Page 55 – California DMV

12.040 Definitions

50-State Vehicle—A vehicle that meets U.S. EPA and California emission and safety standards and is so labeled. These vehicles may be registered regardless of the odometer mileage.

California Noncertified Vehicles (CNCV) — Formerly known as 49-state vehicle, is a vehicle manufactured to be first sold in all states except California and meets only federal emission standards. These vehicles cannot be registered to a California resident who acquired or purchased the vehicle with less than 7,500 odometer miles unless the owner qualifies for an exemption.

California Resident (VC §516)—Any person who manifests an intent to live or be located in this state on more than a temporary or transient basis. Presence in the state for six months or more in any 12-month period gives rise to a rebuttable presumption of residency.

California Vehicle—A vehicle manufactured and certified to meet California emission standards and intended for first sale in California. New and used California vehicles may be registered regardless of odometer mileage.

Direct Import Vehicle—A vehicle that is not manufactured to meet U.S. federal safety requirements and/or U.S. or California emission standards and not intended by the manufacturer to be used or sold in the United States.

Nonresident—A person who is not a resident of California. For example, visitors or representatives of another state or country and military personnel who are residents of other states (VC §435).

Nonresident Military Personnel—Any nonresident owner of a vehicle registered in a foreign state who is a member 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 to be military personnel. This does not include civilian personnel employed by a branch of the armed forces (VC §6701).

Nonresident Vehicle—A vehicle that was last registered in another state or country.

12.035 Commercial Vehicles (VC §6852)

Reciprocity Granted—The nonresident owner of a foreign commercial vehicle is granted the same privileges and freedom from registration and payment of fees imposed by the Vehicle Code (VC) as the foreign jurisdiction in which the vehicle is registered/licensed grants to like vehicles registered under this code or as provided in reciprocity agreements, arrangements, or declarations made commencing with VC §8000.

Reciprocity between California and other states is based upon:

Agreements and arrangements completed between the Reciprocity Commission or the International Registration Plan Agreement and authorized representatives of other states.
Declarations by the Reciprocity Commission.
The conditions of reciprocity are indicated in the following chart.

If the Nonresident Vehicle Is a	The Vehicle
If the Nonresident Vehicle Is a Commercial vehicle from a state which does not have interstate reciprocity	The Vehicle Is subject to fees from the date of entry
If the Nonresident Vehicle Is a Commercial vehicle that operates interstate	The Vehicle Is subject to registration in California. Exception: Vehicles base-plated in Hawaii.
If the Nonresident Vehicle Is a Commercial vehicle from a state with which California has interstate reciprocity	The Vehicle May enter California and be parked without fees becoming due. Any subsequent interstate operation causes fees to be due immediately. Exception: Vehicles base-plated in Hawaii.
If the Nonresident Vehicle Is a Commercial vehicle registered as an automobile in the owner’s home state	The Vehicle • Is to be treated as an automobile for the purpose of determining when registration is required. • Would not be always subject to fees due on the date of entry. Many states register pickups as autos, not as commercial vehicles, and, in most cases, fees will be due on the date of residency.
If the Nonresident Vehicle Is a Commercial vehicle registered as an automobile in the owner’s home state	The Vehicle • Is to be treated as an automobile for the purpose of determining when registration is required. • Would not be always subject to fees due on the date of entry. Many states register pickups as autos, not as commercial vehicles, and, in most cases, fees will be due on the date of residency.
If the Nonresident Vehicle Is a Recreational vehicle	The Vehicle Is to be treated as an automobile for the purpose of determining when registration is required even if the vehicle is registered as a commercial vehicle in the home state.
If the Nonresident Vehicle Is a Station wagon	The Vehicle Is to be treated as a noncommercial vehicle for the purpose of determining when registration is required even if the vehicle is registered as a commercial vehicle in the home state.
If the Nonresident Vehicle Is a Commercial vehicle base-plated in Mexico or Newfoundland	The Vehicle Must obtain full-year registration (VC §9711). Interstate registration may be issued in conjunction with full-year registration. Note: Mexico and Newfoundland do not have reciprocity agreements with California.

12.030 Change of Registered Owner-section reserved for future revision

12.025 California Noncertified/Direct Import Vehicle Registration Refusals (H&SC §§43150 – 43156)

California noncertified vehicles (CNCV), formerly known as 49-state, meet only U.S. EPA emission requirements and are so labeled. California residents who acquire a CNCV, truck, with less than 7,500 odometer miles at the time acquired cannot register the vehicle in California unless the owner qualifies for an exemption.

New direct import vehicles acquired by California residents can only be registered in California if the owner qualifies for an exemption. Refer to the California Noncertified Vehicles and Direct Import Vehicles Exemptions section in this chapter. California registration fees are due immediately upon transfer of a nonresident vehicle from the owner shown on the nonresident documents. Penalties accrue if the fees are not paid within 20 days after the new owner’s date of purchase or 30 days from the new owner’s date of purchase, if sold by a California dealer.

12.020 California Noncertified/Direct Import Vehicle Exemptions

To obtain California registration, new California noncertified vehicles (CNCV) (formerly known as 49-state), must either have California emission equipment or certified to federal emissions standards to qualify for an exemption.

To register a CNCV with less than 7,500 miles, that is only equipped to meet federal emissions standards, vehicle owner must certify to one of the exemptions on the Statement of Facts Califorina Non-Certified Vehicle or New/Used Direct Import Vehicle (REG 256F) (PDF) form:

They inherited the vehicle or were awarded the vehicle in a divorce, dissolution, or legal separation, and the vehicle is certified to federal emissions standards.
They purchased the vehicle (out of state) to replace a California – registered vehicle (in their name) which was damaged or became inoperative beyond reasonable repair, or was stolen (submit a copy of registration, the repair estimates, or police report) while they were out of state and the vehicle is certified to federal emissions standards.
When they acquired the vehicle they were they were a resident, or on active military duty, in another state where the vehicle was last registered and is certified to federal emissions standards.
Emergency and certain other vehicles, as noted in the Vehicle Code Sections 27156.2 and 27156.3, must be certified to federal emissions standards.
The vehicle’s engine displacement is less than 50 cubic centimeters.

For a used direct import vehicle more than two years old upon date of entry through 1975 year model and not equipped to meet federal or California emission standards to be registered in California, the applicant must certify to one of the following exemptions on a REG 256F:

When they acquired the vehicle they were a resident of, or on active military duty in, another state for at least one year where the vehicle was last registered. The vehicle must have been certified under a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Certificate of Conformity and issued an approval letter from the U.S. Department of Transportation.
The vehicle’s engine displacement is less than 50 cubic centimeters.

The following must be submitted:

A completed REG 256F certifying to the applicable exemption.
Documented evidence of exemption.
All documents required for registration as shown in the Basic Registration Requirements section in this chapter, and if a direct import vehicle, all documents shown in the Direct Import Vehicles section in this chapter

If the vehicle cannot be registered because the applicant does not qualify for an exemption:

Do not collect any fees.
Pick up any temporary operating permit (TOP) or inventory issued (CVC §42230).
Advise the applicant that the vehicle must be removed from the state. The applicant may purchase a One Trip Permit (REG 402) or be issued a Vehicle Moving Permit (REG 172) to remove the vehicle from California.
Fax the Application for Title or Registration (REG 343) (PDF)form, Verification of Vehicle (REG 31) (PDF) form and a copy of the titling documents to TCS at (916) 657-6763 for placement of a VLT Stop Reason Code 89 on the vehicle record.

12.015 California Noncertified Vehicles

A California noncertified vehicle (CNCV), formerly known as 49-state, is manufactured to be first sold in all states, except California, and meets only federal emission standards. A CNCV cannot be registered to a California resident who purchased the vehicle with less than 7,500 miles unless the owner qualified for an exemption. Refer to the CNCV/Direct Import Vehicle Exemptions section in this chapter for exemptions and to the California Noncertified/Direct Import Vehicle Registration Referrals section in this chapter for refusals.

12.010 California Highway Patrol Registration Enforcement and Guidance (CHP REG) Program (VC §§4000–4000.4)

Because California experiences significant revenue losses when residents illegally register their vehicles in foreign jurisdictions, on April 30, 2004, the CHP implemented the CHP REG program, an online enforcement program which invites the public to assist in identifying vehicles that may be improperly registered, by reporting nonresident vehicles to CHP at https://www.chp.ca.gov/notify-chp/chp-reg-(out-of-state-registration-violators) or chp.ca.gov. Customers wishing to report vehicles should be referred to this website.

CHP evaluates the information on reported vehicles and sends a letter to the vehicle owner. Applications which result from having received a CHP letter and/or having a vehicle license title (VLT) stop, are processed as usual following the procedures in the Basic Registration Requirements section in this chapter, or if interstate (dual) registration is requested, the Out-of-State California Resident section in this chapter.

If customers have questions regarding this program, advise them to contact CHP online at chp.ca.gov or by mail at:

California Highway Patrol
Office of Public Affairs
PO Box 942898
Sacramento, CA 94298-0001

12.005 Basic Registration Requirements

The following must be submitted:

A completed Application for Title or Registration (REG 343) (PDF) form.
A California driver’s license or identification card (DL/ID) number for each registered owner entered on the REG 343. If an owner has not been issued a California DL/ID card, enter their out-of-state DL/ID number and print the state of issuance in the upper-right corner of the face document. Out-of-state numbers cannot be keyed into the system.

Note A DL/ID number is not required for a business or trust. For leased vehicles, the DL/ID number is required only when the lessee is an individual.

Evidence of ownership, as explained in the Evidence of Ownership section in this chapter. A complete chain of ownership is required, which could be:
- The out-of-state title.
- If the vehicle is being transferred through a dealer, the dealer may complete the dealer assignment section on the title or provide bills of sale to establish a chain of ownership.
- A Manufacturer’s Certificate/Statement of Origin (MCO/MSO) in lieu of a title, for a vehicle purchased but not registered, outside of California.
- The nonresident registration for a vehicle titled in one state and registered in another title-issuing state must indicate “no title issued” or show “none” in the title number box or the application must include a letter from the nonresident registration jurisdiction which verifies a title was not issued.

Note An Arizona “registration only” certificate shows “ARO” (Arizona Registration Only) on it.

Bills of sale(s) to establish a complete chain of ownership when the applicant is not the owner on the nonresident title or a bond may be required. Refer to Chapter 23 for bond information.
The last issued out-of-state registration or registration renewal notice for the current year or a letter, fax, or wire from the last registration jurisdiction which verifies the registration period.
Evidence of last registration is not required when a title indicating the last registration period is submitted as part of the application or fees are due from the date of:
- Entry or paid from the date of entry.
- Purchase by the transferee.
- First retail sale for a vehicle sold by a California dealer.
A completed Verification of Vehicle (REG 31) (PDF) form.
- The Statement of Facts portion of the verification must be completed by the applicant for minor discrepancies in the vehicle identification number, such as “5” for “S” or “2” for “Z”.

Exception: A REG 31 may not be required for a new commercial vehicle or new trailer purchased in another state, as explained in the Vehicle Verification Exceptions section of this chapter.

The odometer mileage disclosure on a complying title or a Vehicle/Vessel Transfer and Reassignment Form (REG 262) form, as appropriate. Although encouraged for all vehicles, odometer disclosure is not required for:
- Any vehicle 10 years old or older.
- A commercial vehicle with an unladen weight in excess of 8,500 pounds.
- A vehicle sold directly by the manufacturer to a U.S. government agency.

Note Key the mileage reading and code for odometer disclosure forms submitted for one of the above vehicles.

A REG 51 for California dealer sales.
A weight certificate for a commercial vehicle. A weight certificate is not required if the vehicle:
- Was previously registered in California and no changes have been made to the vehicle; however, the owner must complete a Statement of Facts (REG 256) (PDF) form certifying this fact.
- Is a two or three-axle motor vehicle weighing 10,001 pounds or more; however, a REG 256 with the estimated weight is required.
- Weighs less than 6,001 pounds unladen, empty, scale, or tare weight, as indicated on the nonresident title or registration.
- Weighs 6,000 pounds or less, weight with wheels (WT/Wheels) as indicated on the New Mexico Certificates of Title and vehicle registration.
- Is a trailer or semitrailer being registered under the Permanent Trailer Identification (PTI) program; however, a REG 256 with the estimated weight is required.
A Declaration of Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)/Combined Gross Vehicle Weight (CGW) (REG 4008) form for commercial vehicles over 6,001 pounds, except pickups.
A smog certification, if appropriate. The smog exemption for newer vehicles does not apply to nonresident vehicles.
The unexpired nonresident license plates and stickers or any drive out permit or license plate(s).

Note Switzerland license plates do not have an assigned expiration date and must be picked up. The license plates belong to the Swiss government, not the vehicle or owner.

Appropriate fees and use tax, if due.

Be sure to carry brands, such as salvage or junk, forward from nonresident certificates to the California record to brand California certificates.

Additional Information/Requirements—The following must be considered:

Motorcycles-1978 and Newer Year Models—1978 and newer year model motorcycles with an engine size of 50cc or larger must have an emission label affixed to the motorcycle with the manufacturer’s certification for on-highway use in order to be registered for on-highway use. Refer to the Motorcycles—1978 and Newer Year Models section in this chapter for additional information.

California Noncertified Vehicles (CNCV)—Formerly known as 49-state, bear a label certifying they only meet U.S. EPA emission requirements. A CNCV cannot be registered to a California resident who acquired/purchased the vehicle with less than 7,500 odometer miles, unless they qualify for an exemption. Refer to the California Noncertified/Direct Import Vehicle Exemptions section in this chapter for exemptions/registration and to the California Noncertified/Direct Import Vehicle Registration Refusals section in this chapter for refusal procedures.

Direct Import Vehicles—A new direct import vehicle cannot be registered in California unless it qualifies for an exemption. A direct import vehicle is considered new if it enters California or is obtained by a California resident before it is two years old. Refer to the California Noncertified/Direct Import Vehicle Exemptions section in this chapter for exemptions to Direct Import section in this chapter for registration, and California Noncertified/Direct Import Vehicle Registration Refusals section in this chapter for refusals.

Vehicle License Title (VLT) Stop, Reason Code 89—When registration is refused for a California noncertified or direct import vehicle, the Technical Compliance Section (TCS) in DMV headquarters places a VLT stop, reason code 89 on the vehicle record to prevent registration at a later date.

VLT Stop, Reason Code 89 cannot be removed and the vehicle cannot be registered later. Refer to the California Noncertified Vehicles and Direct Import Vehicles Registration Refusals section in this chapter for refusal procedures.

Exception: If the stop was placed prior to June 16, 2004, the vehicle may be registered if the applicant states they were previously advised that registration would be allowed based on the following criteria:

Valid evidence of exemption is submitted.
The vehicle reenters California after being registered or titled out of state and is being registered in the name(s) of a new owner(s) and has 7,500 or more odometer miles at the time of reentry.
The vehicle reenters California after being registered or titled out of state for one year or more and is being registered in the same owner’s name(s) and has 7,500 or more odometer miles at the time of reentry.

Junking a Nonresident Vehicle—If someone other than a licensed dismantler wants to junk a nonresident vehicle, refer to Chapter 7 for the requirements.When a nonresident or original (unavailable records) vehicle registration application contains an out-of-state or California Certificate of Title with a brand indicating the vehicle was previously junked or salvaged and has been revived, the $50 salvage inspection fee is not due.

Nonresident Park Trailers—Nonresident applications with documents showing the vehicle to be a park trailer are processed as usual. However, a REG 256 is required if the documents do not indicate the vehicle is a park trailer. The REG 256 must certify the vehicle is a park trailer and give its dimensions (width and length from the foremost point of the hitch to the rear of the trailer body).

Applicants unable or unwilling to complete a REG 256 may be referred to the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) for completion of the REG 256 by HCD personnel. Applicants referred to HCD may be required for a physical inspection of the vehicle and that HCD may charge a fee for the inspection.

International Traffic Vehicles—These are heavy duty commercial vehicles which are allowed to import and/or pick up merchandise and leave as expeditiously as possible. They enter California for the sole purpose of doing business and do not intend to remain here. Proof of insurance and interstate commercial registration must be verified. Note insurance and initial on the front of the application.

Commercial Vehicles Base-Plated in Mexico or Newfoundland—If the vehicle weighs more than 7,000 pounds unladen, proof of insurance from a company authorized to do business in California is required. These vehicles must have interstate registration. Minimum insurance coverage for these vehicles is:

$250,000 public liability per person.
$500,000 public liability per accident.
$100,000 property damage.
$600,000 combined total coverage.

Additional coverage is required for commercial vehicles hauling petroleum or hazardous waste (VC §16500.5 and California Public Utilities Code §3631).

12.000 Introduction

A nonresident vehicle is a vehicle last registered in another state or country.

Any vehicle based in California or primarily used on California highways must be registered in California, even if the vehicle is registered to a nonresident owner. A vehicle is considered to be primarily or regularly used on California highways if it is located or operated in this state for a greater amount of time than it is located or operated in any other individual state during the registration period (VC §4000.4).

When California registration is required, an application for original California registration must be made within 20 days of the date registration became due to avoid penalties or 30 days from the date of sale on the Report of Sale–Used Vehicle (REG 51) form for California dealers (VC §§4152.5 and 9553(c)(1)). Registration becomes due:

When a nonresident vehicle owner becomes a California resident. A person is considered a resident if California is the:
- State where registered to vote.
- Location of gainful employment or place of business. A person working for wages or operating a business is gainfully employed. Military personnel are not considered to be gainfully employed in California, even when they also hold a civilian job.
- State where resident tuition is paid at a public institution of higher education.
- Location where dependents attend a primary or secondary school.
- State declared for homeowner’s property tax exemption.
- Location of a property rented or leased for use as a residence.
- Place declared as the state of residence to obtain a license or any other privilege or benefit not ordinarily extended to a nonresident.
- State that issued the driver license in the person’s possession, except nonresident students. Refer to Nonresident Students section in this chapter.
- Place determined to be the state of residence as evidenced by other acts, occurrences, or events that indicate presence in the state is more than temporary or transient.
Upon entry into California, for a business with an established place of business within California and regularly using a vehicle subject to registration (VC §6702).