Fines for driving unregistered vehicles have accelerated in NSW since the removal of car registration stickers in 2013, with hapless motorists blaming the state government for not sending reminders to renew registration.

Fines for driving unregistered in NSW, worth more than $240 million in state revenue over the past six years, are up from about 60,000 to 65,000 last year. There was a sharp jump in fines when registration stickers were first removed in 2013, and five years on they remained elevated, suggesting drivers have not adjusted to the new system.

Erasing rego stickers was sold as a "making life easier" measure but many drivers told The Sun-Herald it served as an everyday reminder. They say they were not contacted, reminded by post, email or SMS before NSW Police pulled them over and gave them two fines – one for being unregistered and one for being uninsured, worth $673 each.

Steven Morris was hit with $1700 in fines due to driving an unregistered vehicle. Credit:James Alcock

Steven Morris, 56, from Naremburn was shocked when told by a police officer that his car had been unregistered for three months and therefore uninsured. He expects to pay more than $1700 for fines, new number plates, and mechanic fees for a roadworthiness certificate because it was more than three months past the rego date.