What would likely happen if a vehicle was found to have expired registration during an inspection?

When a vehicle is found to have expired registration during an inspection, it is important to recognize that registration is a legal requirement for operating a vehicle on public roads. Being in possession of up-to-date registration signifies that the vehicle's owner has fulfilled necessary administrative obligations, such as paying fees and ensuring compliance with state regulations.

If the registration is expired, authorities typically view this as a violation of vehicle regulations. Consequently, the vehicle may receive a citation, which is a formal notice of the infraction, or it may be flagged for further investigation, depending on the policies of the inspecting authority. This generally does not lead to the vehicle being immediately towed or passed for inspection, as operating an unregistered vehicle can pose legal issues and safety concerns.

The other options presented do not align with standard regulatory practices. A vehicle cannot pass inspection with expired registration, as this would undermine the intent of the inspection process, which is to ensure that all aspects of vehicle operation comply with the law. Furthermore, while updating insurance is important, it is not directly related to the issue of vehicle registration and would not be a required outcome of the inspection.