Show All Answers

1. My vehicle is registered; my state plates are still current. Why did I get this citation or notice?

The county vehicle registration is not connected with your state plates; it is issued by the Treasurer of Chesterfield County, not the Department of Motor Vehicles. This fee is included in your Personal Property Taxes.

2. What is a Chesterfield County Vehicle Registration?

This is a county registration included in your Personal Property taxes and required for all vehicles / trailers that are principally housed, parked or garaged in Chesterfield County.

3. What to do if you have received a Yellow Citation or Blue Notice?

Payment of all personal property taxes assessed or assessable may be required before a county vehicle registration may be obtained. To pay these taxes you must contact the Treasurer of Chesterfield County at 748-1201.

4. I received a letter or a summons regarding a court date. Can I avoid court?

It is possible to avoid appearing in court by obtaining a valid county registration, by paying all your outstanding Personal Property Taxes and presenting evidence of this to the License Inspector before the court date. This process can be done:

• In Person - If you obtained the registration in person, you may bring a receipt of the transaction to the License Inspector's Office:
  9800 Government Center Parkway
  Chesterfield, VA 23832
• By Email - If you paid your tax bill using the Treasurer's telephone or online payment options, you will receive a confirmation number at the completion of the transaction(s). You may email the License Inspector and provide your name, vehicle information and the confirmation number.
• By Phone - If you paid your tax bill using the Treasurer's telephone or online payment options, you will receive a confirmation number at the completion of the transaction(s). You may call us at 804-748-1229 and provide your name, vehicle information and the confirmation number.

5. What if I cannot obtain my registration before the court date?

Call 804-748-1229 and speak to the issuing inspector promptly. Last minute requests cannot be honored.

6. I got a summons to appear in court. What happens if I don’t get the county registration?

Failing to obtain a valid county vehicle registration is considered a class 4 misdemeanor and is punishable by a fine up to $250 plus any court costs. Each day the vehicle is not in compliance is considered a separate violation and can be charged separately.

7. I don’t own this vehicle anymore. What do I do?

If you have disposed of the vehicle in question, you must report this to the Department of Motor Vehicles at 804-497-7100 and the Chesterfield County Commissioner of the Revenue at 804-748-1281. After review by the Commissioner, you may still be required to obtain a registration for the vehicle for the year in question.

8. I’ve moved out of Chesterfield. What do I do?

If you have moved out of Chesterfield County, you must report this to the Department of Motor Vehicles at 804-497-7100 and the Chesterfield County Commissioner of the Revenue at 804-748-1281. After review by the Commissioner, you may still be required to obtain a registration for the vehicle for the year in question.

9. What do I do if I am active duty military?

If you are in an active duty status and your home of record is outside of the Commonwealth of Virginia, obtain a copy a copy of your Leave and Earnings Statement and contact the Commissioner of the Revenue for Chesterfield County at 804-748-1281.

10. How much do I owe?

Please contact the Treasurer at 804-748-1201 for the amount owed.

11. What do I do if I received a business license notice or citation?

Contact the License Inspector at 804-748-1229. Most businesses operating in Chesterfield County are required to obtain a business license. It appears that you are operating a business without a valid business license. This could be based on several factors: 

• You were observed conducting business as described by state and county code
• You filed paperwork that is normally only required for persons conducting business
• You were advertising or otherwise holding yourself out as being in business or a complaint received by the department

12. How do I comply with a business license notice or citation?

To comply with the notice or citation you must obtain the proper business license. Business licenses are issued by the Commissioner of the Revenue. Contact the Commissioner of the Revenue by calling 804-748-1281. Please be aware that to obtain a business license, in addition to any license fees, you must also pay all business tangible personal property taxes before the business license can be issued.

More Information

• If you have questions about completing the forms or calculating the assessed fee, please contact the Commissioner of the Revenue at 804-748-1281.
• If you have questions about the notice or citation, contact the inspector who issued the notice or citation by calling the number on your notice or citation or email the License Inspector.

13. I’m no longer in business, what do I do?

Even if you are no longer operating, you may still be considered "in business" until you notify the Commissioner of the Revenue, in writing, that you are "out of business." To provide us notification that you are out of business, please email the License Inspector and provide the date the business ceased operation and the gross receipts for the business in its last year of operation.