If your driver’s license, permit, or vehicle registration has been suspended, you can submit required documents, pay your fees, and check your status by choosing your category below.
Manage my Suspension
Driver's License
If you have outstanding Reissue Fees on your driver’s license record, you may qualify to pay them online.
Vehicle Registration
If your vehicle registration is suspended (or will be soon), you may check the status of your suspension and submit proof of insurance.
Motor Carrier Permit
If your Motor Carrier Permit (MCP) has been suspended, you may start an MCP application for reinstatement.
Occupational License
If your Occupational License (OL) is suspended, you may reinstate your license using the OL online services.
Additional Information
Driving Privileges
Sometimes, a driver’s declining mental or physical state means that they can no longer drive safely. A reexamination of a driver’s skill helps to determine if they might be a risk to traffic safety. If you are required to appear for a reexamination to show your ability to safely operate a motor vehicle, the DMV’s Reexamination Process (PDF) will help you to prepare. The Evaluation Guidelines describe what DMV takes into account when evaluating drivers for issues that may impair their ability to drive.
In addition to a driver license (DL) of the appropriate class, drivers who transport passengers or hazardous cargo are also required to have a certificate or DL endorsement that allows them to do so. The DMV is responsible for monitoring the driver record of people holding and applying for endorsements or certificates. DMV notifies employers of additions to the driver record and takes appropriate action to protect the public. DMV can refuse, suspend, or revoke a certificate or endorsement.
- Browse the California DMV’s FAQs for DUI, including questions around restricted licenses, license suspensions, and court hearings.
- All repeat and all injury-involved DUI offenders are required to install an Ignition Interlock Device for a time-period ranging from one to four years, depending on the number of prior DUI.
- If you have received a DUI conviction in California but reside in another state, you may be eligible to reinstate your driving privilege without completing the California DUI reinstatement requirements. Learn more about Termination Of Action For Out-Of-State Residents.
DMV is authorized under California Vehicle Code (CVC) §13800 (a) to investigate fatal and serious injury accidents to determine if the driving privilege should be revoked, suspended, restricted, or placed on probation. This section clarifies issues and policy regarding actions taken against driving privileges based on accidents that cause fatal and serious injuries.
If you provide false documents to DMV, such as a forged birth certificate or other documents, DMV may take action against your driving privilege. The fraud guidelines contain information on actions DMV may take based on false documents submitted for legal presence, driver’s license (DL) applications and tests, medical reports, and alcohol program completion certificates.
Learn about the Negligent Operator Treatment System (NOTS), negligent operator points, DMV hearings, and what happens if you are involved in a fatal/serious injury collision.
A reissue fee is a fee paid to reinstate a driving privilege which has been suspended or revoked. Reissue fees that can be paid online:
- $15 DMV Admin Fee
- $55 Reissue Fee
- $125 Admin Per Se Reissue Fee
Vehicle Registration
You can add an Affidavit Of Non-Use to notify the DMV that a currently registered vehicle is not being operated or parked on any California roadway, and that the liability coverage has been cancelled to avoid registration suspension.
Every legal driver is required to have evidence of financial responsibility (insurance). California’s insurance laws require that people who own or operate motor vehicles in the state be financially able to provide monetary protection. The Vehicle Registration Financial Responsibility Program is required to suspend a vehicle’s registration when:
- Insurance information is not submitted to DMV within 30 days of being issued a registration card.
- DMV is notified that the vehicle’s insurance policy was cancelled and a replacement policy isn’t submitted within 45 days.
- The vehicle’s owner provided false proof of insurance to obtain the registration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Law enforcement and court personnel will see the status of your insurance on the vehicle record when making an inquiry into the DMV database.
No. If the registration is suspended when the renewal notice is printed, you will not be given the option of renewing your vehicle registration via the Internet. The renewal notice will provide instructions for clearing the suspension and renewing the registration.
When a vehicle with a suspended registration is transferred to a new owner, the reinstatement fee is waived. The new owner is required to submit proof of insurance within 30 days of the date a new registration card is issued.
The Vehicle Registration Suspensions and Insurance Program system provides up-to-date vehicle registration insurance suspension status and reinstatement requirements including options to submit a reinstatement fee payment, submit insurance information, and submit/remove an Affidavit of Non-Use (ANU).
You will be notified by mail if your vehicle registration is subject to suspension. If you do not respond by the suspension effective date on the notice and a suspension occurs, a second notice will be mailed.
You must submit evidence of financial responsibility and pay a $14 reinstatement fee. This process can be completed by visiting the Vehicle Registration Suspensions and Insurance Program page, by mailing insurance and payment to the Vehicle Registration Financial Responsibility Program, or by using the automated voice system at 1-800-777-0133.
No. This process can only be completed by visiting the Vehicle Registration Suspensions and Insurance Program system, by mailing insurance and payment to the Vehicle Registration Financial Responsibility Program, or by using the automated voice system at 1-800-777-0133.
Yes. This process can be completed by visiting the Vehicle Registration Suspensions and Insurance Program page.
The Vehicle Registration Suspensions and Insurance Program system and the automated voice system payment options are e-check and credit/ATM/debit including Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover cards. When paying by mail, the Vehicle Registration Financial Responsibility Program accepts checks, money orders, and cashier’s checks. Please do not mail cash.
There may be an error in the vehicle identification number on your insurance policy or your registration card. Compare each to the actual number on your vehicle. If there is an error, you should take one of the following actions prior to the suspension effective date:
- If your insurance documents do not match the vehicle, you should contact your insurance company to have the information corrected and resubmitted to DMV.
- If your registration does not match the vehicle, you must take your ownership document (Certificate of Title, “pink slip”) and the vehicle to DMV so that a DMV employee can verify the vehicle identification number on the vehicle and make the correction to the vehicle record.
No. Both the reinstatement fee and proof of insurance must be submitted to the Vehicle Registration Financial Responsibility Program to reinstate the registration.
Yes. A vehicle with suspended registration cannot be renewed until the suspension is cleared. You may pay the registration fees prior to the expiration date to avoid late penalties; however, the sticker and registration will not be issued until the reinstatement fee and proof of insurance are submitted to the Vehicle Registration Financial Responsibility Program.
No. If the registration is suspended when the renewal notice is printed the vehicle cannot be renewed via the Internet. The renewal notice will provide instructions for clearing the suspension and renewing the registration.
You have 30 days from the date of the notice for newly acquired vehicles and 45 days from the date of the notice for a cancelled policy. DMV must receive the proof of financial responsibility prior to the suspension effective date printed on the notice.
No; however, if the vehicle is operated or parked on the roadway while the registration is suspended you will be subject to citation.
No. If the proof of financial responsibility is received by DMV prior to the suspension effective date, the suspension will not go into effect. If your vehicle registration is suspended, and you can prove that your vehicle was insured prior to the effective date of suspension, you may request that the action be dismissed by mailing proof of liability insurance to DMV, PO Box 997408, MS N305, Sacramento, CA 95899-7408.
Your vehicle registration will be suspended if you do not respond to the notice, even if you did not receive it. If your vehicle registration is suspended, and you can prove that your vehicle was insured prior to the effective date of suspension, you may request that the action be dismissed by mailing proof of liability insurance to
DMV
PO Box 997408, MS N305
Sacramento, CA 95899-7408
Note The law requires that you notify DMV of a change of address within 10 days of the change.
The vehicle registration will be suspended until evidence of financial responsibility and the reinstatement fee are submitted. If the vehicle is driven or parked on a California street, road, or highway while the registration is suspended, you will be subject to citation.
No. The vehicle cannot legally be operated until the registration is reinstated.
No. The vehicle cannot legally be operated until the registration is reinstated.
Vehicle Industry Services
DMV may suspend an MCP when any of the following actions/activities occur:
- Failure to pass the Basic Inspection of Terminals by the California Highway Patrol (CHP).
- Failure to comply with Controlled Substance and Alcohol Testing (CSAT) requirements of federal law as described in Subdivision (a) of CVC §34520.
- Failure to make copies of CSAT results and other records available to CHP as required by Subdivision (b) of CVC §34520.
- Knowingly leasing, operating, dispatching, or otherwise utilizing vehicles from a carrier whose motor carrier permit is suspended, when the suspension is based wholly or in part on the failure of the motor carrier to maintain any vehicle in safe operating condition.
- Failure to be enrolled in the Employer Pull Notice program.
- Suspension and/or revocation of an owner-operator’s DL.
- Failure to maintain liability and/or worker’s compensation insurance.
Occupational Licensing (OL) oversees the licensing, monitoring, and regulating of motor vehicle-related businesses and professions. The DMV may suspend occupational licenses as outlined in the Occupational Licensing (OL) and Disciplinary Guidelines (PDF).