Refunds

Qualify for a refund

You may request a refund of fees and/or penalties that are excessive, assessed in error, or not legally due as provided under Vehicle Code §42231.

The following circumstances may qualify you for a refund of renewal fees paid:

• The fees were paid after the vehicle was sold.
• Vehicle was wrecked, junked, salvaged, or stolen before the first day of the new registration period.
• You are nonresident military personnel and paid the vehicle license fee in error.
• Vehicle left California before the first day of the new registration period.
• You decide before the first day of the new registration period that the vehicle will not be operated and file a Planned Non-Operation Certification form (REG 102). The PNO fee will be deducted from your refund.

Time limit for requesting a refund of fees

You must make your request for a refund within three years after payment. Refund requests cannot be honored beyond this period.

Proof of payment

Proof of payment may be:

• Registration card and sticker number.
• Photocopy of front and back of the canceled check.
• Receipts issued by the department or auto club.

How to apply for a refund

The Online Refund Program allows you to fill out the Application for Refund and submit it online. You may also print the application, complete it, and mail it to the address on the form.

Additional requirements for refunds

To further substantiate refund requests, you may be asked to submit any of the following:

• The registration card(s) and sticker(s) for the year(s) fees are to be refunded.
• Notice of Release of Liability (REG 138) giving the purchaser’s name and address and the date of sale.
• Certificate of Title issued for the vehicle/vessel for which fees are being refunded (if a change in vehicle/vessel description or classification is involved).
• Nonresident Military Exemption Statement (REG 5045). You qualify for a nonresident military exemption if your military duty station is located in California, your vehicle is not used in a trade or business, and you are a resident of another state.

When refunds will not be issued

A refund will not be issued in the following situations:

• For registration fees:
  • Paid prior to the sale of the vehicle.
  • For a vehicle that was operated during the registration period for which renewal fees were paid.
  • Covering a portion of the year.
• Fees were paid for replacement plates, certificates and/or stickers, then the original(s) were located. A refund cannot be issued when items are voluntarily requested and issued.
• Parking fees were paid both to the parking agency and DMV. You must contact the issuing parking agency for a refund.
• Excess use tax was paid or use tax was paid in error. You must contact:

  State Board of Equalization
  Consumer Use Tax Section
  450 “N” St., MIC: 37
  Sacramento, CA 95814-4349.

• For a driver license or ID card when you decide, after making payment, you do not want the license or ID card.

When you will receive the refund check

Usually, you will receive a refund check, or be notified of the refund request status within 30 days from the date the application was received by DMV.

If your application for refund is denied

If you receive a letter stating that your refund was denied, and you want to appeal, you must do so in writing. Mail the appeal to:

DMV
PO Box 942869 MS A235
Sacramento, CA 94269-0001

FFVR 15 Online Version 11/1/2006