Registration Renewals

Renewal Basics

Each year you should receive a vehicle registration renewal notification in the mail. If the registration is within 60 days of expiration and you haven't received a renewal notification card, or have lost the notification card already sent, call (800) 777-0133.

There are three ways to complete the renewal process: by mail, in person, or online.

In Person

The CA DMV requires you to submit additional paperwork in certain cases, such as:

• If your insurance company doesn't report to the DMV, you'll need to show proof of financial reponsibility.

• You are changing the vehicle's registration, whether through ownership transfer or assuming title from a lien holder.

In these situations you can't renew your registration online. Make an appointment with your local CA DMV.

By Mail

You may also obtain a renewal registration through the mail. Simply follow the instructions on the renewal notification and send all necessary paperwork to:

• Department of Motor Vehicles

• P.O. Box 942869

• Sacramento, CA 94269-0001

If you sent in all necessary renewal information prior to the expiration of your registration, don't worry if you haven't received your renewal in the mail. You can legally drive on your expired tags while you wait for the new ones to come in the mail.

If the renewal tags take longer than eight weeks to arrive, call the DMV at (800) 777-0133.

Online

The fastest and most painless way to complete a registration renewal is online using the DMV's online renewal registration system.

In addition to a computer with internet access, your car insurance company must be one of the companies that electronically report to the California DMV in order to complete the online procedure.

Exceptions are vehicles that don't need insurance, such as trailers.

Your renewal notice should contain the special Renewal Identification Number (RIN) necessary for online registration renewal.

The renewal notice should also contain your current address. If it contains an address different from your current address, you must first change your address using the DMV's online system.

You will be ready to initiate the online renewal process once you receive the address change confirmation.

There are no additional fees for renewing your registration online and acceptable payment methods include all major credit cards and E-Checks. To pay by E-Check you will need a valid checking account number and the routing number from one of your checks.

Fees, Penalties, and Other Requirements

Your registration renewal fees are calculated on the registration notification. If you have misplaced or never received your notification card, call (800) 777-0133.

Keep in mind that most vehicles also require a smog certification every other year for completion of the renewal process.

Remember, even though the license plate sticker states the expiration month, your registration actually expires on the exact date listed on your current registration card.

Take note of the date; California does not have a grace period for renewing your registration; and late fees start―and continue―to accrue the day after the expiration date. You may want to use the CA DMV registration fee calculator to get an idea of what your actual fees may be before your renewal notice comes in the mail.

Stay on top of your registration renewal to avoid late fees and penalties.

Non-operational Vehicles

Filing for nonoperational (also referred to as non-op) status must be done before your vehicle's current registration runs out. There is a box to check on the yearly registration renewal form that the DMV sends out. Check the box and return the form with a $17 Planned Nonoperational fee.

If you don't have a renewal form, you can fill out a Certificate of Planned Nonoperation and mail it in with the $17 fee.