (2026)

What an expired-registration ticket costs in Missouri

Citation data · First offense RSMo §301.440

Infraction, $5–$500 fine

Missouri’s registration chapter has a catch-all penalty: violations of the registration provisions (RSMo §§301.010–301.440) with no specific punishment are infractions punishable by a fine of not less than $5 and not more than $500 (RSMo §301.440). The court sets the amount within that range.

Verified July 2026

What to do now

1

Renew your plates

Expired plates fall under the registration chapter’s catch-all penalty (RSMo §301.440), which classifies the violation as an infraction despite being widely described online as a misdemeanor.
2

Expect a court-set fine

The statutory range is $5 to $500 plus court costs; the actual figure comes from the court handling the citation.

Same range Repeat offense

None stated License / registration

Note: amounts vary within the statutory $5–$500 range, set by the court, the figures above are the statutory frame, not a quote.

Is driving on expired tags a crime in Missouri?

No, despite being widely described online as a misdemeanor, the catch-all in RSMo §301.440 classifies it as an infraction, punishable by a $5–$500 fine.

Frequently asked questions

Is driving with expired plates a misdemeanor in Missouri?

No, under the registration chapter’s catch-all penalty (RSMo §301.440), it is an infraction punishable by a fine of $5 to $500, with the court setting the amount.

How much is an expired-plates ticket in Missouri?

The statutory range is $5 to $500 plus court costs; the actual figure comes from the court handling the citation.

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 Missouri

Expired Registration: other states

General legal information, not legal advice. Statutes and penalty schedules summarized from the sources above as of July 2026.