20.040 License Plates for Victims of Domestic Violence, Stalking, Rape, or Sexual Battery (VC §§4467 and 1808.21(e); CCC §1708.7; and CPC §649.9)

DMV is required to immediately issue substitute license plates for registered owners (RO) who are victims of domestic violence, stalking, rape, or sexual battery. The victim/subject must appear in person at a DMV office.

The following must be submitted:

• Proof of ownership for the vehicle, such as the title or registration card.
• A photo identification (ID) acceptable for current substitute license plates procedures.
• The license plates currently assigned to the vehicle.
• The fee(s) due.
• One of the following:
  • A copy of a police report, court documentation, or other law enforcement documentation identifying the owner of the vehicle as the victim of a incident of domestic violence, as specified in California Civil Code (CCC) §1708.6; the subject of stalking, as specified in CCC §1708.7 or California Penal Code (CPC) §646.9; the victim of a rape, as defined in CPC §§261 or 262; or the victim of a sexual battery, as defined in CCC §1708.5.
  • A written acknowledgement, dated within 30 days of submission, on the letterhead of a domestic violence agency or rape crisis center that the RO is actively seeking assistance or has sought assistance from that agency within the
    past year.
  • An active protective order (restraining order) as defined in California Family Code §6218, or issued pursuant to California Code of Civil Procedures §527.8, which names the RO as a protected party.

The following must be submitted:

• Visually verify that the person presenting the application is the RO of record and is the person on the photo ID. A list of acceptable photo IDs can be found in the Application for Replacement or Transfer of Title section in this chapter.
• Review the REG 156. It must contain the RO’s name, DL/ID number, address, and signature. The box labeled VC §4467 must be checked.
• Check the appropriate box in Section B on the REG 156 to show the number of licnese plates picked up. Special interest license plates may be exchanged for regular series license plates.
• Review the police report, written acknowledgement, or restraining order. Date stamp and initial the REG 156 as evidence that one of the required documents was presented.
• Key the appropriate TTC.
• Collect the appropriate substitute license plate fee.
• Issue substitute license plates.

Vehicles Registered in the Name of Trust—If the record shows the RO is a trust (no trustee named), have the trustee complete a REG 256 certifying that they are appointment as trustee to the trust.

Record Suppression Requests—If a subject of stalking or a victim of domestic violence asks to have their record suppressed, refer them to the DMV Protected Records Unit at (916) 657-7142 for assistance.

Department of Motor Vehicles
Investigations Division, Protected Records Unit
PO Box 932391 MS N227
Sacramento, CA 94232-3910