6.050 Park Trailers (H&SC §18009.3)

A park trailer is a trailer designed for human habitation for recreational or seasonal use only, that contains 400 square feet or less of gross floor area, excluding loft area space if that space meets the requirements of H&SC §§18009.3(b) and 18033 (may not exceed a width of 14 feet at the maximum horizontal projections), is built upon a single chassis, and may only be transported upon the public highways with a permit issued pursuant to VC §35780 (a California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) permit).

All park trailers must be registered. Dealers, manufacturers, and salespersons may sell park trailers. Park trailers should have an American National Standards Institute (ANSI) label or data plate identifying the construction standards, and be licensed and titled by DMV. Park trailers are excluded from registration under the permanent trailer identification (PTI) program (VC §5014.1).

A park trailer will have a vehicle identification number (VIN), but no additional serial number stamped into the front cross member of the chasis. Park trailers are not required to have a 17-digit VIN.

Park Trailer Body Type Model:

In addition to regular or nonresident park trailer registration requirements, the following must be submitted:

The procedures below must be followed:

Note Park trailers have an 18-year VLF depreciation schedule, instead of an 11-year.

6.045 New Vehicle Sold for Export to Another Country

DMV requires owners to sign and present a Certification of Exportation (REG 32) in person at a DMV office when the owner is exporting a vehicle to another country by ship or air. All registered owners whose names appear on the title with and (/) must:

The REG 32 may be signed by power-of-attorney.

When a buyer indicates he/she is purchasing a new vehicle to export to another country.

The dealer must:

The buyer must complete a:

The following must be submitted:

Note Vehicles exported on military transports are exempt from this process. However, military personnel exporting vehicles via a regular carrier must submit a REG 32 and comply with export requirements.


6.040 New Vehicle Sold for Exclusive Use on Private Property

When a new vehicle is sold for exclusive use on private property, the buyer has the option of obtaining a title only. The requirements are as follows:

Department of Motor Vehicles Incoming Mail Unit MS A235
PO Box 944292
Sacramento, CA 94244-2920

6.035 New Vehicle Sales by a Nonfranchised or Used Vehicle Dealer

A dealer cannot advertise for sale, sell, or purchase for resale a new vehicle of a line-make for which the dealer does not hold a franchise (VC §11713.1(f)(1)).

Exceptions (VC §11713.1(f)(2))—This does not apply to transactions involving a:

Important Some of the vehicle exceptions above are not registered by DMV or cannot be registered as a condition of the exception. It is important to clarify the type of vehicle transaction before registering a vehicle.

When one of the exception vehicles is sold by a nonfranchised dealer or a used vehicle dealer, the following must be submitted:

6.030 New Vehicles Sales by a Non-Dealer

A dealer license is not required for buying, selling, or exchanging midget autos or racers advertised as being built exclusively for children, or minibikes, tote goats, or similar vehicles, or vehicles of a type not subject to registration, such as special equipment and implements of husbandry (VC §286).

Nondealers may buy, sell, or exchange a vehicle subject to registration if it is only incidental to buying, selling, or exchanging a vehicle not subject to registration.

Process the applications as transfers according to Chapter 11. Persons who prefer to operate as a licensed dealer may secure a dealer license.

A California dealer license is required for a California retailer of vehicles subject to registration.

Exception: A California dealer license is not required to sell a vehicle to a California resident who takes delivery in another state.

California manufacturers are not permitted to sell vehicles to persons not licensed for resale of vehicles (unlicensed dealers) (VC §11713.3).

When an application is received without a dealer’s Application for Registration of New Vehicle (REG 397) and the California manufacturer or retailer is not licensed, as required, the following must be submitted:

The procedures below must be followed:

Nonresident Dealers or Imports (VC §4000.4)—Refer to Chapter 12, for basic nonresident vehicle registration requirements.

6.025 New Vehicle Sales by a California Dealer (VC §§4150, 4150.5, 4456, 5901, and 11714)

California dealers must submit to DMV a completed Application for Registration of New Vehicle (REG 397) form or a Multiple Vehicle Report of Sale (REG 397A) form for all new vehicles sold by the dealer with any supporting documents and the fees due within 20 days to avoid penalties and an administrative service fee (ASF). As of July 1, 2012, or later, dealers must use REG 397 (REV. 10/2022) or later revision date.

Note A dealer cannot advertise for sale, sell, or purchase for resale any new vehicle of a make for which the dealer does not hold a franchise (VC §11713.1(f)).

The dealer, authorized employee, or agent for the dealer must submit:

The REG 397 is completed as follows:

SectionInformation Required
SectionDate First Sold as a New Vehicle (MM/DD/YYYY)Information RequiredThe date the buyer paid the purchase price, signed a purchase contract/security agreement, and took possession/delivery of the vehicle.
SectionDate First Operated (MM/DD/YYYY)Information RequiredThe date the vehicle was first operated by the retail buyer.
Note Fees are due based on the “Date First Operated” date.
SectionNRM/INDInformation RequiredThis box is checked if the vehicle is being registered to nonresident military (NRM) personnel, their nonresident spouse, or a member of a California Indian tribe living on a federal Indian reservation or rancheria in California. Refer to Additional Information in this section for fee exemption and
additional documentation requirements.
SectionMakeInformation RequiredThe make or DMV’s make abbreviation. The vehicle identification number analysis (VINA) program generates most makes. Key DMV’s make abbreviation if the make is not generated. Do not key the vehicle model as the make.
Note Trailers are not in the VINA program. Key the correct make if an incorrect make generates when the vehicle identification number (VIN) is entered.
SectionYear ModelInformation RequiredThe manufacturer’s designated year model.
• Do not return an application or a report of deposit of fees (RDF) for missing year model information.
• Do not write in a year model omitted by the dealer.
SectionBody TypeInformation RequiredThe body type model (BTM) abbreviation used by DMV.
SectionMotive PowerInformation RequiredThe motive power must be indicated for all vehicles.
SectionNumber of AxlesInformation RequiredRequired for commercial vehicles and trailers, except trailer coaches (CCH) and camp (CMP) trailers.
SectionUnladen WeightInformation RequiredRequired for commercial vehicles and trailers, except trailer coaches (CCH) and camp (CMP) trailers.
SectionVehicle Identification NumberInformation RequiredA valid 17-digit VIN must be shown for a passenger vehicle, truck, bus, motorcycle, trailer, or cab and chassis operated on the roads and highways.
Return the application to the dealer if the VIN does not pass the check-digit. Refer to Chapter 1 for additional information.
SectionM/C Engine Number or Additional Identification NumberInformation RequiredRequired for motorcycles. Use the serial number on the motor for an electric motorcycle’s engine number.
SectionOHV/MC Dealers OnlyInformation RequiredRequired for on-highway and off-highway vehicles.
SectionLength and Width in InchesInformation RequiredRequired for CMP, trailer CCH, and motorhomes. A Statement of Facts (REG 256) form with the motorhome length and width may be submitted.
SectionGVWR (Pickups only)Information RequiredGross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) is required for all pickup trucks.
SectionCounty of ResidenceInformation RequiredThe county the buyer lives in. It may differ from the mailing address county.
SectionSold toInformation RequiredTrue Full Name—The printed name of each buyer. Either the “AND” or “OR” box should be checked if more than one buyer is named. Documents are printed with “AND” if a box is not checked.
Note Leased Vehicles—The lessor’s printed name followed by the abbreviation “LSR” and the lessee’s printed name followed by the abbreviation “LSE” are required.
Equipment Number—Entered only on fleet vehicles.
Driver License/ID Card No.—The California DL/ID number must be entered for each registered owner or lessee (if the lessee is an individual). If a California DL/ID has not been issued, the out-of-state DL/ID number and state of issuance is shown. Do not request DL/ID number verification.
Return applications missing the DL/ID number information.
Do not key a fictitious DL/ID number.
Note A DL/ID number is not required for vehicles registered to a company, business, or trust.
Purchaser’s Address—The buyer’s business or residence and mailing address, if different. The trailer coach or vessel location is entered in the space for the mailing address.
Lienholder or Legal Owner—Must show a name and address or the word “None.” Return applications without this information.
Note The person entering this information should initial the entry, but do not return an application solely for missing initials.
Electronic Lienholder ID #—The Electronic Lien and Title (ELT) # is entered, if applicable. The lienholder name and address must be entered exactly as shown on the ELT listing which is updated quarterly.
Date—Must be completed.
Buyer’s Signature(s)—Must be completed.
Note Leased Vehicles—Only the lessor’s signature is required; the lessee’s signature is optional.
SectionCertificate of CostInformation RequiredLine 1A or B must be completed including checking the boxes on line A, the Date Purchased/Acquired, and the cost which is the full cost price of the vehicle to the buyer, excluding sales tax, license fees, or financing costs.
Note Federal Retail Excise Tax is included in the price on the first retail sale of a commercial truck or truck chassis with a gross vehicle weight (GVW) of 33,001 pounds or more and a permanent trailer identification (PTI) trailer or trailer chassis with a GVW of 26,001 pounds or more.
SectionOdometer Disclosure StatementInformation RequiredThe odometer reading, dealer’s number, date, signature(s) and Handprinted name(s) of the buyer and seller and dealers number.
SectionCertificate of Unladen Weight of Vehicle
(For Commercial Motor Vehicles Only)		Information RequiredOn new vehicles, dealers may certify to the unladen weight of commercial vehicles up to 8,000 pounds or over 10,001 pounds and all trailers. A weight certificate is required for any two-axle or three-axle commercial vehicle between 8,001 and 10,000 pounds unladen. Refer to Chapter 13 for exceptions to the weight certificate requirement.
SectionDealer’s CertificationInformation RequiredThe dealer must complete the certification. In lieu of a smog certification for a new vehicle sold by a licensed California dealer. This section of the REG 397 certifies to the statement made in the Statement of Seller and Certificate of Cost sections of the form and certifies that the dealer has a valid franchise on file with DMV to sell new vehicles.
Note The dealer may make corrections on any part of the REG 397 except the odometer disclosure section. The dealer or the dealer’s authorized employee/agent who signed the dealer certification must approve the correction by initialing next to the correction. Refer to Chapter 5 for errors made in reporting the odometer mileage.

Application for Registration of Multiple New Vehicles (REG 397A)

Dealers may use the REG 397A to report sales of identical new vehicles to the same registered owner.

Note The REG 397A does not provide operating indicia for the vehicles. Individual REG 397 forms must be submitted if operating indicia is needed.

The REG 397A requirements are:

Additional Information

Cab and Chassis— An incomplete vehicle that requires the installation of a body to complete the vehicle.

If the dealer installs a body on the cab and chassis received from the factory before the sale is complete, it is reported as a complete vehicle.

If the dealer sells the cab and chassis to a buyer that never intends to install a body, the vehicle is reported as a chassis only or cab and chassis. Refer to the New Vehicles Altered Before Registration section in this chapter for application requirements.

If the dealer installs a body provided by the customer, the vehicle is reported as a chassis only or cab and chassis and the application must include documentation for the body. Refer to the New Vehicles Altered Before Registration section in this chapter for application requirements.

Courtesy Deliveries—A new vehicle sold by an out-of-state dealer and delivered to the buyer by a California dealer . The application is processed the same as other dealer transactions. The California dealer completes the REG 397 and writes “Courtesy Delivery” on it. The vehicle must comply with California smog requirements and the California dealer must collect California sales tax. If the buyer was given the manufacturer’s statement of origin by the selling dealer, it should be submitted with the application.

Demonstrator Vehicles—A Used Vehicle Certification (REG 496) form must be submitted with the application. Only one co-owner signature is required.

Note A dealer who registers a new vehicle from his stock cannot charge a subsequent buyer any portion of the VLF.

Exempt Agency Sales—the dealer may give the REG 397 and supporting documents to the exempt agency. If submitted by a dealer, an Application for Exempt Registration (REG 5050) form completed by the exempt agency must accompany the REG 397.

Factory Deliveries—A California dealer who sells a vehicle to be picked up by the buyer at the factory must complete a REG 397 and submit it to DMV. Process the application as usual.

Foreign Resident In-Transit Permit—A foreign visitor who prearranges to buy a new American-made automobile or motorcycle in California before entering the United States, may obtain a 30-day in-transit permit. This permit allows them to operate the vehicle in California for up to 30 days, without payment of registration fees or sales tax. Refer to Chapter 25 for permit requirements.

Housecars—A Miscellaneous Certifications (REG 256A) (PDF) form with the Vehicle for Human Habitation section completed must be submitted in addition to the usual registration documents required for the application to determine the type of housecar being registered.

Leased Vehicles—The bank acquisition fee is not included when establishing the VLF classification. Refer to Chapter 3 for additional information.

Motorhomes—The length and width of a new motorhome must be entered on the REG 397 or submitted on a REG 256. Motorhomes that do not exceed 45 feet (540 inches) in the overall length or 8.5 feet (102 inches) in width may be registered in California (VC §§35100 and 35400).

Rollbacks and Unwinds (VC §5901)—A rollback occurs when:

The report of sale cannot be voided on rollbacks. All fees due, including any transfer fees, are payable upon the date of the first retail sale.

If a dealer sells a vehicle to a purchaser whose financing is rejected (requiring a new contract) and the replacement contract has a cosigner, another party added, or a new purchaser, the application is a rollback.

An unwind occurs when the report of sale document is completed by the dealer but must be voided because the sale was not consummated and the buyer never took delivery. Refer to Chapter 11 for additional information.

Vehicle to be Altered Before Registration—The dealer may give the application copy of the REG 397 to the purchaser when a new vehicle will be altered before it is registered. Refer to the New Vehicles Altered Before Registration section of this chapter for registration.

6.020 New Vehicles Altered Before Registration (VC §4150)

Cab and Chassis—A cab and chassis or chassis only requires installation of a body before registration of the vehicle can be completed. A cab and chassis with a body installed is considered a complete vehicle. For example, the addition of a trailer
hitch to a cab and chassis makes a complete vehicle and is assigned a body type of chassis with hitch body type model (BTM) “TRAC”.

If an application to register a cab and chassis or a chassis only is presented the procedures below must be followed:

Exception—If a body will never be installed, the following must be submitted:

Exception: A REG 256 is not required for vehicles registered to an exempt agency.

After a body is installed—the following must be submitted:

Evidence of ownership for the body or materials as follows:

If theThen
If theCost/value of the body or materials is $5,000 or moreThenThe original or copies of the original bill(s) of sale, invoice(s), or sales slip(s) are required.
If theCost/value of the body or materials is $4,999 or lessThenA REG 256 may be accepted in lieu of the documents indicated above.
If theInstalled body was removed from another vehicle owned by the applicantThenA REG 256 is required which states the body was removed from another vehicle owned by the applicant and indicates the license plate number of the vehicle from which the body was removed.

6.015 Multipurpose Vehicles

Multipurpose vehicles are designed primarily as passenger vehicles but also have a limited cargo carrying capability. Examples: Jeep, Bronco, Blazer, Scout, and Jimmy. Any of these vehicles with a permanently-attached top may be issued auto or commercial license plates.

Some manufacturers produce variations of multipurpose vehicles that are actually pickups, but their VIN configurations may generate a utility (UT) body type model (BTM). These vehicles include:

Note If the automated system generates BTM UT for these vehicles, change it to PK. These vehicles are subject to commercial registration and weight fees. Refer to Chapter 13.

Passenger Vehicle Registration—A multipurpose vehicle with BTM UT may be issued auto license plates provided the vehicle is used primarily as a passenger vehicle and is not modified or altered from its original design to purposely increase its load carrying capacity, which would make it subject to commercial registration.

Commercial Registration—To obtain commercial registration for a multipurpose vehicle, the following must be submitted:

Refer to Chapter 22 for body type corrections.

6.010 Manufacturer Sales to Charitable Organizations (VC §4150d)

Occasionally manufacturers make special sales of new vehicles direct from the factory to large charitable organizations, such as the American Red Cross. The organization is given a bill of sale as proof of ownership instead of a Manufacturer Certificate/Statement of Origin (MCO/MSO).

6.005 Manufacturer’s Certificate/Statement of Origin

The Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin/Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin (MCO/MSO) may be prepared at a factory, assembly plant, or business authorized by the manufacturer. All MCO/MSO forms, except those for off-road equipment, should be produced in an identical format and must include:

Note Reassignments made in the space provided on the MCO/MSO do not need to be notarized, even if a notarization space is provided.

Although variations exist, an MCO/MSO should be: 7” x 11” in size, on 60-pound paper stock or equivalent durability, and printed with security features that include:

Duplicate MCO/MSO—A duplicate copy of an MCO/MSO issued by the manufacturer is acceptable as proof of ownership. It must clearly state “Duplicate” on the face of the document, contain the same security features as the original, and contain the identical descriptive information, except for the issue date, as the original MCO/MSO. Any discrepancy invalidates the duplicate.

MSO Continuations—Any continuation to an MCO/MSO must clearly state “Continuation” on the face of the document and contain the same security features as the original. A “continuation” MCO/MSO must be used in conjunction with the original certificate.