10.095 Nonreceipt of Renewal Notice
When a vehicle owner indicates they did not receive a renewal notice, the vehicle record must be reviewed to determine if there are any conditions that would prevent a renewal notice from being generated.
Change of Address—If a change of address occurred and DMV was not notified, the renewal notice is destroyed when it is returned “unclaimed” to DMV.
“Mail To” Address on File—A “mail to” address can only be added/changed/deleted by submitting a Notice of Change of Address (DMV 14) (PDF) form or submit a Change of Address online.
The procedures below must be followed:
- Key the new address.
- Instruct the applicant to complete a DMV 14 (PDF) or submit a Change of Address online.
- Paperclip the DMV 14 to the front of the application.
Notice of Release of Liability (NRL) on Record—If the applicant is:
- The registered owner of record, they must submit:
- The usual renewal requirements.
- The registration card or a REG 156 (PDF).
- The procedures below must be followed: Verify the applicant’s identity.
- Key the correct address, if incorrect.
- Collect the renewal fees and penalties, if due.
- Have the NRL removed from the record by following the instructions in the Removing a Notice of Release of Liability (NRL) From a Record section in this Chapter.
- Not the registered owner of record, they must submit:
- An application to transfer the vehicle into their name.
- Collect the fees due on a report of deposit of fees (RDF).
- Instruct the applicant to return the documents required for transfer with the RDF receipt.
10.090 Metal Tabs
Month and year metal tabs may be issued to:
- Commercially-registered station wagons assigned special license plates.
- Commercial vehicles used in transit-mix cement, asphalt-bituminous spreading, or garbage operations. These can be identified by a body type model abbreviation of CM or GG (TRMX, BMIX, GBG, RBSH, or SPRBSH on older certificates).
- Other commercial vehicles bearing special license plates with a REG 256 (PDF) from the vehicle owner.
10.085 Members of NATO
Members of a force or civilian component of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), who are not United States citizens and are shown as the registered owner or lessee of a vehicle are exempt from the vehicle license fee (VLF) portion of the registration. NATO member countries are listed in the Nonresident Military (NRM) Exemption section in Chapter 12.
The following must be submitted:
- A completed North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Status of Forces Agreement (REG 5046) (PDF) form.
- If applying in person, NATO member identification (ID) must be presented as follows:
- 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 member’s home NATO country language and English certifying they are ordered to be in California. Scan each document to ensure it identifies the applicant, the member’s country, and the applicant’s assignment to duty in California (movement orders do not have a common format.)
- A civilian component of a country that is a member of NATO must show a valid passport from their home country that describes their status information.
- A member of a force of a NATO country must present both of the following:
- Verify the applicant’s eligibility for the exemption.
- If applying in person, verify the applicant’s NATO member ID.
Note Mail applications may be processed without verification of NATO ID. - Dateline stamp and initial the ID and Movement Order or Passport Verified line on the REG 5046.
- Continue processing the transaction as usual.
Note It is not necessary to verify an applicant’s ID on returning report of deposit of fees (RDF) applications, if the REG 5045 has an original dateline stamp and initials.
Refer to Chapter 12 for additional NATO members exemptions.
10.080 Mailing Registration Cards and Stickers
The procedures below must be followed:
- Staple the stickers to the back of the registration card.
- Mail in a sealed envelope by first class mail.
- Whenever possible, use one envelope to mail multiple items to the same owner.
10.075 Mail Applications (VC §9557)
An application for renewal by mail is made when an application in an envelope addressed to DMV is placed in the U.S. mail or in a post box maintained by the U.S. Postal Service. The postmark date is generally considered the mailed date.
10.070 Late Renewals (VC §§9552 and 9553)
Vehicle registration must be renewed on or before midnight of the current registration expiration date or within 60 days after the date the registered owner is notified that the vehicle registration must be renewed (vehicle registration renewal notice), whichever is later.
A penalty is added when the fees due are not paid and the owner does not file the required Planned Non-Operation Certification (PNO) (REG 102) (PDF) form or file the PNO online for the vehicle.
Vehicles Not Currently Registered—Check the vehicle record for PNO status and:
| If a PNO Is | Then |
|---|---|
| If a PNO IsOn file | ThenRefer to this Chapter for requirements. |
| If a PNO IsNot on file | ThenFees and penalties are due. |
| If a PNO IsNot on file and the vehicle left California and returned in a subsequent registration year | ThenPrior year fees and penalties are: Due if the vehicle left California after the registration expired. Not due if the vehicle left California before the registration expired. The owner must complete a Statement of Facts (REG 256) (PDF) form with the dates the vehicle left, and returned to, California. Current year fees are due upon the vehicle’s date of entry into California. The owner may file a PNO if the vehicle was not towed or driven into California. |
10.065 California Native American Tribes/Tribal Members
California Native American Tribes and/or Tribal Member Vehicles—Vehicles owned or leased by California Native American tribes and/or tribal members living on a federal Native American reservation or rancheria located in California are exempt from the vehicle license fee (VLF). This includes vehicles operated on or off public highways. The exemption must be established annually upon renewal of registration.
The following must be submitted:
- A Miscellaneous Certifications (REG 256A) (PDF) form with the California Native American Certifications section completed along with the registration application.
Federally-Recognized Native American Tribe Vehicles—Vehicles registered to a federally-recognized Native American tribe and used exclusively within the boundaries and jurisdiction of the tribe are exempt from all fees, including miscellaneous city/county fees, except the registration fee. The fee exemption must be established annually upon renewal of registration.
The following must be submitted:
- A REG 256A with the California Native American Certifications section completed with the registration application.
- A letter written on Native American tribal letterhead which:
- Is signed by an authorized tribal council member, such as the tribal chief or secretary.
- Identifies the vehicle.
- States the vehicle is owned by, and registered in, the federally-recognized Native American tribal name and will be used exclusively within the boundaries of Native American tribal land, including any incidental operation on the highways within those boundaries.
10.060 Federal Heavy Vehicle Use Tax (FHVUT) (VC §4750)
Evidence of Federal Heavy Vehicle Use Tax (FHVUT) payment is required before registration may be issued or renewed for commercial vehicles operated at a combined gross vehicle weight (CGW) of 55,000 pounds or more. CGW is the total weight of the power unit, any trailers towed, and the weight of the load. Refer to the Federal Heavy Vehicle Use Tax (FHVUT) section in Chapter 13 for procedures and acceptable proof of payment information.
10.055 Farm Labor Vehicles (VC §4154)
Farm labor vehicle (FLV) registration cannot be renewed, unless the applicant submits a copy of a valid Farm Labor Vehicle Certificate (CHP 350A) issued by the California Highway Patrol (CHP). Vehicles identified as FLVs have “Farm Labor Vehicle” printed on the face of the registration card, which is issued by the Special Processing Unit (SPU) at DMV headquarters.
FLV Renewal—FLV owners are sent a renewal letter rather than a computer-generated renewal notice. The letter states the fees and the documents required for renewal.
The following must be submitted:
- The green copy of a valid Farm Labor Vehicle Certificate (CHP 350A).
- A smog certificate, if appropriate.
- Evidence of financial responsibility, if appropriate.
- Collect all fees due and issue a sticker.
- Send the application to SPU in DMV headquarters.
10.050 Evidence of Registration (VC §§4000 and 5204)
Evidence of current vehicle registration is the valid registration card and the appropriate validation stickers displayed on the rear license plate of the vehicle, except as follows:
Truck Tractors—The year sticker is displayed on the front license plate.
Commercial Motor Vehicle with a declared gross vehicle weight of 10,001 pounds or more, the year sticker is displayed on the front license plate.
Older Motorcycles—Some older motorcycle license plates have a square sticker well which is too small to properly attach the month and year stickers. In such cases, instruct the owner to place the stickers on the license plate so they do not overlap. The stickers may extend beyond the margins of the sticker well.