20.040 License Plates for Victims of Domestic Violence, Stalking, Rape, or Sexual Battery

Chapter 20 Duplicates and Substitutes

20.040 License Plates for Victims of Domestic Violence, Stalking, Rape, or Sexual Battery (CVC §§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 Duplicate or Paperless 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 CVC §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 Confidential Records Unit at (916) 657-7142 for assistance.