The Alabama Department of Revenue announced Wednesday the September 2011 motor vehicle registration deadline has been extended through Oct. 20 for vehicle owners.

ADOR said Alabama vehicle owners whose registration month is September will not be subject to delinquent penalties for late vehicle registration or delinquent penalty and interest charges for late payment of vehicle property tax if registration is completed during the extension period. The renewal extension also applies to individuals who have recently purchased or acquired a vehicle but have not registered it within the 20-day registration period.

With the recent long lines inside the Dallas County Courthouse last week for tag renewals, due to the Alabama Legislature’s new immigration law and requirements, Dallas County Probate Judge Kim Ballard said the mandated extension is beneficial.

“It’s absolutely a good thing,” Ballard said. “We had a nightmare in here Friday … the same for those all around the counties who had not heard about the new immigration law. We did walk up and down the line to make sure everyone had what they needed … it was very frustrating.”

On Sept. 28, U.S. District Judge Sharon Lovelace Blackburn issued a ruling upholding sections of Alabama’s immigration law, which require proof of citizenship or lawful presence before applying for an Alabama license plate and conducting related motor vehicle registration and certificate of title transactions.

Ballard said he felt for those who were frustrated by new identification requirements.

“It took so much time,” Ballard said. “I felt bad.”

Ballard said the backlog has eased up some since the new law went into effect Thursday.

“It’s probably 15 people in line right now … the backing is much better,” Ballard said. “We always have long lines on the first and last day of the month, which is predictable, and the line usually moves a lot faster. Lines were longer due to all the requirements per the immigration law.”

And for those who stood in line last week but had to pay late fees to meet the Oct. 1 deadline for tag renewals, Ballard said those individuals are eligible for a refund.

“The penalty people had to pay was paid in error … the penalty will be subject to refund,” Ballard said. “Contact the tag office for penalty on September registration.”
The Alabama Department of Revenue announced Wednesday the September 2011 motor vehicle registration deadline has been extended through Oct. 20 for vehicle owners.

ADOR said Alabama vehicle owners whose registration month is September will not be subject to delinquent penalties for late vehicle registration or delinquent penalty and interest charges for late payment of vehicle property tax if registration is completed during the extension period. The renewal extension also applies to individuals who have recently purchased or acquired a vehicle but have not registered it within the 20-day registration period.