§17A-3-16. Expiration of registration and certificates of title.

(a) Every vehicle registration under this chapter and every registration card and registration plate issued under this chapter expires at midnight on the last day of the month designated by the commissioner: Provided, That the commissioner may extend the period during which the registration plates may be used.

Certificates of title need not be renewed annually but remain valid until canceled by the division for cause or upon a transfer of any interest shown in the vehicle.

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section or of any provision of this chapter, the commissioner shall adopt a staggered registration system whereby the registration of Class A motor vehicles is for a period of twelve consecutive calendar months, the expiration dates of the registrations to be staggered throughout the year: Provided, That on or after July 1, 1997, the commissioner shall also offer an optional two-year registration system whereby the registration of all vehicles shall be for a period of twenty-four consecutive calendar months, the expiration dates of the registrations to be staggered throughout the year. Under this option, all annual fees due at the time of registration shall be multiplied by two.

(1) On or after July 1, 1997, all Class A motor vehicles as defined in section one, article ten of this chapter shall be registered for a period of twelve or twenty-four consecutive calendar months. There hereby are established twelve registration periods, each of which shall start on day one of each calendar month of the year and shall end on the last day of month twelve from date of beginning. The period ending on January 31 is designated the first period; that ending on February 28 or 29 is designated the second; that ending on March 31 is designated the third; that ending on April 30 is designated the fourth; that ending on May 31 is designated the fifth; that ending on June 30 is designated the sixth; that ending on July 31 is designated the seventh; that ending on August 31 is designated the eighth; that ending on September 30 is designated the ninth; that ending on October 31 is designated the tenth; that ending on November 30 is designated the eleventh; and that ending on December 31 is designated the twelfth.

(2) All Class A motor vehicles, which are operated for the first time upon the public highways of this state to and including day fifteen of any given month are subject to registration and payment of the fee for the twelve- or 24-month period commencing day one of the month of operation. All Class A motor vehicles operated for the first time upon the public highways of this state on and after day sixteen of any given month are subject to registration and payment of fee for the twelve- or 24-month period commencing day one of the month of the next following calendar month.

(c) On or before July 1, 1996, all Class T and Class R vehicles shall be registered for a maximum period of three years or portion thereof based on the number of years remaining in the three year period designated by the commissioner.

(d) On or before July 1, 2000, all Class C trailers shall be registered for the duration of the owner's interest in the trailer and shall not expire until either sold or otherwise permanently removed from the service of the owner.

(e) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section or of any other provision of this chapter to the contrary, the commissioner shall on or before July 1, 2010, offer an optional two-year registration for Class G vehicles. The commissioner may offer extended prorated registration renewal cycles to accommodate changes in designated expiration dates.