A car registration renewal in California could be costly, time-consuming, and even stressful.
If you don’t gather the right documentation, you’ll end up making continuous visits to your local CA DMV, which could be really frustrating.
Whether your county doesn’t offer any booking option for renewals, showing up by just walking in could be even more time-consuming
However, there’s always a solution to every hassle. The goal is to make your car registration renewal a hassle-free task so you could have more time to focus on what really matters in your day.
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Let us explain you how to complete a CA DMV registration renewal one question at a time.
Should you have any other questions in regards to CA DMV registration renewal, please let us know in the comments below.
What do I need to renew my registration?
To renew your vehicle registration in California, you will need to bring your renewal notice or current registration certificate, your valid CA driver’s license, and payment for the renewal registration fees.
If applicable, submit a court clearance document detailing that any delinquent fees attached to your vehicle have been paid.
You are also allowed to pay your CA DMV vehicle registration renewals by cash, check, money order, and debit/ATM card.
Where can I go to renew my car registration?
You can renew your car registration in several ways. You could renew your car registration in person at your nearest CA DMV branch.
Note that you must renew it in person whether you have outstanding fees or unpaid traffic tickets. It may be the most time-consuming choice but find out if your local DMV offers appointment reservations.
You could alternatively renew your car registration by mail but you’ll need to make sure that your renewal request documentation is sent to the indicated address on time.
You are also allowed to renew your car registration over the phone only if your auto registration notice has your current home address and you don’t have any unpaid delinquency or ticket fees.
Lastly, the most convenient way is to renew your car registration online. You’ll need to find the appropriate platform that matches your state, or even your county.
eTags, for example, is a website that drivers in any California county can use, and the only service allowing drivers to renew after the expiration period has passed and/or your car registration is expired.
How often do you renew vehicle registration in California?
The CA DMV requires drivers to renew their car registration on an annual basis. This is important for drivers who just moved into California and are not aware of this obligation.
You’ll receive a renewal notice in advance of your car registration’s date of expiration.
The registration renewal notice normally includes the date of your tag expiration, registration renewal fees, information of the vehicle, any emissions requirement, and delinquency fees (if applicable).
Whether you haven’t received your CA car renewal notice, contact your local DMV for more information about your renewal time.
It’s also advisable to update your address with the CA DMV to avoid any missed renewal notice in the future.
How early can I renew my car registration in California?
You are allowed to renew you car registration in California 60 days prior to the expiration date. Usually, getting your car registration renewal notice serves as a reminder of the expiration date to avoid late fees.
Note that the CA DMV does not give any grace period for late renewals.
Provided that you failed to renew your car registration within the indicated time, you’ll be liable for a percentage of your regular renewal, flat late fee, and a flat California Highway Patrol (CHP) late fee.
For example, if you renew your car registration one day after the expiration date, you will be paying about $30 on late fees, which are charged in addition the standard renewal cost.
Never stay behind on your car registration renewals as late fees increase over time. The longer you delay this obligation, the more you’ll pay.
How long do you have to renew your tags in California?
Again, you are allowed to renew you car registration in California 60 days prior to the expiration date. Usually, getting your car registration renewal notice serves as a reminder of the expiration date to avoid late fees.
The CA DMV does not give any grace period for late renewals so try avoid delaying your obligation.
When does my vehicle registration expire?
Your car registration expires every year on the date indicated on your vehicle registration card. Note that the CA DMV does not give any grace period for late renewals.
How much is California registration renewal?
There are several factors that you need to take into consideration when estimating how much you need to pay to renew your car registration in California.
Fees typically vary according the year, weight, and value of your vehicle. Keep in mind that your fees could go up whether you request special license plates.
It’s also recommended that drivers check with the CA DMV for specific fees that pertains to their local county or district.
More importantly, if your vehicle information shows pending delinquency fees such as parking tickets, they must be paid prior to renewing your car registration in California.
Check with your local DMV if you qualify for a tax deduction provided that you completed your car registration renewal.
How to calculate registration fees in California
First, all motor vehicles must pay a registration fee and a $23 California Highway Patrol (CHP) fee. Drivers must also pay other fees depending on many other variables including the type of vehicle and the county they live in.
To find more information about registration fees in California, visit the California VLF calculator and enter your license plate number, the last 5 digits of your VIN, and your zip code.
How much are late fees for vehicle registration in California?
Since the CA DMV does not offer any grace period, here is an estimate of the fees you’ll pay for not renewing your vehicle registration on time.
- Less than 1 year: $30
- 1 to 2 years: $50
- Over 2 years: $100
To avoid paying late fees on your next car registration renewal, complete your registration renewal before the expiration date.
How do I remove my name from car registration in California?
To request a registration name change, you’ll need to contact your local CA DMV and follow their instructions.
However, you could only remove your name from the car registration when there are more than one name registered on the vehicle.
How can I check my vehicle registration status?
You could always contact the CA DMV to check your car registration status at (800) 777-0133.
If you renewed your car registration with eTags, feel free to contact our customer support for more information about your car registration status.
Can your car be towed for expired registration in California?
Yes. Your vehicle could be towed if you get caught driving a vehicle with an expired registration in California.
It also depends on how long you’ve been driving with an expired license. If your car registration has expired for less than 6 months, you could get a fine if caught by a police officer.
If you are driving a car with a registration that has been expired over 6 months your vehicle could potentially be towed by law.
How do I get a temporary registration in California?
If you buy a car from a dealership, they will give you a temporary registration certificate for you to keep with you until your permanent registration arrives from the CA DMV.
The temporary registration is valid until you receive the license plates and stickers, or for 90 days from the date of sale.
How to get a copy (duplicate) vehicle registration in California
You could apply for a duplicate California registration with the CA DMV either in person or by mail.
You must filled out an Application for Replacement Plates, Sticker, Documents (Form REG 156), a Notice of Change of Address (Form DMV 14), and pay the $21 replacement fee.
If you need to send it by mail, you’ll need to mail to this address:
Department of Motor Vehicles
Registration Operations
P.O. Box 942869
Sacramento, CA 94269
How to change your vehicle registration address
You could change your address either online, in person, or by mail. Note that the CA DMV allows drivers to change their vehicle registration within 10 days after moving.
All you need to do is submit a completed Change of Address (Form DMV 14) to the DMV. If you are doing it by mail, submit it to the address listed on the form.
Can I renew my registration at the nearest CA DMV?
Yes. You could only renew your car registration at your nearest CA DMV in person. However, you should try gathering all the documents you need prior to heading to the DMV office to avoid future complications.
Can I go to any DMV to renew my registration?
You can only go to your nearest CA DMV branch to renew your vehicle registration in person, unless you want to do it by mail or online.
How long is the wait time at the California DMV?
It depend on how you handled this procedure. If you booked an appointment, you may not be waiting as longer as any other person who just walks in.
Keep in mind that a lot of people visit the DMV for different procedures and inquiries.
What do I need to renew my registration in person?
If you decide to renew your car registration in person, you will need to bring your renewal notice or current registration certificate, your valid CA driver’s license, and payment for the renewal registration fees.
If applicable, submit a court clearance document detailing that any delinquent fees attached to your vehicle have been paid.
You are also allowed to pay your CA DMV vehicle registration renewals by cash, check, money order, and debit/ATM card.
When does the CA DMV send out renewal notices?
The CA DMV will mail you a car registration renewal notice well in advance of the expiration date.
If you haven’t received your renewal notice, we recommend that you investigate by contacting your local DMV for further information.
It may be that you haven’t updated your address on their records or it got lost on the email.
Either way, you can still renew your car registration without renewal notice either in person, online, or with eTags which is the fastest and most hassle-free choice.
I did not receive my car registration renewal notice . What should I do?
Whether you haven’t received your car registration renewal notice in the mail, either contact your DMV office or call (800) 777-0133.
When it come to renewal notices, always try to update your home address with your local DMV to avoid this type of situations.
What if lost my DMV renewal notice?
You shouldn’t worry about losing your vehicle registration renewal notice as you can still renew your registration by following alternatives routes including in-person visits or online renewals.
Yet, you could always contact the local DMV to find out more about your current status.
Can I renew my registration from out of state?
Whether you are currently located out-of-state, the CA DMV allows you to renew your car registration by mail as if it was already mentioned above.
Make sure you have the renewal notice with you prior to submitting your documentation.
How to read a California vehicle registration card
It’s simple. Your license number is at the right of your vehicle, whereas your vehicle identification number (VIN) is the last 5 digits on the center left side of your card.
Your vehicle licensing fee is the second set of digits at the bottom.
Do I need a smog check to renew my registration?
Yes. CA registration renewals require drivers to get a smog check to ensure emission equipment on cars keep running properly and have not been altered since the last inspection.
However, some vehicle are exempt from meeting smog requirements including:
- Vehicles that are 1975 or older models that are powered by gasoline
- Vehicles that are 1997 or older models that are diesel powered and have a Gross Vehicle Weight of 14,000 lbs. or more
- Vehicles that are natural gas powered with a Gross Vehicle Weight of 14,000 lbs. or more
- Electric vehicles
- Motorcycles
Gasoline-powered, hybrids, and alternative-fuel vehicles that are 1976 and newer versions require a smog check. Yet, here are 2 exceptions to the norm:
- Six model-year and newer vehicles do not need a biennial (every other year) inspection
- Four model-year and newer vehicles do not need a change-of-ownership inspection
Where can I get a smog check?
You could get a smog check by going to the nearest Smog Check station in your area or call (800) 952-5210.
Can I renew my registration online in California?
Yes, you can. You could choose to renew your CA DMV registration renewal online.
As you may find it easier to renew your car registration online, you won’t be allowed to do it with the DMV if you have any pending traffic/delinquency fees.
Still, car registration renewals online are more secure and convenient compared to other options. That’s why eTags offers a CA DMV registration renewal online service to help you handle this procedure easy and quick.
Note that there’s a convenience fee associated when you renew your car registration with eTags, but that fee is normally offset by the time, fuel, and unnecessary frustration savings related to renewal in person.
Can I print my vehicle registration online in California?
If you renew your vehicle registration with your local CA DMV office, your vehicle registration will be mailed to the address you added on your vehicle records.
eTags, though, offers users to print their vehicle registration online anytime by calling the support team or visiting the website.
Can I complete my DMV registration renewal online if I am currently out-of-state?
You definitely could do it but the CA DMV will force you to change your registered mailing address to your new out-of-state address, which makes it more complicated to handle.
If you aren’t planning on staying at your out-of-state address permanently, you could use our eTags registration renewal service to get the tags mailed to you.
It’s an easier and hassle-free choice as you won’t need to make any changes on your vehicle information to complete your car registration renewal in CA.
Ready to renew your CA DMV vehicle registration online?
We hope these commonly asked questions about CA DMV tag renewal have been helpful. If you have another question regarding how to renew your vehicle registration in the state of California, leave us a question below in the comments and we will be happy to answer as soon as we can.
If you’re ready to renew we would be happy to assist. Save time, avoid the line, and renew your vehicle registration online by visiting eTags.com/app/ca/renewal.
128 comments
I’m moving out of state on the day my registration expires. Do I have to renew before I leave?
yes you do.
I need help! Trying to get rid of my 20 year old truck. It has been sitting on my driveway for 11 1/2 years non operational the whole time. City wants it gone. I can’t find the title, or registration and no key. I filed for non op in 2009 but never heard anything from the dmv. So junk yards are saying no key, no title, no registration no problem but they are lying!!! I need a quick way to prove ownership but my truck isn’t in the system what do I do? Apparently after a few years your car disappears from the system? Please i need help asap! Thank you.
A vehicle falls off record after 5 years of not being registered. If you have no ownership documentation then you must re-register the vehicle. This includes a Vin Verification and registration fees. If a junk yard is willing to remove the vehicle as is, I would probably let them.
So I just received a registration notice for a vehicle currently on file with the DMV as a non operational vehicle (I do not own, have in my possession, & have not placed on a non operational status) this notice came about a week ago. I am not sure how to proceed now with the DMVs being closed and not taking new appointments. I do not want this car in my name and have not received a notice for this vehicle before. But according to the DMV documents I have found in order to have a release of liability or transfer of Title you need a “new owners” name and address and proof of sale.
I would recommend contacting DMV by phone or the CA,DMV.Gov website. The only document provided by the DMV to release responsibility is the release of liability. You can submit it with any information you have, it will still get filed.
If you pay registration early(due at the end of august but wanting to pay in July) does the the 12 month registration period reset? As in the following years registration would be due in July?
No. Your registration renewal date will never change for any reason.
I purchased a used vehicle 11/3/2019. My dealership paper plates expired at the end of February and the dealership had to find my plates from the DMV and rush them to me. It literally took from 11/3/19 to 2/29/20 to get my plates. Part of what I paid in my cash down was for the registration. Got my plates and the registration is due in August? Why am I expected to pay my registration 4 months earlier than when I took possession of the vehicle? What was the registration/transfer/titling fee I paid for at the dealership for anyway if it doesn’t cover a years registration on the car?
Vehicle registration dates do not change due to transfer of ownership. You most likely paid for delinquent registration fees that made the vehicle current until 08/2020. The dealership is not responsible for registration fees. The new owner is responsible for registration fees upon purchase and registration.
I bought a Piaggio scooter and I am getting handicap license and I already paid for registration add a new pink slip which I have not received all three of them yet oh, what can I do
We advise you to go back to the place you purchased the scooter to follow-up with the transaction as eTags can’t assist you in this case. You can also contact the CA DMV.
I purchased a vehicle out of state and the tags are expired by over 3 years. When i register the car in CA in my name do i have to pay all the 3 years of unpaid reg?
CA will only collect fees due for CA. Current reg fess and tax may be applicable.
Last year I cleared a suspension on my registration through my auto insurance & paid registration fees with DMV, but did not complete the smog requirement and I also have an unpaid ticket, therefore I never received my tags. I can’t remember if I need to do a STAR, Test Only or Standard smog. What is the fastest way to complete registration this year?
You will need to complete your renewal at a DMV field office. Due to the incomplete transaction on file you won’t be eligible for online or kiosk renewals. You will also need to contact DMV to determine what smog is required.
When I received my plates it did not have month or year stickers. I waited 2 months and still no stickers. I paid for new stickers and I received only the year. How do I get the month sticker?
The DMV will give you a free month sticker if provide a valid registration card.
I bought a used Kia Van from a dealer in Dover Delaware the middle of April. I got the van Maryland inspected and sent all the information to the dealer who sent in to get new tags and Registration. I still haven’t received my new tags and registration. I’m on my second set of temporary tags. I have called the car dealer numerous times. All they tell me was all the paper work was sent/ filed to MVA. Who or where can I contact to check on my new tags.
Try contacting the MVA directly. Things may take a little longer than usual due to COVID-19. Many DMVs were closed or are only open for people with appointments.
I no longer own a car that is now inoperable, but I still got a notice that I needed to renew my registration. Can I just ignore it, or what?
You want to make sure that the transfer was taken place, to take it out of your name. (You will continue to get registration notices in the mail until this takes place.) Also you can go onto the DMV website to do a release of liability as well to protect yourself.
I I buy a ride who owe on tags do I have to pay or can I just go to the DMV and get tags in my name. As new owner without paying someone else’s owed fees?
The owner is responsible for any late fees due at the time of the transfer.
I never received my annual registration renewal form, or it was lost in the mail. I just received a notice that I am late paying the registration, and now have to pay a late fee of $236 in addition to the registration fee. Due to Covid-19 the DMV is not taking phone calls, and I can’t find anything on their website. I want to renew my registration but would like the fee to be waived. Do you have any suggestion on how to sort this out?
Depending on the date of your renewal you are eligible for a late fee waiver. If you pay in person the waiver is applied immediately. If done online you will receive a refund check. https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/covid-19-relief-information/
Can I renew my registration just for 6 months?
No you can’t.
i just moved from arizona to ca. ow do i get a registration for ca
Hey there, you can register your vehicle online by going to etags.com/app/ca
just go through the prompts and register.
Hello, I bought my car in Nevada and recently moved to Cali, do I need to renew my registration in Nevada or how does it work? I also have Nevada license plate as well. Do I need to change to Cali plate? I somehow want to keep Nevada plate even though I live in Cali.
Thank you
This should be helpful in answering your question: https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/vr/checklists/outofstate
If you are a permanent resident of CA you need to register your car in CA with CA plates.
Can I drive my car still if I’m waiting for my registration (Renewed) to be mailed?
yes, Law Enforcement allows a grace period when the stickers are in the mail
Hi, i paid for a PNO on my husbands truck because it wasn’t working, now that he got it fixed im trying to pay the renewal fees but now its not letting me, how do i go about this?
Are you using etags? if so, call 888-633-5332
How do I change the sticker of the month on my license plates , I have all of my cars on January but on my new car I have it on September, is there any way I can change the month of the registration in the state of CA ?
No. Not possible
I sent in for mt renewal tags on a truck I own and have not received them yet.now I am selling the truck before the tags came in.what can I do
you can return the tags once you get them if you have sold the truck already. you should be able to get a full refund if the stickers aren’t used.
I am looking to buy a car that hasn’t been registered for 4+ years. Now, I know that the DMV will not have records of the car. If I were to buy it and register it, what fees would I have to pay at the time of registration?
If the DMV has no record of the vehicle you will pay current year reg fees and and original reg fee. Refer to DMV for exact amounts
Can I register my car for more then one year.?
If it’s car and not a trailer or truck, you can only register for a year at a time in CA.
Hello, My 19 year old son and I both need to renew our registrations at the DMV in person. Do I need to get power of attorney in order to renew his regsitration at the same time I do mine? He cannot miss school or work, and the DMV is not open during any hours he is not at school or work.
ou may be able to renew both of the registrations online with eTags by visiting https://www.etags.com/app/ca and you will be asked to verify the reason you are paying the registration for a vehicle not registered to you. If you still need or prefer to go in, having a Power of Attorney is your best bet of not getting turned away when you want to pay for your son’s registration
Hi, my registration is paid, but my tags haven’t come in the mail yet. Can I still drive my vehicle?
It’s best to wait until you get the physical tags.
Can the DMV keep accumulating annual registration fees and penalties over a period of 3+ years without any notification to the car owner? Unfortunately, I thought I had submitted a request to place this car on PNO status with 2015 registration documents. We were planning to save the car for my son who would be driving in three years but we didn’t need to use it ourselves in the meanwhile. When I went to the DMV to reinstate the registration so that my son could begin driving it, I was shocked to find out that the registration fees for the last three years and the resulting penalties for non payment had accumulated on this account. The DMV claims that the PNO was never arranged. Ok, I can live with that mistake, if it’s mine. However, how can an entity charge you hundreds of dollars every year without notifying you that they are doing so????? If I had caught this mistake the first year, I would have fixed it. Instead, the CA DMV stealthily kept this fact under the radar so that they could keep charging us indefinitely. Is this legit? Can they legally do this?
Yes, they can. I would consult an attorney in regards to any legal questions you may have.
Hi, I want to renew my car due on mid Mar. However, I want to renew my car for just 4 months. Because I get back to my country end of June this year. Do I have to pay for whole year? or possible to pay for 4 months?
The DMV doesn’t offer partial year registration. Once it has been paid it’s for the entire registration period and a refund is not available.
I received the usual car registration sticker and proof of registration. On the same day, in a separate enveloped I received a different proof of valid registration, in for form of a letter, which I have never received before. Both documents included a notation that the document must be in the vehicle. Why 2 registration confirmations for the same car and must I keep both documents in the car?
Please contact DMV as to why you received multiple registrations.
If my registration expires in April, does that mean April 1 or April 30?
At the end of the month of April
I pd my registration fee on time, cost 1/4 of monthly income. SMOG WAS DUE but had to wait till pd again, 2wks. I did so but car failed took 2months for shop to repair. My car off street at garage until repaired, passing smog. MY QUESTION IS THERE A WRITTEN LAW PERTAINING TO LIMITED TIME TO AQUIRE CURRENT CERTIFICATION? I DIDNT DRIVE MY CAR UNTIL I GOT TAGS
There is no partial year registration or refunds for not using your car. If you drive one day or every day, registration must be paid in full.
Hi. I live in CA. I’m scheduled to return my leased car to the car dealership in May. My registration expires in February. I really don’t want to pay the entire year worth of registration/renewal fee. Would the dmv prorate it if I showed up in person and explained it to them? Thanks!
No the DMV won’t prorate.
I paid for my registration , smog on Jan 15th, 2020, but they just cashed the check on Jan 27th, 2020 and my sticker expire at the end of Jan. I need to know if I can get a window sticker until my tags get to me, if I can where do I go and what forms do I need in order to get one? Please help, Olivia
The DMV will not issue a temp operating permit while your tags are in transit. You may legally operate your vehicle until you receive your new stickers and registration from DMV (California Vehicle Code (CVC) §4606). Law enforcement agencies provide a grace period for receipt of mailed stickers, license plates, and registration.
Is there a way to lower any of my ridiculous dmv registration fees in California? Honestly, this I a blatant money grab.
No. Late fees are currently being waived. March 16 and May 31, 2020, and paid within 60 days of the original expiration date.
I paid my registration online but failed my smog check. I got an extention but my car still does not pass smog. What can I do at this point?
You’ll have to either fix the faulty components such as oxygen sensors, air filter and the like, or stop driving the car because you won’t be allowed to register it. You may under certain circumstances get an exemption.
Exemptions:
1. Gasoline powered 1975-year model or older
2. Electric
3. Natural gas powered with a GVWR rating of more than 14,000 lbs.
4. Owners of vehicles six or less model years old will pay an Annual Smog Abatement Fee for the first six registration years instead of being required to provide a biennial smog certification.
I bought a SUV in nov 2018 in arizona and they kept the plates. I live in california but did not register the vehical when I got back here. Now just over a year later I can I sell the vehical to a friend who says i can and they will take care of the fees?
yes, the buyer will pay the fees.
Hello,
I currently Needed to renew my registration this month of December. I was laid off and cant afford to renew my registration at the moment.
I need my car to go to interviews and other urgent scenarios. my questions is, Can I go to the DMV and ask for an extension and receive some type of temporary registration sticker? I need it for about a month or two while I get a job and catch up on rent.
Is this possible? I would hate to get a ticket for no registration or get my car towed.
Thank you for your time and response in advance.
Best,
Carlos R
We’re not aware of any DMV programs for payment extensions or exceptions for being charged late fees if tags expire. We, eTags, offers an option to take a loan through Paypal and AFFIRM and instantly renew your registration online. You can go to etags.com/app/ca to place your order.
Hi i send a money order to renew my tags i send it with the information and a smog check. It was send out on 10/26/2019 its now 12/3/2019 and i havnt received anything in the mail what should i do???
We don’t know if your tag has been renewed, but you can check on our site at etags.com/app/ca. Enter your plate number, and when you get to the payment page, check if you a renewal or replacement fee. If it’s a renewal, it’s possible that the money order was never received by the agency you used. At the point, we suggest you select replacement.
Hello, I need to pay for registration for a friend who is unable to go there. There are probably delinquency fees since the car was not used for 6 months and no PNO was filed, and the usual Reg tags expired in 3/2019. The smog is up to date as of Sept 2019. We tried to pay by mail but think that the tags (or any other kind of notice or letter) went to an old PO box that he no longer uses; he forgot to formally change the mailing address with the DMV. The physical address has not changed. So now I would like to go to the DMV to take care of ref fees plus any delinquency fees, and pick up the tags for my friend. What will I need to fill out or bring to make this happen? And do I need his signature or other proof that he is authorizing me to do this? We tried to do it online but we got an error that the number is invalid. We think its because of outstanding fees so it needs to be done in-person. Additionally he probably needs a change of address which we will handle separately if we can walk away with the tags that day.
Thank you
If you have a notarized power of attorney, they may issue you the tags but try calling the DMV first to confirm 1 (800) 777-0133
You can also call us at eTags so we can verify your tag and see what error you got…Customer Support 1-888-633-5332
I paid for my renewal online on 11/8/19. Is there anyway I can go to the DMV to pick up my registration and tags sooner?? Or will they tell me to wait for it in the mail?
Yes, you can get your registration at the DMV as long as you have your SMOG certification (if you were required to smog your vehicle when you paid your fees)
I renewed my car registration online on 10/102019. I have the email receipt for verification. To this day, 11/8/2019, I haven’t receive the renewal sticker. I was wondering if it’s possible to check the registration status online? Secondly, what is the usual number of days to receive the sticker?
We’re not sure what service you used for your registration online.
I was wondering if I pay for registration online if I can pick up tags in local dmv office
It’s best to contact your local DMV office to see if they offer that service.
I bought my used car from a dealership around December with tags for Dec 2019. My registration address is still located in CA but I recently moved to VA because of my military orders and am stuck here for 3 years. I also do not own or will not be living at the registration address anymore. Is it possible to keep renewing my tags online for the extent of my stay here in VA or is it best to register my car in VA instead?
If you remain a resident of CA you can continue to renew online, you can even change your address on the DMV site to an out of state address to have them send your tags to you in VA. The DMV offers smog waivers for vehicles located out of the state when the time comes. These rules apply to CA DMV if the state you are located in requires you to transfer the vehicle you will need to discuss with the motor vehicle dept in that state.
Hello im from CA and i bought a used car from a dealership for 1200 on march 1st 2019. I payed all the fees for new tags registration and i waited for my new tags to arrive. when i waited a few weeks i got 2019 tags that will expire in july. How is this possible? Everyone is driving around for a whole year after paying there dues and i get only 4 months? Because by june im getting a renewal fee in the mail? Is there a way this can be looked at by the dmv and be shown i payed for the car fees in march? How am i only getting 4 months and everyone is getting a year? would love some info more about cars and dmv process thank you.
We assume that the dealership processed the paperwork, so contact them for more information or you can go to your local DMV office.
If I bought a car and the previous owner had recently paid the tags and as the new owner would I need to pay again for the tags or can that just be transferred under my name without charge?
No you won’t have to pay again, bc the tags match the vehicle.
Can I get an extension on renewing my tags? The reason is because I have to extend the lease on my car and I don’t want to pay for registration for a whole year when I’ll be using the car for 2 more months only.
You have to pay the registration if you plan on driving it in the next two months. the only way to avoid the registration fee is to place the vehicle in non-op status which means you can’t drive it.
Who should i contact if i’m 9 months late renewing my registration and the DMV no longer shows anything for my vehicle?
You can try to renew on our website at http://www.etags.com/app/ca
If that doesn’t work, try going to your local DMV in person.
I paid all my fees online Sept. 1st. but was told that it was incomplete because I needed a smog. Well i then had my car smogged on sept. 19th. When do you think I will receive my tags?
If you renewed your registration with eTags, please email us at support@etags.com or call us at 1 888 633 5332
Hello,
I am going through financial hardships and wondering if I have an option to make payments to renew my registration? If so, how can I do that, or where to go?
Yes, you can set up a payment plan by placing an order at https://www.etags.com/app/ca
You’ll see your payment plan selection at Checkout thru PayPal or Affirm
I renewed my cars registration March 2019 the sticker we received was March 2019 so when does it expire? Or did the DMV send me the wrong sticker? Is it supposed to be March 2020?
It should be March 2020, but if you missed last year’s renewal, you may not be covered right now.
I bought a vehicle in Marin, CA from a dealer on 4/11/19 for $27,200 and paid registration fees to the dealer, as required at the time of sale, in the amount of $411. I just received a notice from the CA DMV for vehicle registration renewal notice again by 11/10/19 in the amount of $393. Why would I have to pay renewal registration fees again so soon? Wasn’t that what I just paid for when I bought the car from the dealer? Shouldn’t my renewal date be sometime in April of 2020? It seems as though I had to pay CA DMV registration fees for the whole year yet I only got 7 months worth of registration for $411….
Hi Chris, a vehicle will stay with the same plate and registration period/expiration date throughout its use in California unless an owner specifically pays for a new plate which happens most often with the request of a vanity or personalized plate. The only reason you would have needed to pay registration fees in April when the tags don’t expire until November is because the registration wasn’t paid in November of last year so it was still due through April when the transfer was being completed. You can confirm if this is true by contacting the DMV at 1 (800) 777-0133 to assure the $411 the dealer collected wasn’t done so in error (when renewal was not due). We hope that helps. If you have any other questions, please let us know.
Chris, what dealership did you go to in Marin, ca
I baught s csf from a dealership and payed in full for the car. I have the bill of sales, the car dealer told me they would mail me the title. However we have been on lockdown because of colvid-19. I checked the smog and it was smog ged 6 months ago. I cannot reach the dealer. He is not answering the telephone. I am wondering can I register the car online without slogging it, because it was smog ged 6 months ago. It is under my insurance. How do I go about registering the automobile.
Dealer transfers must be completed by the dealership or at a DMV. A smog is required to complete a transfer and must be done within 90 days of the transfer.
Can a police officer tow your vehicle if you have temp tags on your car. They said they don’t recognize these tags as a reg vehicle .
If the tags have expired, they can.
Hi. I have a question. I purchased a used vehicle in December of last year and when my tags came they had ‘December 2019’ on them. But, I received a letter from the DMV saying that my registration was due in June. How could that be?
Hi there. It appears that there’s an incongruence in your renewal period. You will need to contact your local tax collector’s agency and verify the status of your registration. Keep in mind that FL tags expire at midnight on the birth date of the owner listed first on the car registration.
Hello,
I bought an ATV from a friend. At the time of registering the ATV under my name the DMV asked me to get a Release of Liability letter from the financial institution that finance the ATV 10 years ago. I can’t get in touch with the financial institution. The ATV has been paid off in full for a long time now. I currently hold the Pink slip for it. But because the financial institution did not sign off on this i am being asked to do this by the CA DMV. Can this site assist me with this?
Hello Jaime. Unfortunately, we cannot advise you on tasks that exclusively pertains to the financial institution that is supposed to issue the Release of Liability form. Have you considered talking to the previous owner? The DMV needs to verify the vehicle has been paid off officially.
Very helpful..! thanks for sharing your helpful work.
You are welcome, Tammy.
Hello trying to get my real drivers license I have everything required but I have been married 3 times and divorced twice. I fo not know where the divorce was filed the first marriage due to him I’m the service so don’t know where to get my divorce decree is there any other way to get this license without the first divorce decree. Or instead of the real license will a passport be significant. Thanks
Wanda White
white1944@aol.com
951 2593136
Hello Wanda. You are strongly required to discuss your case with the DMV. In California, getting a driver’s license is a method of establishing residency if you need to register a vehicle. Here is a link with more information about valid IDs in CA.
Hi. I am moving to Cali from Mississippi in two weeks. My husband is pulling our car (with his car which has a current tag). The car being pulled has a MS tag that expired in April. We plan to get a Cali tag when we arrive but I worry about showing up with an out of state expired tag. Should I proceed with renewing our MS tag (for two more weeks and waste 11.5 months of fees, which are really expensive here) or show to Cali with an expired out of state tag?
Hello Erin. You cannot operate a vehicle with expired tags as it is against the law. You may need to renew your registration prior to moving to California. Contact your local DMV agency for additional information about temporary tags though. Good luck.
Hi, I was a nonresident military member stationed in California. I purchased two motorcycles in CA, registered them, chose not to renew registration due to not driving them/moving away from CA. I am now being fined for not renewing. I did not know I should fill out a REG 5045. Can I do this retroactively to negate the payment that is being requested? Is there another way to take care of this issue? I do not want to pay for a renewal because it is not needed.
Hello Devan. You will need to handle your non-operative vehicle request with your local DMV agency. Unless you can provide proof of having a non-operative vehicle, registration is mandatory.
What do I do if my income situation is not good at the moment and I was hit with a $378 renewal fee. Is there a way to get a price reduction?
Hello Rito4ka. You could renew your registration by using our online portal. We offer different payment methods including PayPal. They might be able to help you pay for your renewal on installments. If you have any other questions in regards to our services, please feel free to contact our Customer Support or call us at 1-800-633-5332. We are glad to assist you on this procedure.
I sent in my registration fee in February. The check was cashed. I haven’t received my registration stickers. Should I go in to the DMV?
Hello Elaine. Typically, it takes about a week to get your new registration. Since you haven’t received it yet, you will have to contact your local CA DMV agency to find out the status of your registration. It may be that you haven’t updated your address with them. Remember that you must keep your vehicle registered in order to be allowed to drive it. Good luck!
I have a question regarding the DMV rules for the validity of the smog certificate. I understand the smog certificate is good for 90 days and you can renew your registration as early as 60 days prior to the registration expiration date. However, does the DMV rule require that the smog certificate be good AS OF THE DATE OF EXPIRATION (i.e., that you had the smog done within 90 days prior to the expiration date)? OR, is it OK as long as the smog certificate has not yet expired AS OF THE DATE YOU ARE SENDING IN YOUR RENEWAL? For example, my registration expires August 2, I get a smog check on April 1, and renew the registration on June 3. As of June 3, the smog certificate is still good and it should work unless the DMV requires that the smog certificate be good AS OF THE EXPIRATION DATE. Do you know the answer? The DMV website offered no information relative to this question.
Hello John. As long as your smog certificate is valid as specified on the document, you will be to renew your registration. Did you know that eTags offers vehicle registration renewals in California? Our online service will help you complete your renewal without having to arrange in-person visits to the DMV. If you have any question in regards to our service, please contact our Customer Support or call us at 1-800-633-5332. We are glad to assist you on this procedure.
Hi is this website as reliable as the dmv? Like will the CA dmv have the same information as you guys? I want to use the site but I don’t know if you are affiliated with the actual dmv system in CA
Hello Audrey. We are a licensed agency through the state of California. Our information about vehicle registration renewals and other DMV-related topics are always updated.
We also take great pride in providing an instant check of DMV fees, fast processing and exceptional customer support for those looking to renew their registration.
Our online service provides:
– A downloadable copy of the registration card, or eTag, available within minutes after the order is submitted.
– Multiple payment options including a flexible monthly payment plan option that still allows immediate renewal.
– Order status updates sent by email and available via our status page.
– Annual email reminders when it comes time to renew again.
– Notification of issues barring you from completing the registration renewal.
– A priority shipping option to anywhere within California, Arizona, and Nevada (no PO Boxes).
If you have any other questions, please feel free to call us at 1-800-633-5332. We are glad to assist you on this procedure.
What is required to have someone else renew your registration and get new sticker?
Hello Kim. If you need someone to renew your registration, you may use a power of attorney granting the person you’ve chosen the authority to complete this procedure on your behalf. You should contact your local DMV agency to ensure this procedure is allowed in your local state.
Great content very informative thanks for sharing this with us.
It’s a pleasure and feel free to check our other blogs for more information about registration, titles, and other informational car topics.