If you count yourself among those who traditionally procrastinate to the point of endangerment, you have a friend in the Michigan Secretary of State’s office in Lansing.
Secretary of State Ruth Johnson Tuesday encouraged lawmakers to approve legislation that would eliminate fears about receiving a ticket for an expired plate tab if motorists waited until the last minute to renew their vehicle registration.
Johnson testified in front of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in favor of House Bill 4535, sponsored by Rep. Curt VanderWall of Ludington, which gives vehicle owners a 30-day grace period to place their tab on the license plate after they renewed the vehicle’s registration. Motorists have received traffic tickets because they renewed online or by mail and had not yet received their new tab when they were pulled over by law enforcement.
Secretary of State Johnson says, “Michigan residents already can renew their vehicle plates online or by mail right up to the expiration deadline – and even afterward.” Now, however, she says, “We’re making it clear that no tickets should be issued if the person didn’t get the tab in the mail in time.”
The legislation addresses the concerns that motorists are ultimately being penalized for choosing to renew at the end of their renewal cycle and for choosing to renew online or by mail, none of which is illegal. Additionally, recent changes to the U.S. Postal Service’s Michigan operations have contributed to the issue, resulting in longer mail deliveries, including the time it takes to move mail to and from the Secretary of State’s main customer service center in the Lansing area.
Johnson says, “I encourage lawmakers to approve this legislation swiftly so that Secretary of State customers can be confident that their registrations won’t be questioned if they renew on their birthday.” She adds, “We want people to hop online, not in line, with our print ‘n go technology, it’s painless. In today’s busy world, it can be easy to leave renewing your tabs until the last minute. ExpressSOS.com provides customers with a convenient way to renew quickly and keep their vehicle registration in compliance.”
Motorists who renew online receive a receipt that can be shown to law enforcement officers to show they have renewed their vehicle registration. Additionally, most law enforcement agencies can verify electronically if the vehicle’s plate has been renewed or is actually expired.
House Bill 4535 was heard in the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee yesterday and may be voted on as early as next week. Stay tuned.
