California Vehicle Registration Frequently Asked Questions

Have your vehicle license plate number, the last 5 digits of the VIN or HIN, and payment information ready. Insurance and smog information must also be on file when they are required for your vehicle.

Yes. California DMV guidance recommends changing your address before renewing and allowing about 3 business days for the address update to process before completing the renewal.

Paying registration fees does not complete the renewal when a required smog certification is still missing. The smog requirement must be satisfied before the registration renewal can be finalized.

Yes. When insurance is required, the DMV record must have acceptable insurance information. Some online renewals cannot be completed if the insurance information is not being reported electronically.

Outstanding parking citations can prevent a registration renewal from being completed. The citations generally must be paid or resolved before the renewal can be finalized.

A Planned Nonoperation (PNO) filing may be available when the vehicle will not be driven, moved, or parked on public roadways during the registration year. A PNO filing fee may apply.

A replacement registration card may be requested for a fee. Common information includes the license plate number, registration information, and the last 5 digits of the VIN. REG 156 may apply for a paper replacement request.

California DMV guidance states that a replacement sticker order includes a new registration card, so a separate registration-card order is generally not needed for that transaction.

No. The address should be updated first and the change should be processed before submitting the replacement request.

No. Some vehicles and records are not eligible for online replacement, including certain vessels, off-highway vehicles, vehicles with expired or suspended registration, vehicles on Planned Nonoperation, and records with certain holds. A paper REG 156 transaction may be required instead.

A change in vehicle ownership or lienholder generally must be reported within 10 days, and the title record must be updated.

Common items include the California Certificate of Title, buyer and seller or lienholder signatures, applicable transfer fees, and additional forms depending on the transaction. REG 227, REG 256, REG 135, or other supporting documents may apply.

REG 227, Application for Replacement or Transfer of Title, may be used for qualifying replacement-title or transfer-without-title transactions. Lienholder situations can require additional signatures or notarization.

Not always. California DMV guidance states that notarization is required in the lienholder section when the registration shows a legal owner or lienholder. If no legal owner or lienholder is shown, notarization is generally not required for that section.

For a new vehicle, REG 343 is commonly required. Depending on the transaction, you may also need ownership documents, buyer and seller signatures, smog certification, REG 256, REG 262, commercial weight documents, and applicable registration or transfer fees.

If the selling dealer does not complete the registration transaction, the buyer is responsible for completing the required title and registration paperwork. The documents needed depend on whether the vehicle is new or used and on the ownership record.

Common requirements include REG 343, evidence of ownership such as the out-of-state title, the most recent out-of-state registration when applicable, VIN verification on REG 31, smog certification when required, and applicable California registration, title, and tax fees.

Yes, VIN verification is commonly required for nonresident vehicles entering California. REG 31 is used to document the verification, although limited exceptions can apply to certain new commercial vehicles or trailers.

No. California DMV registration procedures state that the newer-vehicle smog exemption does not automatically apply to nonresident vehicles. Smog requirements depend on the vehicle and transaction.

A VIN verification confirms identifying information about the vehicle. REG 31 is commonly used to document the inspection when a California registration transaction requires one.

California requires financial responsibility for vehicles operated or parked on California roads. If acceptable insurance information is not on the vehicle record when required, a registration transaction may be delayed or suspended until the requirement is satisfied.

REG 156, Application for Replacement Plates, Stickers, Documents, is commonly used for qualifying replacement transactions involving registration cards, stickers, or plates.

REG 195 is the Application for Disabled Person Placard or Plates. Supporting medical certification or other documentation may be required depending on the request.

Fees vary by the type of transaction, vehicle, ownership change, location, taxes, and other factors. The exact amount is determined from the vehicle and transaction record.

Bring your current registration or DMV notice, title or ownership documents if applicable, license plate number, VIN, identification, and any paperwork related to the transaction. Express Auto Registration can review the documents and help identify the appropriate service.