[CTbrooktrout]

I have a car who's registration has expired. I want to sell it - do I need to renew the registration for this?

Assuming I do...

I logged onto CT DMV website however it says I cannot renew registration because vehicle is not emissions compliant.

I'm confused as how to get the car emissions compliant in order to renew registration. Is it as simple as going to a place and getting an emissions test? However to do so, I would need to drive over with an unregistered vehicle? Or do I go to DMV and will they grant a registration without an emissions test first?

Feels like a chicken and egg situation.

I will certainly call DMV monday but just wondering if anyone has experience with this situation.

Thanks!!

[JayCT]

Uh... I can’t answer your question but you are going to have to wait until Wednesday to call. DMV is closed on Monday’s and Tuesday is Christmas. Jay

[dazzleman]

Originally Posted by CTbrooktrout

I have a car who's registration has expired. I want to sell it - do I need to renew the registration for this?

Assuming I do...

I logged onto CT DMV website however it says I cannot renew registration because vehicle is not emissions compliant.

I'm confused as how to get the car emissions compliant in order to renew registration. Is it as simple as going to a place and getting an emissions test? However to do so, I would need to drive over with an unregistered vehicle? Or do I go to DMV and will they grant a registration without an emissions test first?

Feels like a chicken and egg situation.

I will certainly call DMV monday but just wondering if anyone has experience with this situation.

Thanks!!

Just drive it with the expired registration to get the emissions test. There's no other way. I'm guessing the emissions test was supposed to have been done prior to the registration expiration. Once you have the certificate that it passed, then you can renew the registration, presumably.

What are you doing with the car now? Were you driving it prior to the registration's expiration, and did you stop driving it when the registration expired? How long ago was the expiration?

[WouldLoveTo]

You either get it trailered/towed or drive it to the testing station. They don't care if you're registered or not. But DMV cares if you have gone through emissions.

It doesn't have to be registered or have passed emissions to sell it. Having just passed emissions may help the sale though.

[CTbrooktrout]

Originally Posted by dazzleman

Just drive it with the expired registration to get the emissions test. There's no other way. I'm guessing the emissions test was supposed to have been done prior to the registration expiration. Once you have the certificate that it passed, then you can renew the registration, presumably.

What are you doing with the car now? Were you driving it prior to the registration's expiration, and did you stop driving it when the registration expired? How long ago was the expiration?

Car has been sitting mostly. I take the train to work so need for driving. I would fire it up consistently and just take it up the street and back down every now and then just to run it. There's no check engine light, it runs good.

It expired this past summer so a couple months ago.

[CTbrooktrout]

Originally Posted by WouldLoveTo

You either get it trailered/towed or drive it to the testing station. They don't care if you're registered or not. But DMV cares if you have gone through emissions.

It doesn't have to be registered or have passed emissions to sell it. Having just passed emissions may help the sale though.

Getting pulled over in an unregistered vehicle is likely a big problem. Going to trade-in in New Jersey. I suppose nothing would happen but I tend to pay for being safe than sorry.

[CTbrooktrout]

Originally Posted by JayCT

Uh... I can’t answer your question but you are going to have to wait until Wednesday to call. DMV is closed on Monday’s and Tuesday is Christmas. Jay

Actually this website says the DMV has call center hours open on Mondays: https://www.ct.gov/dmv/cwp/view.asp?a=803&q=244574

I think the offices/hubs are just closed on Mondays.

[dazzleman]

Originally Posted by CTbrooktrout

Getting pulled over in an unregistered vehicle is likely a big problem. Going to trade-in in New Jersey. I suppose nothing would happen but I tend to pay for being safe than sorry.

I think that lack of insurance on the vehicle is a much bigger issue than an expired registration. An expired registration is just a minor ticket if you get pulled over, which is unlikely in any event if you just drive it to the emissions testing place. It's up to you whether to take the risk but it seems very small to me.

[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by dazzleman

I think that lack of insurance on the vehicle is a much bigger issue than an expired registration. An expired registration is just a minor ticket if you get pulled over, which is unlikely in any event if you just drive it to the emissions testing place. It's up to you whether to take the risk but it seems very small to me.

An expired registration is a $118 infraction and that’s if the cop feels like writing you for it. They very well may not. Worst case, the vehicle can be towed and plates seized, but I doubt any CT cop world do that for a simple unregistered vehicle. Yes, lack of insurance is a much bigger deal and is a misdemeanor summons, not just a ticket. And you can guarantee your car will be towed.

[Stylo]

I once had my insurance jacked up because of an expired registration ticket