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California DMV Home Page is available for customers to check out publications, download forms, brochures, FAQs, Vehicle Information, Boats, Vessel, and Field Offices. Vehicle Registration Procedures for Dealers and Registration Services. You will need a federal compliant card such as a passport, military ID, or REAL ID to board a domestic flight or access some federal facilities beginning October 1, 2020. The DMV started offering REAL ID driver licenses and ID cards on January 22, 2018. A field office visit is required to apply for a REAL ID. If you purchase a vehicle in California or choose to register your out-of-state vehicle with the CA DMV, you will qualify for a non-resident vehicle license fee exemption. Please see the information below for California military residents. Vehicle Registration for CA Military Residents.
You can renew online provided you do not have any unpaid traffic tickets or delinquency fees. This will be posted on your renewal notice.
To renew online, you'll need:
- Your license plate number.
- The last 5 digits of your vehicle identification number (VIN).
- Proof of car insurance on file with the DMV.
- Proof of smog certification on file with the CA DMV.
- Payment to cover your renewal fee (credit, debit, or ATM card, or checking account number).
Skip the trip. Renew your registration online.
California DMV | |
---|---|
Online Registration Renewal | Online Registration Renewal |
Same Day Processing | Same Day Processing |
E-copy of Registration | E-copy of Registration |
Alternate Mailing Address | Alternate Mailing Address |
Phone Support | Phone Support |
Service Fee: $29.99 | Service Fee: $0 |
Renew with Third-Party | Renew with State |
DID YOU KNOW?: Proof of car insurance is REQUIRED when renewing your registration!
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By Mail
To renew by mail, you will need to provide:
- Your registration renewal form. If your address has changed, print your new address on the form.
- Proof of car insurance, if required.
- Proof of smog inspection, if required.
- Proof of payment for outstanding fees, if required.
- Check or money order for your renewal fee, made payable to the DMV.
Mail documents and payment to:
- Vehicle Registration Operations
- Department of Motor Vehicles
- P.O. Box 942869
- Sacramento, CA 94269
By Phone
You can renew your CA registration over the phone provided that:
- You have your vehicle registration renewal notice.
- Your registration renewal notice shows the correct address.
- You have no unpaid delinquency or ticket fees.
If both of the above are true, call the DMV at (800) 777-0133. You'll need your Renewal ID number (RIN) printed on your renewal notice. You'll also likely need to provide:
- Your vehicle identification number (VIN), which should be listed on your renewal notice.
- Proof of auto insurance on file with the DMV.
- Proof of emissions certification on file with the DMV.
- Your license plate number.
- A credit or debit card to pay your renewal fee.
In Person
If you wish to renew your California vehicle registration in person (or your renewal notice directs you to*), visit your local DMV office with:
- EITHER your:
- Renewal notice.
OR - Current registration certificate.
- Renewal notice.
- Your valid CA driver's license.
- If applicable, a court clearance document showing that any delinquent fees have been paid.
- Payment to cover your renewal fees (cash, check, money order, debit/ATM card).
*NOTE: You must renew in person if you owe any delinquency fees or unpaid traffic tickets.
*NOTE: If you haven't received your renewal documents, you can check the status of your registration by contacting the CA DMV.
Vehicle Registration Renewal Notice
The CA DMV will send you a renewal notice well in advance of your registration's expiration date. The notice will include such information as:
Looking for your registration's mailing status?
To get an update on your registration, head to our Status Check page, select 'California,' and choose your method of contact to get in touch with the CA DMV.
- The date of your tag's expiration.
- Renewal fees.
- Vehicle information.
- Emissions requirement.
- Delinquency fees.
- You must pay all delinquency or ticket fees listed on your renewal notice before renewing your registration.
- You will only be allowed to renew by mail or in person if you owe any extra fees.
Didn't Receive a CA Car Renewal Notice?
If you did not receive a renewal notice in the mail, either contact your local DMV office or call (800) 777-0133. To avoid missed renewal notices in the future, be sure, if you move, to update your new address with the DMV.
NOTE: Even if you don't receive a notice, you are still obligated to register on time.
For now, if you are looking to renew your registration with an alternate mailing address, you can use a 3rd party (sponsor above) to help you with your needs.
Registration Renewal Fees
The CA DMV provides an Online Fee Calculator to help you decipher your registration renewal fees.
Fees vary based on a number of factors, including:
- The year, weight, and value of your vehicle.
- Special license plate fees.
- Local county or district fees.
- Delinquency fees, such as unpaid parking tickets, must be resolved before you can renew.
After renewing your registration, you may be eligible for a tax deduction on your vehicle license fee.
Late Fees, Penalties & Fee Refunds
The California DMV assesses fees and penalties for late renewals, as well as offers a renewal fee refund in the event that you leave the state before your renewal period.
Below you can find more on both of these provisions.
Late Fees & Penalties
The CA DMV does not offer any grace period for late renewals. If you miss the deadline, you will be subject to three types of late fees:
- A percentage of your standard renewal.
- A flat late fee.
- A flat California Highway Patrol (CHP) late fee.
Late fees are charged in addition to your regular renewal cost. These fees increase over time, getting more expensive the longer you delay—so make sure you renew on time!
Renewal Fee Refunds
If you renew your vehicle registration, but then move out of California BEFORE your new renewal period is set to begin, you may be eligible for a refund of those renewal fees.
Submit an Application for Refund (Form ADM 399) along with your vehicle's registration card and sticker to the address listed on the form.
Emissions & Smog Testing
Your renewal notice will indicate if you need an emissions test.
For additional information on exemptions, testing fees, locations, and what to do if your vehicle fails the test, visit our CA Smog Test Section.
Military Registration Renewal
If your vehicle's CA registration is expiring soon and you are deployed as a member of the armed services, you may be eligible to delay payment until you return.
To be eligible, you must:
- Be a member of the Armed Forces, Armed Forces Reserve, or National Guard.
- Be temporarily deployed outside the state and engaged in combat or homeland defense purposes.
- Not be deployed solely for training, processing, or permanent change of station purposes.
- Be only applying to have the fees that you incurred during your time of deployment waived.
To have any late fees waived, you must:
- Visit your local DMV office and follow the standard registration renewal procedures (see above).
- Complete a Statement of Facts (Form REG 256), indicating your active duty status and deployment dates.
You have 60 days from the time your deployment is terminated to apply for a penalty waiver. For more information contact the CA DMV at (800) 777-0133.
It's best to schedule an appointment with the CA DMV before visiting.
Non-Operational Vehicles
If you received a renewal notice for a vehicle that you do not plan on operating (e.g. drive, park, store, or have towed) on public roads for the entire registration year, you may apply for Planned Non-Operation (PNO) status to avoid paying renewal fees.
Apply for Planned Non-Operation Status
To apply for PNO status, you must do so either:
- On or before the day your registration expires
OR - Apply up to 90 days after your registration expires and pay all accrued late fees (see above)
To apply, either mark the designated PNO box on your renewal notice. Or:
- Complete a PNO Certification (Form REG 102)
- Complete an Affidavit of Non-Use(Form REG 5090), if you plan on canceling your insurance.
Mail your renewal notice or PNO Certification to the address provided on the documentation. Or mail to:
- Department of Motor Vehicles
- P.O. Box 942869
- Sacramento, CA 94269
You may file for PNO status up to 60 days before your registration expires. Thereafter, you will receive a PNO notice every year, which you may ignore until you plan to operate your vehicle again.
Vehicle Moving Permit
You may apply for a vehicle moving permit that allows you to move or park a car on public streets for one day.
This permit is intended to be used for things like getting your emissions tested or moving a vehicle from one storage place to another.
You will not have to pay any fees, as long as it's just for the day. To apply, visit your local DMV office and:
- Complete a Vehicle Moving Permit application.
- Pay all necessary renewal fees.
Regular Use Registration
You must re-register your vehicle if you plan to return it to the road. To do so, visit your local DMV office and:
- Follow the registration renewal steps described above.
- Pay all required renewal fees.
Replacement Registration Certificates, Stickers & License Plates
If at any time your registration certificate or stickers get lost, stolen, or damaged, you need to immediately replace them.
The same is true if you need to replace lost or stolen license plates.
New to CA?
If you just moved to California and need to register your car, truck, or motorcycle, check out our California car registrations page.
Forms
This form is provided by your state's agency/department.
Please select one of the below to continue:
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Whether you have an existing car, you have just purchased a vehicle, or are moving to California, we can help you understand how to renew your vehicle or register your vehicle for the first time.
How to Register Your Vehicle in California
- Visit a local CA DMV office.
- Present proof of ownership and a smog certificate.
- Provide proof of your IDand car insurance.
- Complete an Application for Title or Registration (Form REG 343).
- Pay the $60 registration fee, $26 CHP fee, Transportation Improvement fee, title fees, and taxes.
For more details, please see below.
Make sure you have an active car insurance policy when registering your vehicle.
Compare rates and buy your policy online: Visit the Insurance Center >>
Registering a Vehicle
NOTE: For information on other types of vehicle registrations, such as off-highway vehicles and custom-built cars, please visit our Special Vehicles page. For motorcycle information, please visit our Motorcycle Registration page.
There are different processes for registering your vehicle depending on whether you bought that vehicle from a car dealership or you purchased it from a private individual.
There is also a separate process for converting a non-transferable vehicle registration to a transferable one.
Purchasing a Vehicle from a Car Dealership
With vehicles purchased from a dealership, the dealership will generally take care of all registration paperwork for you, and issue you a temporary registration certificate for you to keep in your car until your official registration arrives from the CA DMV. They may or may not issue license plates – ask your dealership beforehand what their specific process is.
![Ca dmv private registration services Ca dmv private registration services](/uploads/1/2/4/8/124889746/850054894.png)
Purchasing a Vehicle from a Private Individual
If you buy your vehicle from a private party, you have 10 days to register it. To do so, go to your local DMV office (you may make an appointment online or call (800) 777-0133 and:
- Present the vehicle title, which must also include the odometer mileage if the vehicle is less than 10 years old.
- If you cannot locate the title, you must complete an Application for Duplicate or Paperless Title (Form REG 227).
- Present a valid smog certificate. The seller is responsible for providing you with the valid smog certificate if the car is more than 4 years old.
- Smog certificates are good for 90 days after inspection. Make sure the certificate does not expire before you register the vehicle.
- The smog certificate is not required if the previous owner renewed the registration within 90 days of the vehicle sale and renewed the registration for 2 years.
- Present a valid smog certificate. The seller is responsible for providing you with the valid smog certificate if the car is more than 4 years old.
- Submit a completed Application for Title or Registration (Form REG 343).
- Pay all fees and taxes (see Registration Fees below).
Changing a Non-Transferable Registration to a Transferable Registration
A non-transferable registration in CA is given to out-of-state vehicles that are registered in California without proof of ownership (i.e. the vehicle title). These vehicles henceforth cannot be sold, transferred, or given a CA vehicle title. If you wish to buy or sell a vehicle with a non-transferable registration, you will need to have it converted to a transferable registration.
You may convert your non-transferable CA registration to a transferable registration by submitting to your local CA DMV office:
- Your current non-transferable registration card.
- The vehicle's last-issued title.
- If you do not have the title, you must submit an Application for Duplicate or Paperless Title (Form REG 227) if your vehicle was originally titled in California, or contact the DMV.
- An Application for Title or Registration (Form REG 343) and a Bill of Sale, if you are purchasing and registering a vehicle from a previous owner.
- An odometer disclosure statement for vehicles less than 10 years old.
- Proof of smog certification, if applicable.
- Payment for renewal fees, if the vehicle's registration is due for renewal within 30 days.
- Payment for any applicable transfer fees or outstanding citations.
New to California?
NOTE: This information below is also applicable to cars purchased outside of California by a CA resident, then brought to the state to be registered.
New residents to California are required to register their vehicle(s) within 20 days of establishing residency. Find your local DMV office and make an appointment to register your vehicle.
Residency in California applies to anyone who:
- Is employed in California.
- Claims tax exemptions for a home in California.
- Rents or leases a home or apartment.
- Applies for state documents (driver's license, voter registration, etc.).
- Enrolls themselves or their dependents in any type of school (college, grade school, high school, etc).
NOTE: These rules do not apply to members of the military or their families who are residents of another state.
After establishing residency in California, go to a local DMV office and submit:
- An Application for Title or Registration (Form REG 343) with the signatures of all owners, the information for any lienholders, if applicable.
- Commercial vehicles need a Declaration of Gross Vehicle Weight/Combined Gross Vehicle Weight (Form REG 4008).
- Trailers must be registered using the Permanent Trailer Identification (PTI) Application Certification (Form REG 4017).
- Proof of vehicle insurance.
- Out-of-state title, if you're transferring your title to California.
- This is not required if you are not also applying for a California title at the same time; however, the registration will be non-transferable if you do not get a California title (see Registering a Vehicle in California below for steps on how to change a non-transferable registration to a transferable one).
- Out-of-state registration.
- You may also use a registration renewal or letter showing registration from the DMV in the last state where it was registered.
- Weight certification, if required.
- Smog and emissions certification, if applicable (see Smog Checks & Inspections below).
- Payment for all fees and taxes (see below for a breakdown).
A DMV employee will perform a physical inspection of the vehicle and a VIN verification. You will receive a California registration certificate, plus license plates and registration stickers for your vehicle.
Registration Fees in CA
California has multiple fees that are required when you register a vehicle depending on different factors. If you are purchasing a vehicle from a car dealership, these fees will be a part of the total price of the vehicle. You must pay the fees directly to the CA DMV if you purchase your car from a private individual.
All vehicles must pay:
- Registration fee: $60.
- California Highway Patrol (CHP) fee: $26.
- Transportation Improvement Fee (TIF)—Based on your vehicle's value:
- $0 to $4,999: $25.
- $5,000 to $24,999: $50.
- $25,000 to $34,999: $100.
- $35,000 to $59,999: $150.
- $60,000 and up: $175.
Late Vehicle Registration Fees
Vehicles must be registered in California within 20 days after you establish residency or you will be subject to late fees determined by the duration of delinquency.
You have 10 days to register a vehicle in California after you purchase it from a private party, or you must pay late fees.
California Vehicle Registration Penalties:
- Less than 1 year: $30.
- 1 to 2 years: $50.
- More than 2 years: $100.
California Highway Patrol Fee Penalties for an original registration:
- Less than 1 year: $30.
- 1 to 2 years: $50.
- More than 2 years: $100.
All other fees vary depending on your vehicle. If you want to get a more accurate estimate of your Vehicle License Fees (VLFs) you can visit the California state site to use theirCalifornia VLF calculator to get an idea of what you will be required to pay. Any and all fines, violations, and debts to the CA DMV must be paid in full before you will be allowed to register a vehicle.
CA Smog Checks & Inspections
Almost every vehicle in California must pass a smog inspection prior to being registered. California has certain areas that require a smog certification every 2 years. New cars that are 8 years old and under located in this area will be charged a $25 smog abatement fee every year for the first 8 years of registration instead of getting a smog inspection.
The only vehicles that do not require a CA smog inspection are:
- New vehicles less than 4 years old.
- Hybrid and electric vehicles.
- Gas vehicles model year 1975 and older.
- Diesel vehicles model year 1997 and older.
- Diesel vehicles weighing more than 14,000 lbs.
- Natural gas vehicles weighing more than 14,000 lbs.
- Motorcycles.
- Trailers.
For more detailed information on California smog and emissions inspections, please visit our Smog & Emissions Check page.
CA Weight Certifications
Weight certificates are required to register some pickups and trucks in California. You can get this certificate from either a public scale or a moving company that has a vehicle scale. There will be a nominal fee to get your truck weighed, which varies by location and is based on the unladen weight of the vehicle.
Trucks requiring a weight certification are:
- Commercial vehicles with an operating weight of 6,000 lbs. or less.
You must fill out a Statement of Facts (REG 256) estimating the weight of the vehicle.
Trucks exempt from the weight certification requirements are:
- Any truck or pickup that has previously been registered in California, and the prior CA registration displays the unladen weight (the truck cannot have been changed or modified in any way that would change the printed weight on the registration).
- Trucks or pickups that weigh 6,000 lbs. or less when empty.
- Trucks with 2 or 3 axles weighing 10,001 lbs. or more.
CA License Plates
California vehicles are required to have license plates, which must have a current registration sticker in order to show that they are valid.
License plates will remain with the vehicle when bought and sold, unless they are specifically requested to be kept by the seller.
Dmv Ca Car Registration
There are a number of special interest license plates available in California, including collegiate, military, and social cause plates. Fill out the Special Interest License Plate Application to get the special license plate you would like. Please visit our guide on License Plates in California for more detailed information on standard and specialty CA license plates.
Military Vehicle Registration in California
Military service members and their families have slightly different rules for car registration depending on whether they are residents of California or not.
Non-Resident Military Vehicle Registration
Members of the Armed Forces/NATO and their families who are stationed in California are not required to get a California vehicle registration. To legally drive in the state, military service members must:
- Have valid CA auto insurance.
- Have valid license plates issued from your state/country of residence, or the state/country of your last permanent duty station (you may be required to show orders or other documentation).
- Have current registration in either your own or your spouse's name.
All out-of-state vehicle registrations must be renewed properly in the state/country where it was issued in order to be legal in California.
If you purchase a vehicle in California or choose to register your out-of-state vehicle with the CA DMV, you will qualify for a non-resident vehicle license fee exemption. Please see the information below for California military residents.
Vehicle Registration for CA Military Residents
Ca Dmv Dealer Registration Manual
California residents who are stationed outside of California can register your vehicle in whatever state you are currently stationed in, and then register it in California when you return to the state.
CA military members stationed within the state, or non-resident military members who register their vehicles with the CA DMV, are eligible for a vehicle license fee exemption. To obtain the exemption, submit the following to the CA Department of Motor Vehicles:
- Fill out and submit one of the following vehicle license fee exemption forms:
- Military members: Nonresident Military Exemption Statement (REG 5045).
- NATO members: North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Status of Forces Agreement (REG 5046).
CA resident service members stationed out of California do not qualify for the vehicle license fee exemption.
Ca Dmv Registration Handbook
California residents deployed by the military may also qualify for a deferment of payment when it is time to renew your vehicle's registration. Visit our CA Registration Renewal page for more information.
Dmv Ca Registration Renewal
Forms
This form is provided by your state's agency/department.
Please select one of the below to continue:
Email the link to this formWant to save money on car insurance?
Join 1,972,984 Americans who searched for Car Insurance Rates:
Ca Dmv Registration Procedures Manual
- Get free quotes from the nation's biggest auto insurance providers.
- Over 94% of Americans qualify for lower rates.