If your Connecticut registration sticker was not received even after you submitted your registration renewal, you will need to rectify the problem as soon as possible. If you do not, you may still be subject to penalties. All eligible vehicles in the state must have up-to-date registrations or proof of registration in the vehicle. Once a new registration has been requested or an existing one has been renewed, you must allow a few days for the new documents to arrive.

It is important to understand the rules and regulations specific to Connecticut to help avoid unnecessary penalties or late fees. In 2010, a law was passed that made the issuance of registration stickers not mandatory. This has led to CT no longer issuing plate stickers with a vehicle’s registration. While a DMV sticker not received in the mail will typically be due to the fact that stickers are no longer issued, your registration certificate may also be lost, in which case it will need to be replaced.

Common Reasons for a Registration Sticker Not Being Received in Connecticut

You can apply for your registration certificate online, by mail or in person at a local DMV office. In most cases, your registration will be available as soon as you apply. However, if you apply by mail, you will have to wait for the certificate to be sent to you. There are a few reasons why a registration card or license plate sticker not received in the mail can get lost. Unforeseen shipping errors, incorrect information on your application and the changes in the law can all lead to missing documents.

  • Compliance issues – The state of Connecticut makes it mandatory for all vehicles to adhere to compliance guidelines in order to be registered. You can check for any compliance issues online and make sure your vehicle was cleared for renewal. If it was not, your application may have been rejected.
  • Incorrect address – A change in address may cause a registration certificate to go missing. Make sure all of your contact information at the CT DMV is updated and correct.
  • New laws – The recent law, removing the CT DMV registration sticker from circulation, means they will no longer be mailed to applicants. However, missing registration cards and other vehicle documents that are lost in the mail will need replacing.

Can I legally drive if my Connecticut registration sticker was not received?

If you drive a vehicle that does not have a current registration, you may be subject to fees and penalties. This includes the possibility of having your vehicle impounded. Regardless of whether a DMV registration card was not received in the mail, law enforcement officers will still require proof of the renewal if you are pulled over. While stickers are not mandatory in Connecticut, current registrations are. A plate sticker typically acts as a quick indicator of a current registration. However, license plates readers in CT enable police officers to recognize unregistered vehicles if required.

The CT DMV allows applicants to renew registration documents days after the expiration date of their current registration. However, if a registration is not renewed within a certain number of days of the expiration date, a late fee will be charged. After 30 days have passed, applicants are no longer allowed to renew their registration sticker documents online in the state.

Additional Consequences of a Car Sticker Not Received Connecticut

The fact that a car tag sticker is no longer mandatory does not mean that drivers should not renew their registration cards. If you have not received a new registration certificate, you need to follow up with the DMV to make sure your registration was actually processed. Registrations that have compliance issues cannot be renewed and will therefore expire. Depending on how long the vehicle has been unregistered, the required documents and fines will differ. Fees for a car license plate sticker renewal increase with the number of years that it has been unregistered.

Steps to Take If Your Connecticut DMV Sticker Was Not Received

If an application was processed but a license certificate was not received, it could mean it was lost in the mail. If you have not received your documents in the standard mailing time, you must complete the following steps:

  • Check your application status – Drivers need to check with the CT DMV that all renewal applications were processed in full.
  • Reprint your certificate – The quickest way to obtain a new registration certificate is to reprint one using the CT DMV’s online customer portal.
  • Order a duplicate certificate – You can order a DMV certificate replacement by mail and have it resent to you. Additional fees may apply.

Where to Get Registration Sticker Replacements in Connecticut

You can replace certificates online by reprinting them via the CT DMV customer portal. You will need your personal contact details and vehicle information to complete the process. Make sure you print the final document and keep it in the vehicle at all times.

Alternatively, you can also apply for duplicate certificates by mail or in person at a full-service branch or satellite office near you. You can search for a local office via the CT DMV website. It is important to note that reprinting certificates and ordering duplicate certificates are not complimentary services and will incur a charge. The standard replacement fee is $20. If you lose your licence plate, you will need to pay $25, unless you file a police report. In that case, you will only need to pay $5.

Last updated on Tuesday, March 10 2020.