Can an expired registration ticket be dismissed?

Why did I not get a ticket for expired car registration for many years?

• I was pulled over many times in various states, SC, MA, GA for other reasons and not given a ticket for anything. My car registration was expired. I didnt live in any of those states. Why did they not give me a ticket for expired registration? MA asked for registration, I told the officer I couldnt find it. 2 other times in that state also had run ins but still no ticket for no registration or anything. In GA, they looked closely at my plate and saw the registration was a few years expired, but no ticket for anything. It wasnt until I was in TN and got in a fender bender that I finally got a ticket for expired registration. Why was I not ticketed for expired registration in those other states? They didnt even mention or give me a warning in MA SC GA, which is good, but I just wonder why I was not ticketed for so long? Does the expired registration ONLY apply if you are a resident of the state in which they would give you a ticket? Is it a question of jurisdiction?

• Answer:

  It's up the individual cop himself. Cops don't like to write tickets because it's a pain to try to fill in all those boxes. Unless you're a motorcycle cop. If he has to put his foot down, you're getting a ticket. Consider yourself lucky and register your car.