CVC 5204Eligible for written declarationCorrectable

Registration Sticker Not Displayed

Not displaying current month and year registration tabs on the rear license plate (the front plate for truck tractors and commercial motor vehicles of 10,001 pounds or more), or displaying expired tabs.

Reviewed by the TicketClear teamLast reviewed October 10, 2026

Fine: $193, or $25 if correctedDMV Points: None✓ Correctable

This guide is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. TicketClear is a self-help document preparation service — we are not attorneys and do not represent clients. Review all prepared documents carefully before submitting. Fine amounts are estimates and vary by county and surcharge schedule.

What is a Registration Sticker Not Displayed ticket?

CVC 5204(a)(1) says current month and year tabs shall be attached to the rear license plate assigned to the vehicle (the front plate for truck tractors and commercial motor vehicles with a declared gross vehicle weight of 10,001 pounds or more), and vehicles that fail to display current tabs or display expired tabs are in violation. Under 5204(a)(2), operative from July 1, 2024, to January 1, 2030, a violation shall not be the sole basis for enforcement action before the second month after the month the registration expired, unless the vehicle is stopped for another violation. Under 5204(c), subdivision (a) does not apply when proper application for registration has been made under Section 4602 and the new indicia have not been received from the DMV. Under 5204(e), before issuing a citation the officer shall verify, using available DMV records, that no current registration exists for the vehicle, and a citation shall not be issued against a vehicle that has a current registration on file with the DMV.

Ask your insurer how a conviction affects your policy.

What the Law Says

(a) (1) Except as provided by subdivisions (b) and (c), a tab shall indicate the year of expiration and a tab shall indicate the month of expiration. Current month and year tabs shall be attached to the rear license plate assigned to the vehicle for the last preceding registration year in which license plates were issued, and, when so attached, the license plate with the tabs shall, for the purposes of this code, be deemed to be the license plate, except that truck tractors, and commercial motor vehicles having a declared gross vehicle weight of 10,001 pounds or more, shall display the current month and year tabs upon the front license plate assigned to the truck tractor or commercial motor vehicle. Vehicles that fail to display current month and year tabs or display expired tabs are in violation of this section. (2) (A) (i) A violation of paragraph (1) shall not be the sole basis for any enforcement action before the second month after the month of expiration of the vehicle’s registration. (ii) Notwithstanding clause (i), if a vehicle is stopped for any other violation of this code, enforcement action for a violation of paragraph (1) may be taken before the second month following the month of expiration. (B) This paragraph shall be operative from July 1, 2024, to January 1, 2030, inclusive. (b) The requirement of subdivision (a) that the tabs indicate the year and the month of expiration does not apply to fleet vehicles subject to Article 9.5 (commencing with Section 5301) or vehicles defined in Section 468. (c) Subdivision (a) does not apply when proper application for registration has been made pursuant to Section 4602 and the new indicia of current registration have not been received from the department. (d) This section is enforceable against any motor vehicle that is driven, moved, or left standing upon a highway, or in an offstreet public parking facility, in the same manner as provided in subdivision (a) of Section 4000. (e) Prior to issuing a citation for a violation of this section, a law enforcement officer shall verify, using available department records, that no current registration exists for that vehicle. A citation shall not be issued for failure to comply with this section against any vehicle that has a current registration on file with the department.

What the Officer Must Prove

1Your vehicle did not display current month and year tabs on the plate CVC 5204(a)(1) requires, or displayed expired tabs
2No exception in CVC 5204 applied

Arguments Commonly Raised for Registration Sticker Not Displayed

General information: arguments drivers commonly raise for this code section. Whether any applies depends on your own facts.

Current registration on file

CVC 5204(e) says a citation shall not be issued against a vehicle that has a current registration on file with the DMV, and that the officer shall verify DMV records first. Include your registration record for the citation date.

Application made, tabs not received

CVC 5204(c) says subdivision (a) does not apply when proper application for registration has been made under Section 4602 and the new indicia have not been received. Include the DMV receipt.

Second month after expiration

CVC 5204(a)(2) says that, from July 1, 2024, to January 1, 2030, a violation shall not be the sole basis for enforcement action before the second month after the month of expiration, unless the vehicle is stopped for another violation.

Correction

If your notice is marked correctable and you present proof of correction, certified as Vehicle Code 40616 describes, by mail or in person on or before the date on your notice, the court shall dismiss the charge (Vehicle Code 40522). The clerk collects a $25 transaction fee unless the notice is processed only by the agency that issued it (Vehicle Code 40611).

⚠️ Common Mistakes

✗Not keeping the DMV receipt for your registration
✗Not photographing the plate with the current tabs attached

What this code section covers (general information)

CVC 5204 — Registration Sticker Not Displayed. Not displaying current month and year registration tabs on the rear license plate (the front plate for truck tractors and commercial motor vehicles of 10,001 pounds or more), or displaying expired tabs.

Eligible for Trial by Written Declaration: generally yes.

This is general information about CVC 5204. It is not advice about your citation, and TicketClear does not evaluate anyone's facts. Whether any of it applies depends on your own facts. For advice about your situation, consult a licensed California attorney.

Frequently Asked Questions About Registration Sticker Not Displayed

Can I get a sticker ticket if my registration was current?▼

CVC 5204(e) says a citation shall not be issued for failure to comply with this section against any vehicle that has a current registration on file with the DMV.

Ready to prepare your documents?

Upload your citation and TicketClear prepares your Trial by Written Declaration documents from the details you provide. Just $49.99 for any eligible California ticket.

Check if my ticket qualifies

Takes 2 minutes. No payment required to check.

Related Violations

CVC 5201 CVC 4000(a)(1)

How to Clear This Fix-It Ticket

CVC 5204 fix-it ticket: what to repair, who signs off and how to file the proof →