With so many cars on the road, there are bound to be unregistered cars, which leads us to ask the question; What are unregistered cars? An unregistered car in simple terms is any vehicle without valid registration/ licensed plates on it, it could as well mean the license plates are expired.
Unregistered cars, irrespective of the type of conditions attached to them should be parked on private property, in the driveway, or even in a garage. However, depending on the local law of your city, some unregistered cars cannot be parked in the driveway for more than 30days.
Car registration is usually done in the name of the owner which serves as a means to identify the owner. There are various reasons why a can be unregistered, it could be that it is new and the owner hasn’t been able to get a license or it is old and worn without chances of repairs, and many more.
However, in some cases, some vehicles can be exempted to operate without registration. Some of them are; trailers, cars/ trailers being towed on a road by a registered truck, agricultural equipment, bulk fruit bins, etc.
Can I Park my Unregistered Car?
Yes, you can park your unregistered car. Unregistered cars can be parked but must not be driven on a public road, and just as there are different strokes for different people, there are regulations guiding the parking of unregistered cars in certain areas.
In some states, before you can park a car without registration, it must be in good condition, good condition meaning no part of the door, the window is broken or missing, the tire isn’t deflated.
In the case where the car doesn’t satisfy the good condition test, ensure that it isn’t hazardous to the people and must be covered properly.
Where Can I Park My Unregistered Car?
Many states have precise laws about where you can park your unregistered car. Irrespective of the state, for a car to be parked in a public space it must be registered, so if an unregistered car can’t be parked in a public area where can it be parked?
Good question, an unregistered car can be parked on private property, it could be in the driveway, garage, or a storage facility.
For some cities, the car shouldn’t be visible to the public eye, therefore should be parked in a fully enclosed structure. In all, the best way to be sure is to check with the authorities what the laws are for your location.
Where is the Best Place to Park an Unregistered Car?
The best of all places to park an unregistered car is on your property. Nothing beats you being able to monitor your car, a registered car needs monitoring, an unregistered car also needs monitoring especially one in good working condition.
You wouldn’t want to leave your car out on the street or public parking lot where it can easily be towed away or considered as scrap by some people. Unregistered cars are not safe out there, period.
How Long Can I Park an Unregistered Car?
It is important to find out the laws and ordinances of the state you are resident in, what applies in one state doesn’t apply to the other.
You can always log onto your DVM website and fill out a form stating you have canceled your registration and will not be driving the car for a period of time.
An unlicensed car can also be parked for a period of 30days after which it becomes a violation of the law.
If after some time you decide you want to drive the car, you can always go back to change the information on the form, you can also extend the period with which you won’t be driving the car.
Can You Park an Unregistered Car in Your Driveway?
Yes, an unregistered car can be parked in your driveway. Some states require vehicles to be registered before they can be parked on your property while others are fine with it so far it’s on your property and not a public road.
However, for some, it is also required that for it to be parked in your driveway it must be properly covered.
Benefits of Registering a car
Car registration is a way to establish a link between the owner and the car, this comes with benefits both to the owner and government.
Let’s see some of the benefits below:
1. Proof of Ownership
Car registration anywhere is legal proof that the car belongs to you. This is very useful when you are getting a car previously owned by someone else, it shows that you’re the new owner recognized by law.
Without a license which is the certificate of ownership, you won’t be a recognized owner.
2. No trouble from the Authorities
For instance, let’s say you are traveling out of town and you get pulled over where you’re required to present proof that the car belongs to you but unfortunately you couldn’t.
That’s trouble for you, if only you had registered your car, that could have been avoided.
3. It can Easily be Traced
In case of criminal activity where the owner isn’t really forthcoming with information, government officials can easily run the plate number and get the needed information.
All the information needed about the car and owner can be gotten without any hassle.
Can I Park an Unregistered Car in my Driveway in Florida?
No, you cannot park an unregistered car in your driveway. Florida unlike some other cities does not allow the parking of an unregistered car in the driveway.
All unregistered cars must be kept and stored in an enclosed place out of sight. For a car without a license to be parked in the driveway, it must be there with permission from the authorities.
Can I have an Unregistered car in my Driveway in Massachusetts?
Yes, an unregistered car can be in the driveway in Massachusetts, but only one unregistered car can be there at a time. In other parts, however, the condition of having more than one car in the driveway is that it won’t be visible to the public.