California Vehicle Registration

Vehicle Registration for New Residents in California

New residents are required to complete the registration of their vehicles within 20 days. To do this, they must first establish residency in the state and subsequently visit a nearby DMV office.

To establish California residency, an individual must meet one or more of the following criteria:

• Employment in California
• Applying for tax exemptions applicable for a California residential property
• Renting or leasing an apartment or home
• Requesting state-issued documents, such as a driver's license or voter registration
• Registering oneself or dependents in California educational institutions

Once residency is established, visit a DMV office with the following documents:

• Application for Title or Registration with owners' signature and lienholders' information (if applicable)
• Declaration of Gross Vehicle Weight/Combined Gross Vehicle Weight (for commercial vehicles)
• Permanent Trailer Identification (PTI) Application Certification (for trailers)
• Vehicle insurance evidence
• Foreign title (if transferring title to the state) and foreign registration
• Emissions and smog certificates (if applicable)
• Weight certification, if asked
• Payment of fees and relevant taxes

After submitting the required documents, a DMV staff member will physically inspect the vehicle and verify the vehicle identification number (VIN). Upon completion, new residents will receive license plates, vehicle registration stickers, and a certificate of California registration.

Vehicle Registration for Military Members in California

Military members and their families who are residents of California or any other state have specific guidelines to follow when it comes to registering their vehicles.

CA Military Residents Vehicle Registration

CA military residents stationed outside of California have the option to register their vehicles in the state where they are currently stationed. Upon their return to California, they must register their cars in the state.

For California military members stationed in the state or non-resident military members who register their vehicles with the CA DMV, there is a vehicle license fee exemption available. To avail of this exemption, the following documents should be submitted to the California DMV:

• NATO members: North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Status of Forces Agreement (REG 5046) form
• Military members: Non-resident Military Exemption Statement (REG 5045) form

Note that California residents deployed by the military may also be eligible for a deferment of payment when it comes time to renew their vehicle's registration. However, those service members stationed outside California are not eligible for the vehicle license fee exemption.

Non-CA Resident Military Vehicle Registration

Armed Forces personnel, NATO members, and their families stationed in California are not obligated to get the state's vehicle registration. To drive legally, they must adhere to the following requirements:

• Exhibit license plates issued by their relevant state/country or by the state or country of their prior permanent duty location
• Possess valid auto insurance in California
• Maintain current vehicle registration under either their name or the name of their spouse

Foreign vehicle registrations must be legally renewed in the country or state of issuance to be considered valid. If a foreign vehicle is registered with the CA DMV or a vehicle is purchased within California, military residents may be eligible for an exemption from non-resident vehicle license fees.

Registration of Vehicles Purchased From a Dealership in California

When a vehicle is purchased from a California dealership, the dealership often handles the registration process on behalf of the buyer. If the dealership does not offer registration services, the buyer is responsible for registering the vehicle.

To complete the registration of a vehicle, these specific requirements must always be met:

• A furnished Application for Title or Registration form (for new cars)
• A foreign title if the vehicle is registered in another state or a California Certificate of Title (for used cars)
• A completed Application for Replacement or Transfer of Title form (if the title is damaged or lost)
• The Certificate of Title must contain the signature of the seller, lienholder, and the buyer
• Payment of applicable use tax or title transfer fees

These additional documents may also be required for the registration process:

• A filled-out Vehicle Transfer and Reassignment form (only available at the DMV field office)
• A Statement of Facts form
• Smog certification
• A Vehicle Emission System Statement (SMOG) form
• A Declaration of Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)/Combined Gross Vehicle Weight (CGW) form for commercial or company vehicles

After completing all the required documentation, individuals must personally visit a CA DMV field office to finalize the registration.

Registration of Vehicles Purchased From a Private Party in California

Certain steps must be taken to transfer ownership in a private purchase. Buyers must complete the transfer ten days after the purchase, while sellers must report the transfer to the CA DMV within five days of the sale.

In a private-party purchase, the buyer must fulfill several requirements for vehicle ownership. First, they must have the vehicle's title, which the seller should adequately sign on the designated signature line (typically on line 1).

If the title is lost, stolen, or damaged, the buyer should fill out an Application for Replacement or Transfer of Title form.

If the seller's name does not match the registered owner's name on the title, a Bill of Sale signed by both parties is necessary.

Additionally, the buyer must record the odometer mileage if the vehicle is less than ten years old. If the title does not provide a designated space for mileage information, the buyer should complete a Vehicle Transfer and Reassignment form. It is crucial for both the buyer and seller to sign this form.

In addition, smog certification is required, along with the payment of applicable fees and a use tax.

To effectuate the transfer of ownership, the buyer may mail the completed forms to the state DMV or visit a DMV field office in person.

Motorcycle Registration in California

Individuals with a motorcycle, moped, scooter, or any other motor-driven cycle must register said vehicle with the DMV. To initiate the registration process for these vehicles, prepare the following:

• California Certificate of Title, or the name and address of the lienholder (if applicable)
• Confirmation of insurance or surety bond
• A valid California motorcycle license
• Payment of relevant fees

Note that mini choppers or pocket bikes are not eligible for registration or operation on public streets due to their failure to meet Federal Safety Standards.

Motorized scooters, on the other hand, can be operated on public streets without registration. However, riders must be at least 16 years old and possess a valid driver's license or permit. Helmets are also mandatory for operation.

For those intending to utilize their motorcycles off public roads and highways, it is essential to register the vehicle as an off-highway vehicle (OHV).

For those interested in boat/vessel registration, refer to this Boat/Vessel Registration page found on the official CA DMV website.

California License Plates

After completing the vehicle registration process in California, individuals are given license plates. These play a crucial role in verifying the registration status of vehicles, identifying the type of registration held, and facilitating the connection between vehicles and their owners.

In most cases, license plates remain affixed to the vehicle they were initially issued to. However, specific types of plates, such as personalized, special recognition, or special interest plates, can be reassigned to another vehicle upon request by the owner and upon payment of the requisite fees.

How To Obtain Vanity License Plates in California?

The most convenient way to obtain vanity license plates in California is by utilizing the Special Interest and Personalized License Plates Orders system offered by the DMV. This online ordering procedure, however, is specifically designed to accommodate original or first time requests.

Those looking to gift, renew, retain, replace, convert, or transfer vanity plates can complete the Special Interest License Plates Application (REG 17) and mail it to the address indicated at the bottom of the form.

When personalizing a standard California license plate, individuals can create a combination of letters, numbers, and characters. Standard plates usually have two to seven characters, while other custom plates may vary in character count based on the plate type chosen.

Note that personalized plates are more expensive than standard plates, with fees varying depending on the type of plate requested and the level of personalization desired.

Fees For All Vehicles

When registering a vehicle in California, certain fees apply to all vehicles. These include:

• $74 Registration Fee
• $32 California Highway Patrol (CHP) Fee
• Transportation Improvement Fee (TIF), which depends on the vehicle's value. The TIF rates are as follows:
• Vehicles valued between $0 and $4,999 cost $32
• Vehicles valued between $5,000 and $24,999 cost $65
• Vehicles valued between $25,000 and $34,999 cost $129
• Vehicles valued between $35,000 and $59,999 cost $194
• Vehicles valued at $60,000 and above cost $227

Late Vehicle Registration Fees

To avoid any late fees in California, register a vehicle within 20 days after establishing residency. Failure on doing so will result in late fees which are based on the delinquency duration. Additionally, a vehicle purchased from private must be registered within ten days to avoid late fees.

California imposes penalties for late vehicle registration and late payment of the CHP fee. The penalties are as follows:

• Less than a year: $30 for each penalty
• 1 to 2 years: $54 for each penalty
• More than two years: $100 for each penalty

Apart from the aforementioned fees, there are other applicable fees that vary based on the type and specifications of the vehicle. For more detailed information on related fees, refer to this Registration Fees page found on the CA DMV website.

Online Renewal

To complete an online registration renewal, individuals must verify the absence of any outstanding traffic tickets or unpaid delinquency fees. They should also prepare the following:

• Number of license plate
• The final five digits of VIN
• Car insurance filed in the CA DMV
• Smog certification filed in the CA DMV
• Payment for renewal fee (accepted payment methods are credit, debit, and ATM cards, or a checking account number)

Renewal by Mail

When renewing registration through mail, the following documents must be prepared:

• Form of registration renewal (update the address if necessary)
• Car insurance document, if needed
• Smog inspection document, if needed
• Confirmation of payment for unpaid charges, if needed
• Money order or check for the renewal fee, payable to the CA DMV

Upon completing the said documents, mail them with the payment to the Vehicle Registration Operations of the Department of Motor Vehicles at P.O. Box 942869, Sacramento, CA 94269.

Renewal by Phone

Renewing registration by phone is possible if these criteria are met:

• Possess the renewal notice of vehicle registration
• Ensure that the notice displays the right address
• Have no unpaid ticket fees or delinquency

If the criteria mentioned above are met, call the DMV at (800) 777-0133 and provide the following information:

• Renewal ID number (RIN) printed on the renewal notice
• VIN
• Confirmation of auto insurance filed in the DMV
• Emissions certificate filed in the DMV
• Number of license plate
• Credit card or debit card for payment

In-Person Renewal

To complete the registration renewal process in person, visit the local DMV office with the following documents:

• Current registration certificate or renewal notice
• Valid CA driver's license
• Court clearance file (if applicable) demonstrating payment of delinquent fees
• Payment for renewal fees (card, cash, money order, check)

Fees for Registration Renewal

The fees for registration renewal in California vary depending on several factors. These factors include the vehicle's year, weight, and value, as well as any special license plate fees, local county or district fees, and delinquency fees.

To determine the specific fee for registration renewal, individuals can use the CA DMV's Online Fee Calculator.