12.140 Previous Registration in California

Some nonresident vehicles may have been previously registered in California within DMVs four-year file retention period.

The following must be submitted:

• A REG 343 (PDF) completed as shown in the Basic Registration Requirements section in this chapter.
• The last-issued nonresident registration as shown in the Basic Registration Requirements section in this chapter.
• Evidence of ownership. If the vehicle is registered in a:
  • Title-Issuing State: The title from that state or the California Certificate of Title and the nonresident registration card or a letter from the nonresident registration jurisdiction verifying that state did not issue a title.

Note A nontransferable (goldenrod) registration may be issued when there is an outstanding California Certificate of Title. An Application for Replacement or Transfer of Title (REG 227) form cannot be accepted unless the application contains evidence of prior California registration and that a nonresident title was not issued.

• Nontitle State: The California Certificate of Title or a bill of sale to the person shown as owner on the nonresident registration with the nonresident registration card or a letter from the nonresident registration jurisdiction verifying the California Certificate of Title was collected by that state and a REG 227.

• A Verification of Vehicle (REG 31) (PDF)form.
• For commercial vehicles:
  • If no changes/alterations have been made to the vehicle, a REG 256 (PDF) by the owner certifying there have been no alterations/changes made to the vehicle in lieu of a weight certificate.
  • If changes/alterations have been made to the vehicle, a California Weighmaster’s Certificate.
  • A REG 4008 giving the operating weight of the vehicle, unless the vehicle is a pickup with an unladen weight of 8,000 pounds or less.
• Fees. If the vehicle is:
  • Registered Previously in the Same Registration Year: Only the reregistration fee. The previously assigned registration expiration date is retained. However, the previous license plates are invalid and new license plates must be issued.
  • Registered in a Prior Registration Year: All appropriate fees.
  • Registered to New Owner: No transfer fee; however, all other fees are due.
• The previously issued California license plates, unless the plates qualify for retention under the old plates reassigned to a collector vehicle or Year of Manufacture (YOM) programs. Refer to Year of Manufacture (YOM) License Plates section in Chapter 21 for reassignment of old plates on collector vehicles and YOM License Plates.
• The out-of-state license plates.
• A smog certification, if appropriate

12.135 Out-of-State California Resident

A California resident located out of state may register their vehicle in California.

The following must be submitted:

• The documentation listed in the Basic Registration Requirements section in this chapter.
• A vehicle verification completed by a regularly employed peace officer from the state in which the vehicle is located. The odometer mileage must be recorded.

Note Any authorized California vehicle verifier, including a peace officer, can complete a REG 31 (PDF)including the emission label verification.

• For commercial vehicles, a weighmaster’s weight certification that contains the:
  • Vehicle identification number.
  • Unladen weight of the vehicle.
  • Name, address, and signature of the person making the certification.
• A REG 256 (PDF):
  • Showing the applicant’s California address.
  • Certifying they are a resident of California.
  • Stating the vehicle is equipped to meet California emission control standards or will be equipped when the vehicle enters California.

Note California noncertified vehicles and motorcycles with less than 7,500 odometer miles cannot be registered in California unless they are California certified. Refer to the Basic Registration Requirements and California Noncertified/Direct Import Vehicles Registration Refusals sections in this chapter for additional information.

• Registration fees from the date of application.

12.130 Nontitle (Goldenrod) Registration With a Name Change

A goldenrod registration application must reflect the name of the owner as it appears on the nonresident registration card. However, both the previous and current values may be listed on the registration card. This provides continuity of ownership when the outstanding title is later presented and complies with DMV’s true name requirements.

The following must be submitted:

• All registration requirements as shown in the Basic Registration Requirements section in this chapter with the exception of the title/ownership document.
• A REG 256 (PDF) with the Name Statement section completed.

Refer to the Nontitle (Goldenrod) Registration section in this chapter for additional information.

12.125 Nontitle (Goldenrod) Registration Conversion to California Title

Registered Owner Remains Same and No Lienholder is Shown—The following must be submitted:

• The last-issued nonresident (or California) title and any supporting documents that may be necessary, such as a power of attorney, lien satisfied, or bill(s) of sale.
  • Fees due for registration. No fee solely to convert to a California title.
  • A smog certification, if appropriate.
• Nonresident Title Only—Some states, such as Oregon, issue title only for a vehicle registered in California to record a vehicle lien held by a resident of that state. To obtain a California title, The following must be submitted:
  • The nonresident “title only.”
  • A REG 256 (PDF) completed by the owner stating there are no liens against the vehicle other than shown on the accompanying documents.
  • Any fees due for registration. No fee solely to convert to a California title.
• Transfer of Ownership—When a transfer of ownership and/or change of legal owner occurs in conjunction with conversion of a goldenrod registration to California title, The following must be submitted:
  • The last-issued nonresident (or California) title properly endorsed for transfer or bill(s) of sale, as needed, to establish the chain of ownership from the owner of record to the new owner/applicant.
  • A REG 343 (PDF) must be the top document if the title is not available or is an out-of-state title without a place for the new owner to sign (supported by bills of sale to establish a chain of ownership).
  • The new legal owner’s name and address must be entered on the title.

Note A transfer fee is not due when a title from the state of Washington is presented for a goldenrod conversion because Washington issues a clear title to the registered owner when the lien is satisfied.

12.120 Nontitle (Goldenrod) Registration (VC §4307)

A nontransferable nontitle (goldenrod) registration may be issued when out-of-state titling documents are not submitted at the time of application for California registration.

The following must be submitted:

• All registration requirements as shown in the Basic Registration Requirements section in this chapter with the exception of the title/ownership document.
• A completed REG 343 (PDF) including the name of any legal owner/lienholder, whether or not it appears on the nonresident registration.

12.115 Nonresident Title Only–Not Currently Registered

Refer to the Basic Registration Requirements section in this chapter for registration of a vehicle issued title only in another state, but not registered there.

12.110 Nonresident License Plates Used by Resident Business (VC §6702)

Every nonresident, including any foreign corporation, having an established place of business within California, and regularly using a vehicle of a type subject to registration, must immediately register the vehicle upon entry into this state.

12.105 Nonresident Military (NRM) Exemption (50 United States Code §574)

An NRM service member on active duty in California and spouse who lives with the service member qualifies for the NRM vehicle license fee (VLF) exemption on any vehicle or trailer coach, provided the vehicle is:

• Registered in the name of the NRM service member, their nonresident spouse, or both.
• Not operated for hire.

Military Personnel ID Verification—All branches of the U.S. Armed Forces (or Uniformed Services) issue a photo military identification (ID) card to military personnel and their dependents. The NRM member is the “sponsor” named on the dependent’s ID.

• Members of the Uniformed Services must present valid (not expired) military ID showing active duty status. The NRM must be the registered owner or lessee of the vehicle.
• Dependents of Uniformed Services members must present valid (not expired) military ID showing active duty status for the sponsor. The sponsor must be the registered owner or lessee of the vehicle.

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 also entitled to the VLF exemption privilege. To receive the exemption, a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO Status of Forces Agreement) (REG 5046) (PDF) form completed by the applicant must be submitted with the application and the applicant’s identity must be verified if the application is presented in person.

NATO’s 32 Country Members:

Albania
Belgium
Bulgaria
Canada
Croatia
Czechia
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Italy
Latvia
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Montenegro
Netherlands
North Macedonia
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Turkiye (Turkey)
United Kingdom
United States

NATO Members ID Verification

• A member of a force of a NATO country must present both of the following:
  • A personal ID card issued by the member’s home NATO country showing their name, date of birth, service organization, and a photograph.
  • Movement orders in the language of the member’s home NATO country and English certifying they were ordered to be in California.

Note Movement orders (assignment documents) can be from any one of the 31 NATO countries listed in this section, so the documents do not have a common format. Review each document to ensure it identifies the applicant, the member country, and the applicant’s assignment to duty in California.

• A civilian member of a country that is a member of NATO must show a valid passport from their home country that describes their status.

The following must be submitted:

• A Nonresident Military Exemption Statement (REG 5045) (PDF) form completed by the NRM service member or spouse.
• If the application is presented in person, a military ID for the NRM or spouse.
• If the application is submitted by a dealer or registration service, a copy of the military ID of the NRM or spouse.
• If the application is submitted by mail, verification of ID is not required.

Note NRM service member stationed in California may apply for the NRM exemption and also file a California homeowner’s exemption for an owner-occupied residence. The NRM spouse VLF exemption does not apply to service member spouses who are already California residents, even when married to an NRM service member.

12.100 Motorcycles–1978 and Newer Year Models

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) established regulations for on highway motorcycles beginning with 1978 year models.

Motorcycles with less than 7,500 miles that are 2006 year model and newer, with an engine displacement of less than 50 cubic centimeters (cc), and an emissions label indicating the motorcycle meets U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards for on-highway use should not be refused based on the California noncertified vehicle registration refusal guidelines.

Important Only a REG 31 (PDF) completed by an authorized DMV employee is acceptable on an application for on-highway (street) motorcycle registration of any motor vehicle currently registered as an off-highway vehicle (OHV) or titled with type license “C2” (title only). A REG 31 verification completed by other than a DMV employee is not accepted.

The following chart is to determine a motorcycle’s eligibility for on-highway registration:

If The Motorcycle Is a	The Motorcycle May
If The Motorcycle Is aNew motorcycle submitted on an Application for Registration of New Vehicle (REG 397)	The Motorcycle MayBe registered for on-highway use.
If The Motorcycle Is a1977 year model or older
If The Motorcycle Is a1978 year model or newer with an emissions label indicating it meets U.S. EPA and California standards for on-highway use or California Standards only for on-highway use	The Motorcycle MayBe registered for on-highway use, regardless of mileage.
If The Motorcycle Is a1978 year model and newer with an emissions label indicating off-road or off-highway use only	The Motorcycle MayNot be registered for on-highway use.
If The Motorcycle Is a1978 year model and newer with an engine displacement of 50 cc and larger without an emissions label
If The Motorcycle Is a1978 through 1981 year models, with an engine displacement of 50 cc and larger and an emissions label indicating it meets U.S. EPA standards only	The Motorcycle MayBe registered for on-highway use (California Code of Regulations, Title 13 §1958(d)).
If The Motorcycle Is a1982 year model and newer with an engine displacement of 50 cc and larger and an emissions label indicating it meets U.S. EPA standards only	The Motorcycle MayBe registered for on-highway use, unless it has less than 7,500 miles on the odometer (California noncertified).
If The Motorcycle Is a2005 year model and older with an engine displacement of less than 50 cc	The Motorcycle MayBe registered for on-highway use.
If The Motorcycle Is a2006 year model and newer with an engine displacement of less than 50 cc with an emissions label indicating it meets U.S. EPA standards for on-highway use	The Motorcycle MayBe registered for on-highway use.
If The Motorcycle Is a2006 year model and newer with an engine displacement of less than 50 cc without a U.S. EPA emissions label	The Motorcycle MayNot be registered for on-highway use
If The Motorcycle Is aSpecially constructed (SPCNS) vehicle	The Motorcycle MayNot be registered for on-highway use, if the motorcycle meets the definition of SPCNS (VC §580).
If The Motorcycle Is a

Note Any motorcycle or vehicle originally manufactured for off-highway use cannot be converted for on-highway use, unless it is manufactured for dual purposes.

Important If a motorcycle’s engine bears a small off-road engine (SORE) label, refer to the Original OHV Registration Applications section in Chapter 15.

12.095 Military Personnel–Signature by Relative (VC §1651)

The registration application for a nonresident vehicle being registered to an owner who is in the U.S. Armed Forces may be signed by the owner’s spouse or other close relative.

The owner’s signature must:

• Be countersigned by the relative.
• Have the relationship to the individual indicated.