Logan County warns drivers: expired temp tags bring late fees

Logan County warned drivers that letting a temporary tag expire before a vehicle is registered can trigger late fees. The county’s Recorder’s Notes said Colorado law requires vehicles to be registered within 60 days after purchase, and an unregistered vehicle can rack up $25 for each month, or portion of a month, it stays out of compliance.

Colorado DMV guidance backs up that deadline by saying temporary registrations are generally valid for up to 60 days from the date of purchase. The state also says failure to register on time can lead to late fees of $25.00 per month, capped at $100.00 per vehicle, while Logan County’s notice tied the issue to House Bill 22-1254 and the state’s late-fee exemption changes.

For buyers who purchased a vehicle from a Colorado dealership and received the title complete notice postcard, Logan County said first-time registration can be completed online through myDMV. Private-party purchases still have to be handled in person at the Logan County Motor Vehicle Office, 315 Main Street in Sterling, where the title is changed and the vehicle is plated.

The county also said a buyer can drive without registration for 36 hours with a bill of sale, but the temporary grace period does not erase the registration deadline. Sellers were warned to remove license plates before selling a car, because if the plates stay on the vehicle and the buyer drives away, the seller can be left liable for tickets, tolls or fines.

The reminder fit a practical need in Logan County, where residents depend on personal vehicles for work, school, farm travel and family trips. Temporary tags are meant to bridge the gap between purchase and permanent paperwork, but the county’s notice made clear that missing the deadline carries a real cost.