7.025 Exemptions From Fees (Full or Partial)

Native American-Owned Vehicles

The exemptions are:

• Vehicles owned or leased by California Native American tribes and/or tribal members who live on a federal Native American reservation or rancheria located in California and operated on or off the public highway are exempt from the vehicle license fee (VLF) portion of registration fees. A Miscellaneous Certifications (REG 256A) form with the Native American Certifications section completed and signed by a representative of the tribe or the United States Bureau of Indian Affairs must be submitted with the application.
• Vehicles registered in a federally-recognized Native American tribes name and used exclusively within the boundaries and jurisdiction of the tribe are exempt from all fees except the registration fee. A completed REG 256A or letter written on Native American tribes letterhead must be submitted with the application. The letter must be signed by an authorized tribal council member, such as the tribal chief or secretary, identify the vehicle, state it is owned by and registered in the federally recognized Native American tribes name, and will be used exclusively within the boundaries of Native American tribal land, including any incidental operation on the highways within those boundaries (VC §9104.5 and CR&TC §10781.1).
• Native American-owned trailer coaches (CCH) located on a federal Native American reservation or rancheria in California are exempt from all fees. A new CCH purchased by Native American that will not be registered may be moved to the reservation by a licensed transporter or the dealer-on-dealer license plates prior to the sale. A title only may be issued.

NATO Members—A member of a force or civilian component of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) who is not a citizen of the United States is exempt from the VLF. A North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Status of Forces Agreement (REG 5046) form must be submitted with the application. The applicant’s identification (ID) must be verified if the REG 5046 is presented in person.

Nonresident Military (NRM) Personnel— Any nonresident owner of a vehicle registered in a foreign state and a member of the U.S. armed forces or spouse of a member of the U.S. armed forces on active duty within this state. Any person on continuous active duty in the Air Force, Army, Navy, Marines or Coast Guard is considered military personnel. This does not include civilian personnel employed by a branch of the armed forces. NRM personnel or spouse stationed in California are exempt from the VLF. A Nonresident Military (NRM) Exemption Statement (REG 5045) form must be submitted with the application. The applicant’s ID must be verified if the REG 5045 is presented in person. Specialized Transportation Vehicles (STVs) (Vehicle Code [VC] §9107)—STVs are purchased with federal funds, by public or private nonprofit specialized transportation service agencies, for the purpose of providing transportation services for senior citizens and/or handicapped persons. STVs are subject only to the annual registration fee (including miscellaneous county and law enforcement fees) and are exempt from VLF and weight fees. The application must include a Specialized Transportation Vehicle Exemption Certification (REG 345) form.