Car Registration Renewal in California

Registration Renewal

Online

Renewing your car registration on the DMV website is a convenient way to pay your renewal fees and receive your new stickers and registration card in a shorter amount of time. The DMV website's online registration renewal takes 2-4 weeks to complete. If your car is due for a smog check and you have not yet completed it, or your vehicle has failed the inspection, the DMV website will allow you to pay your registration renewal payments online. However, after the car passes the smog check, you will have to wait for your new tags. The reason is that the DMV will first need to get informed of the passing smog inspection and then place your renewal back in the queue for processing. It's best to renew your registration through the DMV website just after your smog check is completed. You can pick up your tags at a DMV location after completing your smog check, but make sure you arrive there before the mailing process begins. They will not be able to provide you with your tags if they discover in their records that a fresh sticker has already been issued for your car. You'll have to wait for them to arrive via mail.

By Mail

The slowest option for renewing your registration, although it's acceptable if you're not in a hurry. Renewal via mail is completely free. Before your existing registration expires, make sure you send in your money and receive your new tags and registration card. Renewals of mail-in registrations take 4-6 weeks to process. Mail documents and payment to: Vehicle Registration Operations Department of Motor Vehicles P.O. Box 942869 Sacramento, CA 94269

By Phone

Your CA registration can be renewed over the phone if the following conditions are met:
  • You've received your notice to renew your vehicle registration.
  • The right address is shown on your registration renewal notice.
  • There are no unpaid delinquencies or ticket costs on your record.
Call the DMV at (800) 777-0133 if both of the above are true. Your Renewal ID number (RIN) can be found on your renewal notice. You'll almost certainly have to provide:
  • On your renewal notice, your vehicle identification number (VIN) should be listed
  • The DMV has proof of auto insurance on file.
  • The DMV has proof of emissions certification on file.
  • Your license plate number.
  • To pay your renewal cost, you'll need a credit or debit card.

In Person

The most time-consuming method of automobile registration is to go to a DMV field office. Choosing a local BPA provider is a speedier in-person method. BPA Providers (Business Partner Automation) are private companies that provide DMV services without the need for long lineups. Official DMV forms, license plates, registration cards, stickers, and tags are issued on the spot at these California-approved facilities, and there is rarely a wait time. Even with an appointment, visiting a DMV office might take time. On the other hand, using a local registration service provider can quickly help you get in and out.

Notice of Vehicle Registration Renewal

The California DMV will mail you a renewal notice before your registration expires. The notice will include the following information:
  • Tag's expiration date
  • Fees for renewal
  • Information about the vehicle
  • Emissions requirement
  • Fees for delinquency
    • Before renewing your registration, you must pay any delinquent or ticket fines stated on your renewal notice.
    • If you owe any additional fees, you will only be able to renew by mail or in person.
If you haven't received a renewal notice in the mail, call (800) 777-0133 or visit your local DMV office. If you move, make sure to notify the DMV of your new location to avoid missing renewal reminders in the future.

Fees on Registration Renewal

The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) offers an Online Fee Calculator to assist you in determining your registration renewal expenses. Fees are determined by a number of criteria, including:
  • Your vehicle's year, weight, and value.
  • Fees for special license plates.
  • Fees charged by the county or district.
  • You must settle delinquency fines, such as unpaid parking tickets before you can renew.
You may be entitled to a tax deduction on your car licensing charge if you renew your registration.

Penalties on Late Fees

The California Department of Motor Vehicles does not provide a grace period for late renewals. You will be charged a late fine if you miss the deadline:
  • A portion of your annual renewal fee.
  • A flat late fee.
  • The California Highway Patrol (CHP) charges a fixed late fee.
In addition to your usual renewal rate, you will be charged late fees. These fees increase over time, and the longer you wait, the more expensive they become, so make sure you pay on time!

Refunds

You may be eligible for a refund if you renew your car's registration but leave California before the new renewal period begins. Send an Application for Refund (Form ADM 399) along with your vehicle's registration card and sticker, to the address on the form.

Renewal Registration for Military

If you're in the military and your California registration is set to expire, you may be allowed to postpone payment until you return. To be considered, you must meet the following requirements:
  • Be a member of the Armed Forces, the Armed Forces Reserve, or the National Guard.
  • Be temporarily stationed outside of the state for purposes of conflict or homeland defense.
  • It is not permitted to be deployed only for the purpose of training, processing, or a permanent change of station.
  • Only apply if you want the fees you paid during your deployment period to be waived.
If you want your late fines waived, you must do the following:
  • Follow the usual registration renewal processes at your local DMV office (see above).
  • Indicate your active duty status and deployment dates on a Statement of Facts (Form REG 256).

Non-Operational Vehicles

You can apply for Planned Non-Operation (PNO) status to avoid paying renewal fees if you got a renewal notice for a vehicle you do not intend to use on public roads for the whole registration year.

Apply for Planned Non-Operation Status

You can apply for PNO status in one of two ways:
  • Before the expiration date of your registration
  • You have up to 90 days after your registration expires to apply and pay any late fines that have accrued.
To apply, please check the PNO box on your renewal notice or fill out the application form. Or: You have up to 60 days before your registration expires to apply for PNO status. After that, you'll get a PNO notification every year, which you can ignore until you're ready to drive again.

Vehicle Moving Permit

A one-day vehicle mobility permit permits you to move or park your vehicle on public streets. This permit can be used to get your emissions examined or transport a vehicle from one storage place to another. If you only remain for the day, you will not be charged any fees. To apply, visit your local DMV office and complete the following steps:

Regular Use Registration

If you want to get your car back on the road, you'll need to re-register it. To do so, go to your local DMV office and perform the following:
  • Follow the steps outlined above to renew your registration.
  • Pay all renewal fees that are due.

Replacement Registration Certificates, Stickers & License Plates

If you lose, get stolen, or damage your registration certificate or stickers, you must replace them immediately. This is also true if you need to replace something.

Forms

REG 5090
  • Affidavit of Non-Use
    • If you plan to cancel a vehicle's insurance, fill out this form and send it to the California Department of Motor Vehicles. This form does not result in the cancellation of your vehicle registration.
REG 102
  • Certificate of Non-Operation
    • To avoid being charged registration costs, notify the DMV that you do not drive or park your vehicle on public streets.
REG 256
  • Statement of Facts
    • This form can be used to add information to other California DMV forms or to make corrections to existing CA DMV papers.