You can renew your registration online if: 

• You have access to the Internet. 

• You have a valid credit card, debit card, or checking account. 

• You know the last 5 digits of the vehicle’s VIN or the HIN for your vehicle or vessel. 

• You have insurance for your vehicle OR you are registering a vehicle that does not need insurance, such as a trailer. 

• DMV has electronic smog certification information for your vehicle on file. 
  

You cannot renew your registration online if you do not: 

• Know your vehicle’s VIN or HIN. 

• Have a credit card, debit card, or checking account.  
  

Note You can pay cash at DMV kiosks, available inside select DMV office and retail locations during regular business hours. Find a kiosk near you. 

• Pay parking citations. 
  
  Note If you want to challenge a parking ticket, you must  resolve it in court. Once the court clears your parking ticket, submit your clearance paper with your renewal notice by mail or at a DMV location.

Even if you pay your registration fees, if your vehicle needs smog certification you will need to complete that before your registration renewal can be finalized.

Review current renewal Processing Times for an estimate of how long it will take for your registration to arrive in the mail.

Yes, you can. It’s best to change your address online before you renew your registration online. 

To make sure your new registration is mailed to your updated address, wait 3  business days between changing your address online and renewing your registration so the system can update your information.

No. If you do not plan to use your vehicle this year, but you plan to store it somewhere, you need to apply for Planned Nonoperation online. Then you will have to pay the PNO filing fee. 

After you apply for PNO, if you decide to operate your vehicle or park it somewhere where it could get a parking ticket, then you need to pay full vehicle registration fees and penalties for that year. 

If you have paid your renewal fees but your check has not cleared, do not place a stop payment on your check. The department might still be processing your payment. 

If it has been  8 weeks  since you renewed your registration, but your check still has not cleared, please contact customer service.

You need to report your change of address to DMV within 10 days of moving. 

You can  change your address online to notify DMV of a change of residence or mailing address for your vehicle, vessel, driver’s license, or identification card records. 

No. According to the law, any minor who does not have a valid driver’s license cannot order, buy, lease, or receive any vehicle as a gift. For more information, see VEH Code, DIV 6.5, Chapter 1.

If your California Certificate of Ownership is stolen or damaged, you can submit a completed  Application for Replacement or Transfer of Title (REG 227) (PDF) and pay a duplicate fee. 

If you lost the registration card or sticker, you can submit a completed  Application for Replacement Plates, Stickers, Documents (REG 156) (PDF) to replace the lost certificates and/or stickers and the appropriate fee. 

You can submit these forms to DMV by mail or in person at a DMV office.