Our Business Partner Automation (BPA) program authorizes qualified partners to process vehicle related transactions, including vehicle registration and titling, from their remote locations.
All new motor vehicle dealers must use the BPA for processing.
We have three types of partners:
- First-Line Business Partner: A partner who receives information from DMV and uses it to complete registration and titling activities for their own business purposes.
- First-Line Service Provider: A partner who receives information from DMV and transmits it to another authorized business partner for registration processing.
- Second-Line Business Partner: A partner who receives information from a First-Line Service Provider.
Our partners can process:
- New vehicle reports of sale.
- Full year registration renewals. (***partial year registration is not allowed in BPA***)
- Registered owner transfers.
- Salvage applications.
- Junk applications.
- Non-repairable applications.
- Vehicle license fee (VLF) refunds*.
- Legal owner transfers.
- Non-resident vehicles.
- Miscellaneous originals.
- Replacement titles.
- Vessels.
- Personalized and special plate assignments and/or reassignments.
- Unwinds/rollbacks.
- Disabled Veteran/Disabled Person reassignments.
- Permanent Trailer Identification (PTI).
- Posting fee transactions.
- Additions to a PFR fleet.
- Substitute vehicle license plate and sticker.
* VLF refunds are restricted to Salvage Pools.
Our partners can issue the following indicia:
- Automobile Commercial Trailer Motorcycle (ACTM) plates and stickers.
- PTI plates.
- Exempt license plates.
- Single-plate truck tractor inventory.
- Saves time, may increase revenue, and allows you to have full control over the transactions processed from your location.
- Allows you to submit the exact fees calculated by DMV. Eliminates bundle credits, ASF, and issuing checks to DMV.
- Reduce trips to DMV to submit your work.
- May eliminate your inquiries to DMV.
- Enhanced customer service – another way to offer the best possible service to your customers.
- Customers will benefit from the one-stop registration service by getting their plates, registration cards, and stickers directly from you.
- Customers will no longer have to wait for their plates, which will eliminate telephone calls to you regarding the status of their license plates.
- May provide your customers alternative payment options.
Any company that has a business need to process their own vehicle registration and titling applications and comply with the following requirements can become a First-Line Business Partner:
- Establish a communication link with DMV.
- Develop the programming necessary to process vehicle registration transactions.
- Develop a database to track inventory.
- Develop a training and security awareness program for their employees.
- Complete a Business Partner Automation Application First-Line Business Partner (REG 4024).
- Complete a Business Partner Automation Program Information Security Pre-Implementation Checklist, First Line Business Partner/First Line Business Partner Service Provider (EXEC 5555A).
- Complete a Department of Motor Vehicle Information Security Agreement (DISA).
- Submit a floor plan and security narrative.
- Complete a Business Partner Automation Surety Bond (REG 866) in the amount of $650,000.
- Complete a Statement of Personal History–Pre-Implementation Screening Process (REG 4019) for each employee directly involved in the BPA Program.
- Submit Request for Live Scan Service (DMV 8016) for each employee directly involved in the BPA Program (not required for a business owner who also holds a current occupational license).
Send the completed application documents and fees to:
Department of Motor Vehicles
Business Partner Automation Program
PO Box 825393, MS C383
Sacramento, CA 94232-3280
Fees
- $305 non-refundable application fee
- $232 for each additional branch location (if applicable)
- Live scan fingerprint fees (payable to the live scan facility)
DMV holds the First-Line Business Partner responsible for all fees due to DMV and requires payment via an Electronic Fund Transfer. Complete an Electronic Fund Transfer Authorization Agreement (REG 4051).
The application is valid for 12 months. The BPA permit is valid for 36 months. A renewal application and fee is necessary for BPA program participation.
Any company that can comply with the following requirements can become a First-Line Service Provider:
- Establish a communication link with DMV.
- Develop the programming necessary to process vehicle registration transactions.
- Develop a database to track inventory.
- Develop a training and security awareness program for their employees or Second-line Business Partners.
- Complete a Business Partner Automation Application First Line Service Provider (REG 4023).
- Complete a Business Partner Automation Program Information Security Pre-Implementation Checklist, First Line Business Partner/First Line Business Partner Service Provider (EXEC 5555A).
- Complete a Department of Motor Vehicle Information Security Agreement (DISA).
- Submit a floor plan and security narrative.
- Complete a Business Partner Automation Surety Bond (REG 866) in the amount of $1,000,000.
- Complete a Statement of Personal History–Pre-Implementation Screening Process (REG 4019) for each employee directly involved in the BPA Program.
- Submit Request for Live Scan Service (DMV 8016) for each employee directly involved in the BPA Program (not required for a business owner who also holds a current occupational license).
Send the completed application documents and fees to:
Department of Motor Vehicles
Business Partner Automation Program
PO Box 825393, MS C383
Sacramento, CA 94232-3280
Fees
- $305 non-refundable application fee
- $232 for each additional branch location (if applicable)
- Live scan fingerprint fees (payable to the live scan facility)
DMV holds the First-Line Service Provider responsible for all fees due to DMV and requires payment via an Electronic Fund Transfer. Complete an Electronic Fund Transfer Authorization Agreement (REG 4051).
The application is valid for 12 months. The BPA permit is valid for 36 months. A renewal application and fee is necessary for BPA program participation.
Authorized First-Line Service Providers
DMV currently has four authorized First-Line Service Providers who provide services to Second-Line Business Partners:
Dealertrack
Contact: Gavin Lawrence – Phone: (916) 642-3019
Motor Vehicle Software Corporation
Contact: Eddy Partida – Phone: (818) 706-1949
Automated Vehicle Registration Services
Contact: Monique Buduan – Phone: (707) 658-4100 & (855) 437-4400
American Driving Records
Contact: Melody Alday – Phone: (916) 288-6705
The following types of companies are examples of who can become a Second-Line Business Partner:
- Registration services.
- New/used vehicle dealers.
- Vehicle rental companies.
- Vehicle leasing companies.
- Dismantlers.
- Salvage pools.
Contact a First-Line Service Provider for additional information.
Any company that can comply with the following requirements can become a Second-Line Business Partner:
- A Second-Line Business Partner must contract with a First-Line Service Provider.
- Obtain and maintain a valid occupational license if you’re a dealer, dismantler, or registration service.
- Have or purchase personal computers and printers.
- Find a business location suitable for processing registration transactions.
- Complete a Business Partner Automation Program Second-Line Business Partner (REG 4025).
- Complete a Business Partner Automation Program Information Security Pre-Implementation Checklist, Second-Line Business Partner (EXEC 5555B).
- Complete a Statement of Personal History–Pre-Implementation Screening Process (REG 4019) for each employee directly involved in the BPA Program.
- Submit a Request for Live Scan Service (DMV 8016) for each employee directly involved in the BPA Program (not required for a business owner who also holds a current occupational license).
Send the completed application documents and fees to:
Department of Motor Vehicles
Business Partner Automation Program
PO Box 825393, MS C383
Sacramento, CA 94232-3280
Fees
- $305 non-refundable application fee
- $232 for each additional branch location (if applicable)
- Live scan fingerprint fees (payable to the live scan facility)
DMV holds the Second-Line Business Partner responsible for all fees due to DMV and remitting them to their respective First-Line Service Provider.
The application fee is valid for 36 months.
Additional Forms You May Need:
Information Security and Disclosure Statement Public/Private Partnerships Employee (EXEC 200X)
Information and Disclosure Statement – Firm (EXEC 201X)
Business Partner Automation Program Application for Changes (REG 4026)
Business Partner Automation Program Representative Non-Disclosure Statement (REG 4028)
Business Partner Automation Program Service Provider Change (REG 4022)
Business Partner Automation Renewal Application (REG 5056)
Business Partner Deposit Agreement and Assignment (REG 4029)
Electronic Fund Transfer Authorization Agreement (REG 4051)
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you may charge for your services. Companies participating in the BPA Program are allowed to charge their customers a service fee for each type of transaction processed through to completion. However, licensed vehicle dealers y dismantlers are restricted to charging up to $30.00 for each type of transaction, in addition to any other fees authorized by statute. Effective April 18, 2022, this charge is increasing to $31.
Licensed registration services and salvage pools are not restricted to the fee amount they may charge.
Yes, DMV charges a $5.00 transaction fee for each transaction processed through to completion, $1 of which is a temporary charge for the partner’s proportionate share of department wide system improvements. The $1 fee shall be discontinued when the department determines that sufficient funds have been received to pay for the system improvements or December 31, 2023 (whichever occurs first). California Vehicle Code (CVC) §1685 The transaction fee may be charged to the customer in addition to the service fee. Effective April 18, 2022, this transaction fee is increasing to $6.
Exception: Payment of a transaction fee for vehicle license fee refund transactions is not required. Only salvage pools may process vehicle license fee refund transactions.
The inquiry process is not available within the BPA Program. Customers interested in obtaining inquiry capability should contact DMV Customer Services Division’s Account Processing Unit at (916) 657-5564.
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