22.010 California Certificate of Title Held by the Lienholder/Legal Owner

California Certificate of Title Held by a Lienholder—The requirements for processing a correction when the lienholder has the California Certificate of Title are:

• Provide the customer with the necessary documents, such as a Verification of Vehicle (REG 31) form or a Statement of Facts (REG 256) form.
• Collect fees due on a report of deposit of fees (RDF) and request the California Certificate of Title and other items to complete the application.
• Instruct the customer to mail the RDF and a return envelope to the lienholder or mail the application directly to the lienholder with a return envelope.
  

The procedures below must be followed:

• The customer must provide the necessary supporting documents, such as a completed REG 31 or a REG 256.
• The California Certificate of Title and must be completed.

22.005 California Certificate of Title Describes the Wrong Vehicle

When the certificates issued for a vehicle do not describe the vehicle acquired by the owner:

• A Verification of Vehicle (REG 31) form is required to determine the correct vehicle descriptive information.
• The person in possession of the California Certificate of Title with the incorrect description (vehicle identification number) must give the title to the owner of the vehicle described and obtain the correct, properly endorsed California Certificate of Title for the vehicle in their possession.

Below are the procedures if the vehicle owner shown on the California Certificate of Title cannot be located:

If the Transfer Has	The Procedures Below Must Be Followed
If the Transfer HasBeen recorded	The Procedures Below Must Be Followed The incorrect California Certificate of Title properly endorsed for release and signed on the reverse side by the new owner must be picked up. The incorrect title must not be defaced, corrected, or have an attempt to correct it. A completed Statement of Facts (REG 256) form or memo explaining the circumstances must be submitted.
If the Transfer Has Not been recorded	The Procedures Below Must Be Followed The incorrect applicant’s name(s) on the back of the California Certificate of Title must be lined through and the correct owner(s) must endorse in the space available. The applicant must complete and sign a Statement to Record Ownership (REG 101) form. The incorrect applicant complete a Statement of Error or Erasure (REG 101) form explaining the error and state they have no interest in the vehicle. A REG 256 must be completed or a memo explaining the circumstances.

22.000 Introduction

Chapter 22 Corrections and Adjustments

This chapter contains procedures for corrections and adjustments to Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) records. Corrections are generally no-fee transactions. Adjustments are corrections to transactions which involve fees.

Chapter 22: Corrections and Adjustments

22.000 Introduction

22.005 California Certificate of Title Describes the Wrong Vehicle

22.010 California Certificate of Title Held by the Lienholder/Legal Owner

22.015 Change or Correction of Lienholder/Legal Owner Address

22.020 Change or Correction of Lienholder/Legal Owner Name

22.025 Change or Correction of Registered Owner Address

22.030 Change or Correction of Registered Owner Name

22.035 Changing the Body Type Model (BTM) and/or Weight

22.040 Changes to Engine or Fuel Type/Motive Power

22.045 Correcting a Vehicle Description Error

22.050 Credit From Prior Year Registration Fees

22.055 Incorrect License Plates and/or Year Sticker Issued

22.060 Lienholder/Legal Owner Omitted

22.065 Mismatched License Plates

22.070 Mixed License Plates and/or Registration Card

22.075 New Vehicle Incorrectly Reported by the Dealer

22.080 Nonresident Military (NRM) Becomes a California Resident

22.085 Renewal or Planned Nonoperation (PNO) Fees Paid on the Wrong Vehicle

22.090 Two Renewal Notices Received for the Same Vehicle

22.095 Vehicle Value Corrections

22.100 Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) Corrections

21.270 Yosemite License Plates (VC §5064)

Yosemite license plates are available in a sequential series or personalized with:
— Two to seven characters for automobiles, commercial vehicles, and trailers.
— Two to five characters for motorcycles.

A qualified existing ELP may be converted to a Yosemite license plate.

Yosemite License Plates belong to the owner and may be transferred to another vehicle.

Original Personalized License Plate Application—the following must be submitted:

The application must include:
A completed Special Interest License Plate Application (REG 17 (PDF)) form.
Original Yosemite Personalized license Plate fee.

If the REG 17 (PDF) is submitted in conjunction with a registration application, the following is required:
— The usual registration and/or transfer documents and fees.
— The REG 17 (PDF) and Yosemite personalized license plate fee.
—The license plates currently assigned to the vehicle must be surrendered.

Original Sequential Plate Applications—the following must be submitted:

• A completed Special Interest License Plate Application (REG 17 (PDF)) form.
• The registration card in the applicant’s name or the documents required to register the vehicle to the applicant.
• The license plates currently assigned to the vehicle.
• Original Yosemite Sequential license Plate fee in addition to any other fees due.

Renewal/Reassignment—Yosemite license plates require an additional fee for renewal and for reassignment of the license plates to another vehicle.

Retention—Yosemite license plates, both ELP and sequential, may be retained when the registration is not renewed if the license plate owner pays the annual retention fee.

21.265 Yosemite Foundation License Plates (VC §5064)

Yosemite license plates are available in a sequential series or personalized with:
— Two to seven characters for automobiles, commercial vehicles, and trailers.
— Two to five characters for motorcycles.

A qualified existing ELP may be converted to a Yosemite license plate.

Yosemite License Plates belong to the owner and may be transferred to another vehicle.

Original Personalized License Plate Application—the following must be submitted:

The application must include:
A completed Special Interest License Plate Application (REG 17 (PDF)) form.
Original Yosemite Personalized license Plate fee.

If the REG 17 (PDF) is submitted in conjunction with a registration application, the following is required:
— The usual registration and/or transfer documents and fees.
— The REG 17 (PDF)and Yosemite personalized license plate fee.
— The license plates currently assigned to the vehicle must be surrendered.

Original Sequential Plate Applications—the following must be submitted:

• A completed Special Interest License Plate Application (REG 17 (PDF)) form.
• The registration card in the applicant’s name or the documents required to register the vehicle to the applicant.
• The license plates currently assigned to the vehicle.
• Original Yosemite Sequential license Plate fee in addition to any other fees due.

Renewal/Reassignment—Yosemite license plates require an additional fee for renewal and for reassignment of the license plates to another vehicle.

Retention—Yosemite license plates, both ELP and sequential, may be retained when the registration is not renewed if the license plate owner pays the annual retention fee.

21.260 Year of Manufacture (YOM) License Plates (VC §§5004.1, 4463, 4463.5, California Code of Regulations (CCR) Title 13, Article 3.3, §§205.00-205.14)

YOM License Plates are officially manufactured California license plates issued in:

— 1969 or prior, for autos, trailers, and motorcycles, and
— 1972 or prior, for commercial vehicles.

In lieu of the license plates otherwise required for the vehicle, YOM license plates may be assigned to any currently registered:

— 1969 or older year model auto, motorcycle, or trailer of a corresponding model year.
— 1972 or older commercial vehicle of a corresponding model year.

• DMV must determine that the YOM license plates are legible and serviceable prior to assignment to a vehicle.
• Vehicles with YOM license plates:

— Have full operating privileges.
— Are not restricted to participation in historical vehicle activities.

• Replica vehicles, such as specially constructed vehicles (SPCNS) and Kit cars (for example, a replica of a 1928 Duesenberg Model J)) do not qualify for YOM license plates.
• YOM license plates must be supplied by the vehicle owner and authenticated by DMV personnel.

— Base year license plates must have the appropriate year validation sticker attached to the plate to be authenticated as other than the base year.

Examples:

— A 1956 license plate with a 1958 sticker equals a 1958 plate and must be placed on a 1958 year model vehicle.
— A 1963 license plate with a 1968 sticker equals a 1968 plate and must be placed on a 1968 year model vehicle.

Note A 1956 base license plate with a 1963, and newer year sticker is not valid for a 1963 and newer year model vehicle YOM registration.

• 1963 through 1969 year model autos, trailers, and motorcycles must use a 1963 black background and yellow character base license plate and a corresponding year sticker for the corresponding year model vehicle (unless it is a 1963, no sticker needed).
• Must be with the configuration series AAA000–YYY999.
• 1963 through 1969 commercial vehicles must utilize the 1963 black background and yellow character base license plates, with appropriate year sticker (if applicable) only.
• Must be within the configuration series A00000–Z99999.
• 1970 through 1972 commercial vehicles must utilize the 1970 blue background and yellow character license plates with appropriate year sticker only.
• Must be within the configuration series 00000A–99999Z.
• Blue and yellow license plates:

— Do not have a specific year model designation, but were not introduced until 1970.
— Valid for 1970–1972 year model commercial vehicles.
— 1970 through 1972 commercial vehicles must utilize blue background and
yellow character license plates only. 1963 base license plates with a 1970, 1971, 1972 year sticker does not qualify for YOM registrations.
— Must be within the configuration series 00000A–99999Z.

• Unique plate series, such as exempts, dealers, etc., will be authorized for currently qualified applicants only.

Example:
California dealer #103 (if currently licensed) would be allowed to use an authenticated 1956 dealer plate #103 on a 1956 vehicle registered to the dealership. The plates must be:

— original (legible and unaltered characters).
— a configuration authorized for the year of the vehicle entered on the application.

• Legitimate YOM specifications may be determined by verifying the license plate(s) against the license plate information contained in Appendix 1E.
• The YOM plates must be acceptable by DMV and may be rejected by DMV if the configuration carries any connotations offensive to good taste or have been restricted or removed from regular series license plates.
  — Two license plates are required for every qualifying vehicle, except trailers
  or motorcycles which require only a single plate. Exception: In 1945 and 1946, DMV issued only one license plate for all type vehicles, therefore only one license plate is required for a 1945 or 1946 YOM assignment, regardless of vehicle type.
  — The vehicle and the license plate must be compatible for any 1963 and newer vehicle.(Example: An auto license plate to an auto, a motorcycle license plate to a motorcycle).
  — Weight fees must be collected on all commercial vehicles.
• Because DMV does not have year model information for all historical vehicles, the YOM applicant may have to prove that the year model of the vehicle described in the application is correct

Original Plate Application—the following must be submitted:

In addition to the usual registration and/or transfer requirements, the application must include:

• A Year of Manufacture (YOM) License Plate Application (REG 352 (PDF)).
• Authentication of the license plates by DMV which requires taking the plates to a DMV field office.
  — DMV will also verify that the configuration is not duplicated and already in use on another vehicle.
• Surrender of the license plates currently assigned to the vehicle.
• Original YOM license plate fee

Displaying YOM sticker
The applicant will be issued a PYR (partial year) sticker showing the month and year of expiration, along with a metal permanent sticker well for displaying the PYR sticker.

• The well must be placed behind the license plate, extending above the upper right hand corner, or, if not possible, placed on the right side of the plate.
• The original sticker(s) on the license plate must not be removed from the license plate, or the validation will be void.

Transfer of Vehicle Displaying YOM Plates

• YOM license plates can remain on the vehicle when ownership is transferred if the seller releases interest in the license plates to the new buyer on a the REG 352 (PDF)for release of interest.
• The buyer completes a new REG 352 (PDF).

Renewal and Reassignment
YOM license plates require an additional fee for renewal and for reassignment of the plates to another vehicle.

The vehicle must be of the same year model as the vehicle from which the license plates are being removed.

Retention
YOM License Plates may be retained when the registration is not renewed, if the license plate owner pays the annual retention fee due by the registration expiration date for the vehicle last assigned the license plates.

Retention of Old License Plates (not YOM license plates) on Collector Vehicles
Under specific circumstances, DMV may allow a car collector to retain the old license plates that were originally assigned to the vehicle.

The original or photocopy of the California title or registration showing the plate number originally assigned to that vehicle must be submitted with the application.

• The plate configuration:
  — Must be available.
  — Not in a series reserved for issuance as any other plate series.
• Check with your local DMV office.

21.255 Window Decals for Vehicles With Wheelchair Lifts or Carriers (VC §5201)

Window decals (white background with black numbers and/or letters) displaying the license plate number assigned to the vehicle are available for no fee to qualified customers who have a wheelchair lift or carrier on their vehicle which obstructs the view of the rear license plate.

To qualify for a decal, the customer must:

Be a Disabled Person (DP) placard holder or transport person(s) with a DP placard.
OR
Own a vehicle assigned Disabled Person (DP) or Disabled Veteran (DV) License Plates.

Window decals (white background with black numbers and/or letters) displaying the license plate number assigned to the vehicle are available for no fee to qualified customers who have a wheelchair lift or carrier on their vehicle which obstructs the view of the rear license plate.

To qualify for a decal, the customer must:

Be a Disabled Person (DP) placard holder or transport person(s) with a DP placard.
OR
Own a vehicle assigned Disabled Person (DP) or Disabled Veteran (DV) License Plates.

To apply for a window decal
The applicant must complete Section D of the Statement of Facts (REG 256 (PDF)) form stating the:
—Eligible DP placard or DP/DV plate number.
— Make, identification number, year model, and license number of the vehicle to which the decal will be affixed.
— Applicant’s name, mailing address, and signature.

The REG 256 (PDF) must be mailed to:

Department of Motor Vehicles
Special Processing Unit MS D238
PO Box 932345
Sacramento, CA 94232-3450

Once the decal is manufactured, it will be mailed directly to the requester. The requester must allow six to eight weeks for receipt of the decal.

21.250 Veterans Organization License Plates (VC §5068)

Veterans Organization License Plates are available in a sequential series or personalized with two to six characters and may be issued to automobiles, commercial vehicles, trailers, and motorcycles (two to five characters).

Original Personalized License Plate Applications—The procedures must be followed:

A Special Interest License Plate Application (REG 17 (PDF)) form including the choice of decal.

• Registration in the applicant’s name or the documents to register the vehicle in the applicant’s name.
• The license plates currently assigned to the vehicle.
• The fees due.

Original Sequential License Plate Application—The procedures must be followed:

A Special Interest License Plate Application (REG 17 (PDF)) form including the choice of decal.

• Registration in the applicant’s name or the documents required to register the vehicle to the applicant.
• The license plates currently assigned to the vehicle.
• The fees due.

Exchange—Existing personalized license plates may be exchanged to personalized Veteran Organization License Plates.

Renewal/Reassignment—An additional fee is required for renewal or reassignment.

Replacement Decal—An additional fee is required for a replacement decal.

Retention—No additional fee is required.

Transfer of Ownership—The license plate remains with the owner and the transfer is processed as usual. Refer to Chapter 11 for transfer procedures.

21.245 Special License Plate Transfers (VC §5110)

Special License Plates may remain on a vehicle being transferred if the license plate owner of record releases his/her priority and the new owner wishes to retain the license plates.

In addition to the usual transfer requirements shown in Chapter 11, the procedures must be followed:

• A Special Interest License Plate Application (REG 17 (PDF)) form completed by the license plate owner of record with the transfer application showing the release of license plate priority.
• A REG 17 (PDF) completed by the new owner submitted with the transfer application showing they wish to apply for the license plate.

Special Circumstances—Use the following guidelines in situations involving personalized special license plates (license plate fees are due for these transactions):

For	Then
ForTransfers between husband and wife	ThenThe license plates assigned to the vehicle may remain with vehicle. The relationship must be established on a Statement of Facts (REG 256) form included in the application.
ForRepossessed vehicle	ThenThe license plates must be surrendered to DMV. Process as a license plate reassignment and issue no-fee regular series license plates to the repossessed vehicle.
ForDivorces	ThenAssume the license plates remain with the vehicle unless other information is furnished or a protest is received. If the person having ownership of the vehicle does not want to retain the license plates: Obtain a REG 256 form or REG 17 showing release of interest. Contact the Field Office Support Unit (FOSU) at (916) 657-6978 to determine the original applicant for the license plates. The license plates must not be destroyed until the license plate owner has been contacted. If the license plates are surrendered by someone other than the original applicant, contact the original applicant regarding transfer of the license plates to another vehicle, or a release of priority, if the license plates are no longer wanted.
ForDeaths	ThenThe license plates may be inherited with the vehicle. The relationship is not limited to husband and wife. The license plates must be surrendered if the applicant is other than an heir. The heir would be named on the Affadavit of for Transfer Without Probate California Titled Vehicle or Vessels Only (REG 5) form or in the court documents. The relationship of the transferee must be declared on a REG 256 if vehicle ownership is released by an administrator or executor of the estate.
ForOther family situations	ThenThe license plates may remain on a vehicle transferred between parents, children, and/or grandparents. A REG 256 form is not required if the transferee has the same surname and the same address. A REG 256 form is required when the related transferee has a different surname or different address.