13.065 Housecars (VC §362)

A housecar is a motor vehicle originally designed, or permanently altered, and equipped for human habitation, or to which a camper has been permanently attached.

• Motorhomes, pickups with a camper attached, and van campers are housecars for registration purposes.
• Truck tractors with living quarters and horse trailers with an area equipped for human habitation are not housecars and cannot be registered as such.

In addition to the usual registration documents required, the application must include a Miscellaneous Certifications (REG 256A) (PDF) form with the Certification of Vehicle for Human Habitation section completed to determine the type of housecar being registered. The value of added equipment, the camper, and camper axle, if one is attached, must be included in the vehicle value for vehicle license fee (VLF) classification.

The REG 256A may be completed by the owner or by the dealer for dealer sales.

13.060 Fuel Tax Clearance (CR&TC §8995)

A Certificate of Excise Tax Clearance (CDTFA-1138) (PDF) form from the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) must accompany all applications for registered owner transfer of a commercial vehicle powered by a fuel other than gasoline or diesel, including a nonresident application in the name of someone other than the owner shown on the out-of-state documents and applications for transfer between two exempt agencies (for example, school buses sold between school districts).

Exception: Passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles weighing 7,000 pounds or less unladen, and two-axle trucks rented or leased for 30 days or less and used for private transportation without compensation which operate on fuels other than gasoline or diesel are exempt from fuel tax laws and the CDTFA-1138 requirement.

Fuel Tax Notification—DMV sends a computer-generated Fuel Tax Notification letter to the owner upon original registration or transfer of vehicles powered by fuels subject to a Use Fuel Tax Permit.

13.055 Forklift Trucks (VC §4013)

A forklift truck is exempt from registration if it is:

• Designed primarily for loading and unloading and for stacking materials.
• Operated or drawn upon a highway only for the purpose of transporting products or materials across a highway in the loading, unloading, or stacking process.
• Not operated along a highway for a distance greater than one-quarter mile.

Registration required — A forklift truck operated along a highway for a distance greater than one-quarter mile is subject to registration as follows:

If the Vehicle Is Moved	Then
If the Vehicle Is Moved Laden	Then Commercial registration is required.
If the Vehicle Is Moved Unladen	Then Automobile registration is required. The vehicle is exempt from the weight fee (VC §9409). The application must include a Statement of Facts (REG 256) form from the owner stating the vehicle will not bemoved laden over the highways to receive the weight fee exemption.

13.050 Financial Responsibility

Although VC §16058 requires electronic reporting of private-use automobile liability policies to DMV, commercial or business insurance carriers are exempt. Customers with vehicles covered by commercial or business policies may submit evidence of insurance and a completed Notification of Alternative Forms of Financial Responsibility (REG 5085) (PDF) form, on each initial registration or transfer of a vehicle.

• If not submitted with the application, a letter will be sent to the owner requesting proof of financial responsibility or the registration will be canceled.

Note Although vehicles registered to a business entity such as a company, corporation, LLC, LTD, DBA, etc. may have commercial or business policies, the REG 5085 may be used for any vehicle.

• An application for renewal must contain proof of financial responsibility on the vehicle record or proof must be submitted at the time of renewal.
  • The REG 5085 is not acceptable for renewals.
• The REG 5085 is not required for IRP vehicles, or vehicles being added to a PFR fleet.

13.045 Federal Heavy Vehicle Use Tax (FHVUT) (VC §4750 and U.S. Code, Title 26 §4481)

Commercial motor vehicles or buses that operate at 55,000 pounds or more combined gross vehicle weight (CGW) must have evidence of full payment of, or exemption from, the FHVUT before the vehicle can be registered. The CGW equals the total weight of the power unit, any trailers towed, and the load. The unladen weight of a vehicle plays no part in FHVUT determination.

FHVUT Tax Period (July 1 to June 30) — An electronically filed (e-file) Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Schedule 1, Form 2290 containing a legible watermark indicating the document was received by the IRS is acceptable as proof of payment for FHVUT. The tax must be verified only once during the registration period (proof of payment for PYR vehicles is furnished at the time of first registration during the calendar year). Proof of payment can be accepted for the immediately preceding taxable period for vehicles with expiration dates in July, August, or September.

Exclusions — The FHVUT requirement does not apply to:

• Applications for “Title Only.”
• Original or transfer applications in the new owner’s name submitted within 60 days of purchase or transfer.
• Vehicles not being operated.

Taxpayers may register their newly acquired vehicle subject to FHVUT without proof of tax payment if one of the following applies:

• They present the California Certificate of Title or an original or photocopy of a bill of sale showing that the vehicle was purchased within the 60 days prior to the date of application for registration.
• The vehicle was not registered in any state after the date of purchase. Proof of payment of, or exemption from, FHVUT is required:
• For parked vehicles placed into operation after July 1, 1985.
• Once during the registration period for a vehicle. For vehicles registered PYR, FHVUT proof is required at initial registration for the calendar year.
• For fleet vehicles. An IRS Form 2290 used to report FHVUT for a fleet of more than 21 vehicles does not list individual vehicle identification numbers (VIN) but may be accepted if the name of the taxpayer on the Form 2290 is either:
  • The same as the registered owner, and the total number of vehicles for which the tax has been paid is equal to or more than the total number of vehicles being registered.
  • Not the same as the registered owner and a written statement from the taxpayer is submitted, stating the tax for the current period has been paid for the vehicles being registered.

Note The IRS requires taxpayers to e-file Form 2290 when filing 25 or more vehicles. A watermarked Schedule 1, Form 2290 is returned to the taxpayer as proof of payment. end of note

• An inquiry to the database will show one of the following messages:
  • “FHVUT PROOF VERIFIED” or “Form 2290 verified.”

Acceptable Proof of Exemption — An original or photocopy of an IRS receipted Schedule 1, Form 2290 (electronically watermarked or manually stamped), listing the vehicle as exempt.

Acceptable Proof of Payment — Upon renewal of registration, any of the following may be accepted as proof of FHVUT payment:

• The original or photocopy of an IRS receipt Schedule 1, Form 2290.
• An electronically filed (e-file) IRS Schedule 1, Form 2290 containing a legible watermark indicating the document was received by the IRS is acceptable proof of payment.
• A photocopy of Schedule 1, Form 2290, filed with the IRS and a photocopy of the front and back of the cancelled check payable to the IRS for the tax.

Note The IRS does not accept partial payments for FHVUT; therefore, DMV no longer accepts evidence they are making payments to the IRS for FHVUT.

Other Applications—The procedures below must be followed:

• Verify the proof of payment, or exemption from, FHVUT and return the proof to the customer. For mail applications, attach the form to the application.
• Collect any fees due for the transaction and process as clearing. Do not suspense the transaction unless it is required for another reason.
• Issue a 30-day Temporary Operating Permit (TOP–REG 19) if operating indicia will be issued by DMV headquarters.

Note A one-time 60-day TOP may be issued to commercial vehicle owners having difficulty filing the FHVUT if the vehicle expiration date is July 31.

13.040 Farm-Labor Vehicles (VC §322)

A farm-labor vehicle is a motor vehicle designed, used, or maintained for the transportation of nine or more farm workers, in addition to the driver, to or from a place of employment or employment-related activities.

A farm worker is any person engaged in rendering personal services for hire and compensation in connection with the production or harvesting of any farm products.

A farm-labor vehicle does not include vehicles:

• Carrying only members of the immediate family of the owner or driver.
• Being operated under specific authority granted by the California Public Utilities Commission (PUC) or under specific authority granted to a transit system by an authorized city or county agency.

Note If a farm-labor vehicle is used to transport persons “for hire” (a fee is paid for the transportation of the farm laborers), the vehicle must be registered commercially.

13.035 Credit for Unused Weight Fees (VC §9408)

The owner of a California-registered commercial vehicle withdrawn from service in California before the vehicle’s registration expiration date may receive credit for any unused weight fee to be applied to another vehicle. Sale of a vehicle does not constitute withdrawal from service.

Note The CVRA Motor Vehicle Fund Fee cannot be prorated or used for weight fee credit calculation.

“Withdrawn from service” means:

• Removing a vehicle from service with no intention of operating it on California highways during the remainder of the registration year for which registration is valid.
• Dismantling or junking a vehicle.

Refer to Chapter 19 for reregistration of a vehicle withdrawn from service but not junked.

Weight Fee Credit —To receive a weight fee credit, the registered owner/lessee must:

• Be the same for the vehicle withdrawn from service and the vehicle to which the weight fee credit will be applied.
• Complete a Statement of Facts (REG 256) (PDF) form requesting a weight fee credit for the vehicle being withdrawn from service.
• Surrender the license plates and sticker from the vehicle being withdrawn from service or complete a REG 256 stating the disposition of the license plates.
• Submit the California Certificate of Title if the vehicle being withdrawn is to be dismantled or junked.
• Submit the replacement vehicle registration application within 90 days of the date a vehicle is withdrawn from service.

The procedures below must be followed:

• If the replacement vehicle application is presented at the same time, write “withdrawn from service, weight fee credit applied to (replacement vehicle license number)” on the front of the application for the withdrawn vehicle:
  • Only apply credit to one replacement vehicle. Weight fee credit in excess of the weight fee due on the replacement vehicle cannot be refunded or applied to another vehicle.
  • Only give credit to the replacement vehicle in the amount of weight fee due for the remaining months, prorated from the month following the month of withdrawal.
  • Not give credit for the month or months between the time the vehicle is withdrawn and the date the fees are due on the replacement vehicle.
• If the withdrawn vehicle application has been forwarded to DMV headquarters:
  • Collect the full weight fee due on the replacement vehicle.
  • Suspense the replacement vehicle application to the appropriate Registration Processing Unit (RPU) in DMV headquarters for verification of the weight fee credit.
  • Note the license plate number of the withdrawn vehicle on the replacement vehicle application.
  • Inform the customer that DMV headquarters will refund any excess fees after the credit from the withdrawn vehicle is applied.

Replacement Vehicle

The following must be submitted:

• Submit a REG 256 requesting a weight fee credit be applied from a vehicle withdrawn from service and listing the license plate number of the vehicle withdrawn.

The procedures below must be followed:

• Write on the replacement vehicle application “Weight fee credit (dollar amount) from License number (show license number of withdrawn vehicle).”

Important Reference to the vehicle withdrawn from service must be made to make a determination of the weight fee credit amount.

• Collect the weight fee credit service fee (see Appendix 1F), any difference in the weight fees due after the credit is applied, and any other fees due. Use Fee Waiver Code “W” to waive the appropriate portion of the generated weight fee for the replacement vehicle.
• Issue commercial license plates and month and year stickers.
  

13.030 Conversion From Commercial to Auto License Plates (VC §465)

The vehicle owner may exchange the commercial license plates assigned to the vehicle for auto license plates on the following passenger-type vehicles:

• Passenger vehicles that do not transport persons “for hire.”
• Station wagons.
• Pickup trucks with a permanently attached camper or camper shell. Adding a camper shell to a pickup truck does not necessarily constitute a change from commercial to auto registration. The addition must meet the definitions for human habitation or camping purposes. Otherwise the vehicle owner may be subject to citation from law enforcement for not meeting the definition of an auto.
• Vans modified for human habitation.
• Multi-purpose vehicles.
• Hearse body type model (BTM) HR.

To convert from commercial to auto license plates, the following must be submitted:

• The California Certificate of Title.
• A Miscellaneous Certifications (REG 256A) (PDF) form with the Certification of Vehicle for Human Habitation section completed if the vehicle is a pickup with a camper attached or a van modified for human habitation.
  Important When a REG 256A is submitted, advise the customer that removal of the camper will require commercial registration and weight fees to be due.

• A Statement of Facts (REG 256) (PDF) form stating the vehicle has been changed/altered to meet the definition of a station wagon as defined in VC §585.
• The commercial license plates currently assigned to the vehicle.

The procedures below must be followed:

• Adjust the vehicle license fee (VLF) class, as needed, to reflect the current market value of the modified vehicle. Refer to the Body Changes and Alterations section in this chapter for reclassification information.
• Issue auto license plates and month and year stickers.
  — Change the type license to “11.”
  — Change the BTM to SW.
  
  Note If the BTM is changing from “TAXI” to an auto BTM, collect the prior history fee for marking DMV records. Key “T” for prior taxi in the PRIOR HISTORY field on the DATA COLLECTION screen.
  

13.025 Conversion From Auto to Commercial License Plates (VC §260)

The following vehicles may be registered with auto or commercial license plates:

• Pickup trucks with a camper permanently attached body type code (BTC) PM.
• Station wagons, refer to the Station Wagons and Multipurpose Vehicles sections in this chapter.
• Passenger-type vehicles transporting persons for hire.

Note The prior history fee for passenger vehicles being changed to “TAXI” is not collected until the body type is changed from “TAXI” to a regular auto body type and auto license plates are issued.

Clearance Requirements—When converting from auto to commercial plates, the following must be submitted:

• The Certificate of Title.
• A weight certificate, unless the Certificate of Title shows a weight code.
• A Request for Commercial Registration of a Passenger Vehicle (REG 590) form for passenger-type vehicles transporting persons for hire, compensation, or profit, unless the vehicle is registered in the name of a taxicab company.
• A completed a Statement of Facts (REG 256) (PDF) form explaining that the vehicle is registered in the name of an individual and that is also the name of the business.
• A REG 256 with the Statement for Vehicle Body Change section completed if the camper was removed from a pickup truck and the value of a camper is $2,000 or more.
• Any fees due. There is not a fee for the change of license plates.

The procedures below must be followed:

• Change VLF Class on the title/registration to show the current market value of the pickup only if a camper valued at $2000 or more was removed.
• Prorate the weight fees from the date of first operation “for hire.” Weight fees must be paid within 20 days of the date the fees become due to avoid a penalty. This includes station wagons with commercial registration.
• Pick up the auto license plates previously assigned to the vehicle.
  

13.020 Commercial Vehicle Registration Act of (CVRA) Weight and Weight Codes

The fees for commercial motor vehicles registered on or after December 31, 2001, are based either on the unladen weight, the declared gross vehicle weight, or the combined gross vehicle weight. Owners of commercial motor vehicles with an unladen weight of 6,001 pounds or more except pickups must complete, date, and sign a Declaration of Gross Vehicle Weight/Combined Gross Vehicle Weight (REG 4008) form to declare the maximum operating weight of their vehicles with a load.

Declared GVW—The weight that equals the total unladen weight of the vehicle plus the weight of the heaviest load that will be transported on the vehicle. (Vehicles that haul a load but do not pull another vehicle).

Declared CGW—The weight that equals the total unladen weight of the combination of vehicles (motor vehicle and trailer), plus the heaviest load that will be transported by that combination (vehicles that pull another vehicle).

Motor vehicles with a GVW/CGW of 10,001 pounds or more are assessed CVRA fees rather than a weight fee (the vehicle is still subject to the registration fee, vehicle license fee, and any city/county fees). The law enforcement and county fees are higher for vehicles operating at 10,001 pounds or more, as shown in Appendices 1A and 1F.

Excluded Vehicles—The following vehicles are excluded from the CVRA:

• Pickup trucks continue to be registered by the unladen weight and assessed a weight fee regardless of the vehicle’s GVW. The unladen weight of a pickup cannot exceed 8,000 pounds and its GVW rating must be less than 11,500 pounds.
• Light-weight trucks, vans, taxis, and rental limousines (including charter-party carriers operating limousines that pick up and deliver airport passengers) are registered by the unladen weight only if the vehicle’s GVW is 10,000 pounds or less.
• Commercial motor vehicles issued Special Equipment (SE) license plates or exempt license plates. These vehicles are not subject to a weight fee or CVRA fees.
• Electric commercial vehicles and electric passenger vehicles transporting passengers for hire are subject to electric vehicle weight fees based on the unladen weight of the vehicle (refer to Appendix 1F for electric vehicle weight fees).

Original Registration and Transfer Requirements—In addition to the usual registration/transfer requirements, the following must be submitted:

• The unladen weight, which may be estimated for commercial vehicles, including vehicles subject to the CVRA.
• For commercial vehicles with an unladen weight of 6,001 pounds or more, complete a REG 4008 with the operating weight of the vehicle, even if the new owner will be operating the vehicle at the same weight.

• Exception: A REG 4008 is not required for pickups with an unladen weight of 8,000 pounds or less. The registration, city, county, vehicle license fee ( VLF), and:
  • Weight fees based on the vehicle’s unladen weight for pickups with an unladen weight of 8,000 pounds or less and commercial vehicles with a gross operating weight of 10,000 pounds or less.
  • CVRA fees and the CVRA weight decal fee for commercial vehicles with a gross operating weight of 10,001 pounds or more.

Refer to Appendix 1A for City/County Fees and Appendix 1F for all other fees.

CVRA Weight Decals and CVRA Year Stickers—All CVRA-registered vehicles are issued CVRA weight decals and year stickers in addition to the regular (ACTM) year sticker. CVRA weight decals are issued once upon initial CVRA registration with CVRA year stickers. On subsequent renewals only CVRA and ACTM year stickers are issued unless the vehicle changes weight or duplicate decals are requested (CVRA and ACTM year stickers will be the same color).

• A CVRA weight decal fee is due on each original, renewal, or change of declared GVW application. Do not waive this fee.
• Check the newly-issued registration card for the GVW code to determine the correct decals to issue (see the chart below). The decal indicates the highest GVW/CGW at which the vehicle may be operated.

Weight and Weight Codes

Exception: Decals showing “54” are valid for a vehicle operating up to 54,999 pounds GVW/CGW.

Weight Code	GVW Range	Decal # Issued
Weight CodeA	GVW Range10,000–15,000	Decal # Issued15
Weight CodeB	GVW Range15,001–20,000	Decal # Issued20
Weight CodeC	GVW Range20,001–26,000	Decal # Issued26
Weight CodeD	GVW Range26,001–30,000	Decal # Issued30
Weight CodeE	GVW Range30,001–35,000	Decal # Issued35
Weight CodeF	GVW Range35,001–40,000	Decal # Issued40
Weight CodeG	GVW Range40,001–45,000	Decal # Issued45
Weight CodeH	GVW Range45,001–50,000	Decal # Issued50
Weight CodeI	GVW Range50,001–54,999	Decal # Issued54
Weight CodeJ	GVW Range55,000–60,000	Decal # Issued60
Weight CodeK	GVW Range60,001–65,000	Decal # Issued65
Weight CodeL	GVW Range65,001–70,000	Decal # Issued70
Weight CodeM	GVW Range70,001–75,000	Decal # Issued75
Weight CodeN	GVW Range75,001–80,000	Decal # Issued80

• Issue the CVRA weight decals and the CVRA and ACTM year stickers.
  Note Issue CVRA weight decals and year stickers on completed transactions only.

The CVRA weight decals and year stickers must be displayed on the right and left sides of the vehicle.

Refer to CVRA for duplicate weight decals and/or CVRA weight stickers section in this Chapter.

Multiple New Vehicle Sales—One REG 4008 (and a supplemental listing, if necessary) showing the vehicle identification number (VIN) and operating weight of each vehicle is acceptable for multiple identical new vehicles sold to the same owner on an Application for Registration of Multiple New Vehicles (REG 397A) form or on an Application For Registration Of New Vehicle (REG 397) form provided the separate REG 397 forms are submitted together to DMV with the make and VIN of the vehicle that has the REG 4008 attached, noted in the upper
portion of each REG 397.

Auxiliary Dolly/Tow Dolly—Tow dollies or auxiliary dollies are not required to be registered. The owners can opt to register tow dollies in the Permanent Trailer Identification (PTI) program, as explained in Chapter 14.

Body Changes—When a body change occurs on a commercial vehicle that operates at 10,001 pounds or more, a REG 4008 must be submitted with the application to correct the body type, etc.

Note New CVRA weight decals and stickers must be issued if there is a vehicle weight change on completed transactions only.

California Certificate of Title/Registration Card Weight Information

• The California Certificate of Title will display only the unladen weight.
• The registration card will display the unladen weight if the truck is operated at 10,000 pounds or less unladen and will display the maximum declared GVW/CGW for vehicles paying CVRA fees.

Changes in Declared Operating Weight—If the declared operating weight of a vehicle:

• Increases during the registration period, additional CVRA fees are due for the remainder of the year.
• Decreases during a registration period, CVRA fees are not refundable. One day of operation at the higher weight causes fees to be due at that weight.

Note New CVRA weight decals and stickers must be issued when there is a vehicle weight change on completed transactions only.

CHP and County Fees—Vehicles subject to CVRA fees pay additional fees for SAFE, Fingerprint, Auto Theft, Abandoned Vehicle, and CHP, as shown in the Appendix 1A.

Equipment Excluded From Unladen Weight—Certain equipment is excluded when determining the unladen weight of a vehicle and is not excluded when calculating the GVW/CGW of the vehicle and its load (VC §§288 and 289).

Equipment Excluded From Weight Declaration (Implements of Husbandry)—The declared GVW of a vehicle subject to CVRA may exclude the GVW of the towed vehicle when all of the following are true:

• The vehicle is owned by a farmer, operated by the farmer or their employees, and used only for conducting agricultural business.
• In that business, the vehicle tows an implement of husbandry or an SE-plated vehicle.

Tow Trucks—Tow trucks used to assist the motoring public or to tow or carry impounded vehicles are subject to CVRA fees, based on the tow truck’s declared GVW, not a CGW.