26.060 Refunds on 49-State/Direct Import Vehicles (VC §42230)
Do not accept applications and/or fees paid on a report of deposit of fees (RDF) for vehicles from outside California:
- With less than 7,500 odometer miles at the time of sale, unless the vehicle qualifies for one of the exemptions. This includes applications with a manufacturer’s statement/certificate of origin (MSO/MCO), title, or registration from another state or country.
- If the vehicle cannot be registered.
Note Fees collected in error must be refunded per VC §42230.
26.055 Refunds on Vehicles Delivered Out of State
If eligible, a dealer may request a refund of fees paid on a vehicle delivered out of state. Use the following chart to determine if the dealer is eligible for a refund:
| If the Vehicle Was Delivered |
Then |
|---|---|
| If the Vehicle Was Delivered
Using the operating copy of the Application for Registration of New Vehicle (REG 397) form or Report of Sale–Used Vehicle (REG 51) form |
Then
The fees cannot be refunded. |
| If the Vehicle Was Delivered
Using a One Trip Permit (REG 402 T) |
Then
The fees may be refunded. Forward the request with the miscellaneous work to the appropriate Registration Processing Unit (RPU) in the DMV headquarters. RPU will mark the vehicle record “Cancelled.” |
| If the Vehicle Was Delivered
On a trailer, flatbed truck, or car carrier |
Note If the California Certificate of Title was surrendered to another state to obtain registration in that state, DMV will retain the title only and PNO fees and mark the vehicle record with the “Surrendered” status.
The following must be submitted:
- An Application for Refund (ADM 399) (PDF) form.
- The Certificate of Title, registration card, license plates, and stickers.
- A Statement of Facts (REG 256) (PDF) form completed by the selling dealer stating the customer’s operating copy of the REG 397 or REG 51 was submitted to DMV at the time of sale and how the vehicle was moved from the dealership when delivered to the buyer.
26.050 Refunds on Vehicle License Fees (VLF) for Nonresident Military (NRM) Owners (VC §42231)
A NRM vehicle owner may complete an Application for Refund (ADM 399) (PDF) form requesting a refund of VLF paid. The ADM 399 must give the make, vehicle identification number (VIN), and license plate number of the vehicle, the year(s) for which a refund is requested, and the NRM owner’s out-of-state residence address at the time the fees were paid.
If a refund request is submitted for VLF paid in the current registration year— The following must be submitted:
- An ADM 399 (PDF).
- A Nonresident Military (NRM) Vehicle License Fee Exemption (REG 5045) (PDF) form.
- The California Certificate of Title, if issued, and registration card.
Note If the vehicle is titled in California, a corrected California Certificate of Title showing the NRM status will be issued.
26.045 Refunds on Unused Vehicles (VC §4604)
Vehicle owners must currently register a vehicle or have a Planned Non-Operation Certification (PNO–REG 102) (PDF) form on file for the vehicle. A refund of renewal fees may be considered when renewal fees are paid, but the vehicle is not used because it is no longer located in California or has been junked or salvaged.
Vehicle No Longer in California—Before accepting an Application for Refund (ADM 399) (PDF) form, determine if a refund of renewal fees is appropriate.
The following must be submitted:
- An ADM 399 showing the date the vehicle left California.
- The registration card and unused sticker. If these items are not submitted with the ADM 399, the refund may be refused.
The procedures below must be followed:
- Review the ADM 399 to determine if a refund of fees is appropriate. Consider that a refund:
- Is not due for a vehicle that left California during the registration period for which renewal fees were paid.
- May be issued for a vehicle that left California before the effective date of the registration period for which renewal fees were paid.
- Forward the ADM 399 and attachments with the miscellaneous work to the appropriate Registration Processing Unit (RPU) in DMV headquarters.
Note A refund cannot be given if the vehicle was located out of state when originally registered in California (VC §4152).
Junked/Salvaged Vehicle—An owner who pays the renewal or PNO fees prior to the registration expiration date on a vehicle that is junked, wrecked, or salvaged prior to the new registration year may apply for a refund of the renewal or PNO fees provided there is evidence documenting the date of loss.
The following must be submitted:
- An ADM 399.
- The current registration card and unused sticker. A Statement of Facts (REG 256) (PDF) form may be accepted if the sticker was attached to the vehicle prior to it being junked or reported as salvage.
The procedures below must be followed:
- Forward the ADM 399 and attachments with the miscellaneous work to the appropriate RPU in DMV headquarters.
26.040 Refunds on Unrecovered Stolen Vehicles (VC §42231)
Use the following guidelines to determine if a refund may be requested for a stolen vehicle:
| If the Owner |
And the Vehicle Is |
Then the Owner |
|---|---|---|
| If the Owner
Already paid the renewal fees for the upcoming year |
And the Vehicle Is
Stolen prior to the registration expiration date |
Then the Owner
May apply for a refund. The following must be submitted: • A complete Application for Refund (ADM 399) form. • The registration card and unused sticker. The procedures below must be followed: • Forward the refund request with the registration card and sticker to the appropriate Registration Processing Unit (RPU) at DMV headquarters. |
| If the Owner
Paid the renewal fees on the vehicle |
And the Vehicle Is
One of the following: • Stolen after the fees became due • Unrecovered for 60 days or more • Declared a “total loss” REFERENCE: CCR §§155.00- 155.10 |
Then the Owner
May apply for a prorated vehicle license fee (VLF) refund (CRTC §10902(d)). The requirements are: • A Department of Justice (DOJ) stop must be on the vehicle record or the refund application must include a copy of the vehicle theft report. • The stolen vehicle must be registered to the owner of the salvage value (usually the insurance company) in accordance with VC §5902. • At least one full month of “unused” registration from the date of loss must be remaining and the amount to be refunded must be at least $1 after DMV’s administrative fee is deducted. |
When a prorated VLF refund is appropriate, the following must be submitted:
- A completed Application for Vehicle License Fee Refund (REG 65–Part A) (PDF) form to DMV.
If the vehicle is an unrecovered total loss and:
| The Applicant Is |
The Procedures Below Must Be Followed |
|---|---|
| The Applicant Is
The owner of record |
The Procedures Below Must Be Followed
Clear the REG 65 application. |
| The Applicant Is
Not the owner of record |
The Procedures Below Must Be Followed
• Return the REG 65. • Request the documents required to transfer ownership on a report of deposit of fees (RDF). |
Note A prorated refund is not appropriate or allowed for a vehicle exempt from payment of VLF. Example: A vehicle registered to a disabled veteran or nonresident military owner.
26.035 Refunds on Undelivered New Vehicles
A dealer may request a refund for a new vehicle registered but not delivered to or driven from the dealer’s premises by the prospective buyer.
The following must be submitted:
- An Application for Refund (ADM 399) (PDF) form.
- The Dealer’s Non-Delivery Certification PART II (REG 477) form.
- The operating copy of the Application for Registration of New Vehicle (REG 397) form.
- The California Certificate of Title, registration card, license plates, and stickers.
Note A Statement of Facts (REG 256) (PDF) form can be completed for a refund of PNO fees paid in lieu of registration fees. Send the California Certificate of Title marked “Canceled” to the appropriate Registration Processing Unit (RPU) in DMV headquarters.
26.030 Refunds on Renewal Fees Paid Twice for the Same Registration Year (VC §42230 and CRTC §10901)
When renewal fees are paid by both the buyer and the seller (former owner) of a vehicle for the same registration year, the refund is issued to:
- The buyer if the fees were paid by the seller before selling the vehicle.
- The seller if the fees were paid after selling the vehicle because a renewal notice was received.
Note The original registration remains valid when double registration results from theft of the vehicle.
The following must be submitted:
- A completed Application for Refund (ADM 399) (PDF) form when one of the double registrations is canceled within three years following payment of the fees.
- The registration card and unused sticker.
The procedures below must be followed:
- If the refund application is received in the field office, write “Sticker(s) Taken Up” on the registration card and forward the application to DMV headquarters.
Note An applicant who cannot surrender the sticker for cancellation, because it was placed on the license plate of the double-registered vehicle, must complete a Statement of Facts (REG 256) (PDF) form explaining what happened. Attach the REG 256 to the ADM 399 and send it with the miscellaneous work to the appropriate Registration Processing Unit (RPU) in DMV headquarters.
New Vehicles Registered Twice—If a dealer reports the sale of a new vehicle registered twice to the same owner and both applications clear, the first registration will stand and the second registration will be canceled.
26.025 Refunds on Renewal Fees
Renewal Fees Already Allocated—Use the following guidelines for accepting or refusing refund requests for fees that have already been allocated:
| If Renewal Fees Were Paid | Advise the Applicant |
|---|---|
| If Renewal Fees Were PaidBefore the vehicle was sold or transferred to another owner | Advise the Applicant• A refund is not due because the fees were not collected in error. • The vehicle was sold/transferred as a currently registered vehicle. |
| If Renewal Fees Were PaidAnd the vehicle was wrecked, junked, salvaged, or stolen after the registration renewal date And the vehicle left California after the registration renewal date | Advise the Applicant• A refund is not due because the fees were not collected in error. • Fees are due because the vehicle was operated during the registration period for which the fees were paid. |
| If Renewal Fees Were PaidBy the customer in error and the vehicle was not operated during that entire registration period | Advise the Applicant• A refund is not due because the fees were not collected in error. • A Planned Non-Operation Certification (PNO–REG 102) form should have been filed in lieu of paying the renewal fees. |
| If Renewal Fees Were PaidAfter the vehicle was sold or transferred to another owner | Advise the Applicant• To complete an Application for Refund (ADM 399) form. • To submit it to the address shown on the ADM 399 with the registration card, and unused sticker or a Statement of Facts (REG 256) form explaining what happened to the registration card and sticker. |
| If Renewal Fees Were PaidAnd the vehicle was wrecked, junked, salvaged, or stolen before the renewed registration period | |
| If Renewal Fees Were PaidAnd the vehicle left California before the renewed registration period | |
| If Renewal Fees Were PaidOn a vehicle owned by a NRM owner who is not subject to the VLF portion of the fees paid | Advise the ApplicantTo submit the following to the address shown on the ADM 399: • A completed ADM 399 and Nonresident Military (NRM) Vehicle License Fee Exemption (REG 5045) forms. • The current registration card. A corrected registration card reflecting the owner’s NRM status will be issued. NOTE: The registration card is not required for requests of VLF paid for a prior registration year. |
| If Renewal Fees Were PaidBefore the effective date of the renewed registration and the owner decides that the vehicle will not be operated during the renewed registration period | Advise the ApplicantTo submit the following to the address shown on the ADM 399: • A completed ADM 399 and Planned Non-Operation Certification (REG 102) forms. • The registration card, and unused sticker or a REG 256 explaining what happened to the registration card and sticker. NOTE: A PNO may be filed for a nonoperated vehicle up to 90 days following the registration expiration date. The PNO filing fee and any penalties due will be deducted from the refund amount. |
26.020 Refunds on Prorated VLF for Constructive Total Loss Vehicles (CRTC §10902)
Vehicles junked or salvaged during the current registration year are not eligible for a vehicle license fee (VLF) refund unless the vehicle was declared a constructive total loss (total loss). If the vehicle was declared a constructive total loss, the owner may be entitled to a prorated refund of the vehicle license fees (VLF) paid for the current registration year and would request a refund by completing an Application for Vehicle License Fee Refund (REG 65-Part B) (PDF) form.
A constructive total loss vehicle is a vehicle that has been wrecked, destroyed, or damaged to such an extent that it is considered uneconomical to repair. The vehicle cannot be repaired by or for the owner of the vehicle at the time it was damaged.
The following conditions must be satisfied when a vehicle is declared a total loss:
| If the Vehicle | Then |
|---|---|
| If the VehicleWas currently registered at the time of loss | Then• The owner of the salvage vehicle must complete a REG 65. • A salvage certificate must have been issued to the owner of the salvage vehicle. This could be either the: —Registered owner if they retained the vehicle and no repairs are initiated by them on their behalf. —Insurance company that made the total loss settlement and retained the salvage in the settlement. |
| If the VehicleRecord indicates a “Junk” status but does not show “Salvage Certificate Issued” status | ThenThe procedures below must be followed: Verify DMV’s records to determine if a Salvage Certificate was issued. • Forward the REG 65 with the miscellaneous work to the appropriate Registration Processing Unit (RPU) in DMV headquarters for verification. |
| If the VehicleRecord does not show “Salvage Certificate Issued” status | ThenThe procedures below must be followed: • Return the REG 65 on a report of deposit of fees (RDF). • Request: —A completed Application for Salvage Certificate or Nonrepairable Vehicle Certificate (REG 488C) form. —The California Certificate of Title. —The salvage certificate fee. |
Refund Application Requirements—An Application for Vehicle License Fee Refund (REG 65- Part B) (PDF) form must be submitted if the vehicle is a constructive total loss and a prorated vehicle license fee (VLF) refund is appropriate.
26.015 Refunds on Other Fees
Use the following chart for accepting or refusing refund requests:
| If the Fees Were Paid for |
Then |
|---|---|
| If the Fees Were Paid for
Duplicate/replacement certificates/stickers and the originals were subsequently found |
Then
A refund is not due. The items were voluntarily requested and issued. Advise the applicant to destroy the original as they were no longer valid. |
| If the Fees Were Paid for
Use tax (in error or in excess of the amount actually due) |
Then
A refund cannot be issued by DMV. Advise the customer to contact the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) for a refund. |
| If the Fees Were Paid for
For parking fees to both the parking agency and DMV |
Then
A refund cannot be issued by DMV. Advise the customer to contact the parking agency for a refund. |
| If the Fees Were Paid for
A vehicle reclassed in error or based on the wrong purchase price |
Then
• Give the customer an Application for Refund (ADM 399) form and a Statement of Facts (REG 256) form. • Advise the customer to complete and sign the REG 256 showing the correct price for the vehicle and submit it, the California Certificate of Title, and the ADM 399 to the address shown on the ADM 399. NOTE: Any excess use tax paid as a result of the incorrect price must be requested separately from CDTFA. |