As in all states it is illegal to operate a car on the roadways without properly registering the vehicle with the state in which you are residing and driving the vehicle. As you know in North Carolina their laws say that all self-propelled vehicles and all vehicles without active power designed for carrying passengers or property and for being pulled by self-propelled vehicles, exclusive of those specifically exempt, are subject to registration.
Every owner of a vehicle which is to be operated upon any street or highway of North Carolina and not exempt from registration shall before the operation apply to the Division for a certificate of title and a registration plate and attach the registration plate to the vehicle.
North Carolina General Statutes 20‑111 notes the violation of registration provisions. Here it states that it is unlawful for any person to drive a vehicle on a highway, or knowingly permit a vehicle owned by that person to be driven on a highway, when the vehicle is not registered with the Division or does not display a current registration plate. The penalties are not listed here so we continue to look at NC laws.
[Let CarInsurance.com help you find affordable auto insurance now.] NC Statute 20‑118.3 is titled vehicle or combination of vehicles operated without registration plate subject to civil penalty. Here it states that:
Any vehicle or combination of vehicles being operated upon the highway of this State either by a resident or nonresident without having been issued therefore a registration plate by the appropriate jurisdiction shall be subject to a civil penalty equal to the North Carolina annual fee for the gross weight of the vehicle and in addition thereto the license fee applicable for the remainder of the current registration year, provided a nonresident shall pay the North Carolina license fee or furnish satisfactory proof of payment of required registration fee to its base jurisdiction.
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So it appears you would be facing a civil penalty equal to the registration fee for your vehicle type in addition to the applicable amount that you should have paid for the current year's registration period. You can contact the NC Department of Transportation to find out how much the registration fees would be for your type of vehicle. If you were cited for driving without registration in North Carolina you can also contact the court listed on your ticket to find out if the registration fee is your only penalty or if you will be required to also pay a fine and/or other fees.
If you also need car insurance to get your vehicle properly registered in North Carolina and be legal to operate on the roadways you can click here for affordable auto insurance quote. | 
