Frequently Asked Questions

You will be unable to renew your car registration if it is suspended, or if your driving privileges are suspended.

Keep in mind that California does not provide a grace period if you let your car registration expire. For specific information about car registration fees, see California Car Registration Fees and Fee Calculator. For more information: How to Renew Your Vehicle Registration in California

No, only you can renew your California vehicle registration, not another individual. There are four methods to renew vehicle reigstration: by phone, online, in person or by mail. The methods you are eligible for are printed in the registration renewal notice.

For more information: How to Renew Your Vehicle Registration in California

Most boats in California must be registered. However, there are a few exceptions to the rule:

• Vessels used in California for racing
• Vessels currently registered by another state, mainly used elsewhere
• A ship s lifeboat
• Nonmotorized sailboats, must be eight feet long or less
• Nonmotorized surfboat with a sail and mast that operator holds upright

For more information: How to Register a Boat or Water Craft in California

Although it is not necessary, the California Department of Motor Vehicles highly recommends that you do file a police report if your car registration is lost or stolen. For more information: How to Replace a Vehicle Registration in California

The state of California does not require drivers to surrender license plates when they are moving to a different state. It’s recommended that you choose the new state you will be moving to from the list above to learn about getting a new:

• Driver’s License.
• Vehicle Registration.
• Auto insurance policy.

For more information: California Vehicle Registration – How to Register your Vehicle

Yes, if you have your damaged registration with you, then you should present it to the California Department of Motor Vehicles, so you can obtain duplicate car registration.

For more information: How to Replace a Vehicle Registration in California

No, a motorized scooter does not need to be registered in the state of California. Motorized scooters also do not need to be insured, although it is recommended in the event of an accident. You also have the option of purchasing an affordable accident coverage policy.

Find more information: California Vehicle Registration – How to Register your Vehicle

Most vehicles in the state of California must undergo and pass a smog inspection when getting car registration. However, there are certain vehicles exempt from this requirement, such as the following:

• Hybrid vehicles
• Electric vehicles
• Vehicles less than four years old
• Trailers
• Motorcycles
• 1975 model year or older gas vehicles
• 14,001 lbs or more natural gas vehicles
• 1,4001 lbs or more diesel vehicles

For more information: Vehicle Emissions Testing in California

For more about getting vehicle registration: California Vehicle Registration – How to Register your Vehicle

The state of California allows you to get car registration renewal in one of four ways: online, by mail, in person or over the phone.

Online

You can renew car registration online by visiting the California Department of Motor Vehicles Registration Renewals webpage.

By Mail

To renew your vehicle registration, send your Application for Title or Registration, along with any required fees to this address:

Vehicle Registration Operations Department of Motor Vehicles P.O. Box 942869 Sacramento, CA 94269-0001

You may also need to send proof of your car insurance and smog inspection. However, if you have any doubts, it is best to contact the California Department of Motor Vehicles at 1-800-777-0133.

In Person

When renewing your car registration at a local DMV office, make sure to bring the following documents with you:

• Your registration renewal notice
• Your California driver s license
• Payment for a renewal fee

By Phone

Complete your registration renewal process over the phone by calling the CA DMV at 1-800-921-1117. Have the following items readily available:

• Your license plate number
• Your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)

For more information: How to Renew Your Vehicle Registration in California

To transfer your vehicle registration to a different state, you must abide by the registration rules and requirements of where you are moving to. Choose your state of residence from the list above and select the California Vehicle Registration – How to Register your Vehicle page for more details.

If you are new to California, you must first get auto insurance that complies with CA minimum insurance requirements. Visit California Car Insurance Regulations for more details.

Make an appointment at your nearby DMV office and bring your valid out-of-state vehicle registration certificate, proof of CA insurance and your valid driver’s license.

You can apply for a new driver’s license at the same time.

For more information: California Car Registration Fees and Fee Calculator

Disabled Person Placard

In order to apply for a disabled person or handicap placard, you will need to complete the following:

• Submit a filled out Application for Disabled Person Placard or Plates (REG 195). Make sure that your licensed physician has completed and signed the Doctor s Certification portion.
• Make payment for fees if requesting a temporary placard.

Send out the application to the following address:

DMV Placard P.O. Box 932345 Sacramento, CA 94232-3450

Disabled Person Plates

In order to apply for disabled person license plates, you will need to complete the following:

• Submit a filled out Application for Disabled Person Placard or Plates (REG 195). Make sure that your licensed physician has completed and signed the Doctor s Certification portion.
• Provide proof of car registration and make sure registration payment fees are up to date.
• Surrender your current plates.

For more information: Information for Disabled Drivers in California

For more about getting vehicle registration: California Vehicle Registration – How to Register your Vehicle

You can file a police report by contacting your local authorities and notifying them when your car registration is lost or stolen. You can also schedule to speak to an officer in person about your stolen car registration if you feel more comfortable doing so. This will help reduce the chances of identity theft and/or fraud.

Bring the police report in with you to the DMV office to see about getting the replacement fee waived.

For more information:How to Replace a Vehicle Registration in California

To replace lost car registration or stolen car registration, then you will have to apply for a replacement in person. The process is rather simple and will only require you to complete the following steps:

• Submit the damaged card, if readily available.
• Fill out an Application for Replacement Plates, Stickers, Documents (REG 156)
• Proof of identity, such as your drivers license.
• Proof of ownership, such as your car title.
• Pay any necessary fee.

If you prefer to send this documentation by mail, you can do so to the below address:

Department of Motor Vehicles Registration Operations PO Box 942869 Sacramento, California 94269-0001

If you need to obtain replacement license plates, you can send any remaining plates to this address as well.

For more information:How to Replace a Vehicle Registration in California

The process to register your vehicle depends on whether your car was bought from a dealership, through a private party or if you recently moved to California. Below we explore the different scenarios for DMV car registration.

Car Purchased from a Dealership

If you bought your car from a dealership, then you can rest easy knowing that they will take care of all the required registration paperwork for you. As you await your permanent registration card in the mail, you will be issued a temporary certificate to use in the meantime.

Car Purchased from a Private Party

If you bought your car from a private individual, then you will be required to visit your local DMV and submit the following registration paperwork:

• Your original car title with odometer mileage listed
• A form of identification, such as your driver s license
• Payment for any required fees
• A valid smog certificate, which should be handed to you from the seller. However, this document will not be necessary if the seller recently renewed the car registration within the past 90 days.

Also review the following related pages:

• How to transfer a car title
• How to get a Bill of Sale
• Car insurance requirements

New Residents of California

If you recently moved to California, you will need to present the following documentation to register your vehicle:

• A completed Application for Title or Registration
• Payment for any required fees
• Proof of car insurance
• Your out-of-state registration

Keep in mind that you will have 20 days to register your vehicle after establishing new residency.

Military Personnel

You can register your vehicle in the state you are currently stationed in, then transfer it to California once you get back home.

For more information: California Vehicle Registration – How to Register your Vehicle

You will have to process the Application for Title or Registration. The CA DMV does not provide a grace period after the expiration date printed on your vehicle registration certificate.

For more information: How to Renew Your Vehicle Registration in California

No, the process to replace personalized plates is the same to replace standard license plates. You will need to present the following:

• Proof of identity, such as your California driver s license
• An Application for Replacement Plates, Stickers, Documents (REG 156)
• Any remaining license plates
• The appropriate replacement fee

For more information:How to Replace a Vehicle Registration in California

Yes, drivers must always keep a copy of the vehicle registration in the dashboard. When pulled over by law enforcement, you will be asked to provide proof of vehicle registration. If you cannot provide your car registration document, you risk receiving a ticket.

For more information on tickets, visit Overview of California Traffic Ticket and other Traffic Violation Issues

For more information: California Vehicle Registration – How to Register your Vehicle

A California car registration copy is usually necessary in the following incidents:

• Your document was lost or stolen
• Your document was mutilated or destroyed

For more information:How to Replace a Vehicle Registration in California

The car registration fee for your vehicle depends on several factors:

• Vehicle weight
• Vehicle type
• Fuel emissions
• County tax
• State tax

The California Department of Motor Vehicles offers a convenient Vehicle Registration Fee Calculator that will help you determine the correct price.

The CA DMV accepts cash, checks, personal checks, money order and debit cards.

Online and over-the-phone transactions with the DMV accept debit and credit cards.

By mail services are finalized with a personal check or money order.

For more information: California Car Registration Fees and Fee Calculator

The California car registration replacement fee is $19. The DMV accepts the following forms of payment in CA:

• Cash
• Personal checks
• Money orders
• ATM/Debit cards

It’s recommended to make an appointment at your DMV office before heading over.

For more information: How to Replace a Vehicle Registration in California

Upon replacing car registration, you will need to submit an Application for Replacement Plates, Stickers, Documents (REG 156) and your damaged registration card, if you have it with you.

If your registration card was lost or stolen, be sure to report it to the police. Bring the police report with you to the DMV office, as well as the following documents:

• One proof of identity:
  • Drivers license
  • Birth certificate
• One proof of ownership:
  • Car title
  • Bill of sale
• One proof of legal presence (non-U.S. citizens)
  • Green Card a.k.a. I-551 Form
  • I-551 stamp on passport

Also bring in cash, personal check, money order or debit card to pay for the registration replacement fee.

For more information: How to Replace a Vehicle Registration in California

In most cases, to get car registration in California, you will need to submit the following documentation:

• Original car title (or a duplicate copy if you lost yours)
• A completed Application for Title or Registration (REG 343)
• Proof of Smog certification, if applicable
• Proof of identity, such as your drivers license

For more information: California Vehicle Registration – How to Register your Vehicle

The documents you need to submit depend on the method in which you are renewing car registration. To be on the safe side, it is strongly advised that you have the following with you:

• Proof of car insurance
• Your California driver s license
• Your registration renewal notice
• Your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
• Payment for the renewal fee

For more information: How to Renew Your Vehicle Registration in California

If you have not received your car registration tags, contact the California Department of Motor Vehicles at 1-800-777-0133. Their regular business hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. On Wednesdays, the offices are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

If you prefer, you can also visit your local DMV office to inquire about the status of your registration tags.

For more information: How to Renew Your Vehicle Registration in California

In the state of California, car registrations expire on a yearly basis. It is important that you take the appropriate steps to renew before in order to avoid being subject to penalties. California does not offer a grace period to renew expired registration, therefore be sure to renew on time.

For more information: How to Renew Your Vehicle Registration in California

For car registration replacement, you can find a nearby tax county collector s office by visiting the California Department of Motor Vehicles website, or you can use our DMV locator.

For more information: How to Replace a Vehicle Registration in California

Yes, you will need to fill out an Application for Replacement Plates, Stickers, Documents (REG 156) in order to replace car registration.

For more information: How to Replace a Vehicle Registration in California

Yes, prior to your car registration s expiration date, a renewal notice will be sent to you. It will be mailed to the address that is currently on file with the DMV, so if you recently moved, make sure to have your information up to date.

For more information: How to Renew Your Vehicle Registration in California

Your vehicle registration will expire on a specific date of your birth month. Keep in mind that you must renew your tags by the expiration date because the CA DMV does not provide a grace period. You will have to start the new vehicle registration process over again if you wait until after the expiration date.

For more information: How to Renew Your Vehicle Registration in California