{"id":7442,"date":"2017-01-26T09:00:13","date_gmt":"2017-01-26T09:00:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.etags.com\/blog\/?p=7442"},"modified":"2026-01-08T14:47:48","modified_gmt":"2026-01-08T14:47:48","slug":"california-self-service-vehicle-registrations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.etags.com\/blog\/california-self-service-vehicle-registrations\/","title":{"rendered":"California DMV Kiosks And Vehicle Registration Renewal"},"content":{"rendered":"

California has more registered vehicles than any other state in the nation. With over 33 million registered cars, trucks, OHVs, trailers and more, you are bound to have some slowdowns at office locations and even with the state\u2019s online services with vehicle owners needing to renew every year. Luckily, the California Department of Motor Vehicles has been hard at work finding new ways to ease the pain.<\/p>\n

At specified locations across the state, the DMV has installed ATM-like machines that process your vehicle registration, accept your payment and print out a new registration. Simple right? DMV Now<\/strong> kiosks are freestanding self-service terminals that use touch screen technology to guide you through the registration renewal process without the need to stand in line to wait for help from an agent or wait for your tags in the mail. You can even file for Planned Non-Operation (PNO) status if you do not plan to operate the vehicle for an extended period and don\u2019t want to be assessed late penalties for renewing after the last expiration date.<\/p>\n

Renewing With A CA DMV Kiosk Is Easy<\/h2>\n

For conducting a transaction, customers will need their vehicle registration renewal notice which are sent by mail 75 days before your tag expiration date, or their most recent vehicle registration card. The terminals offer instructions in English and Spanish and accept cash, credit and debit cards, and checks. You get a printed registration card or PNO acknowledgment after your transaction is completed.<\/p>\n

These self-service machines are gaining popularity quickly. Vehicle owners in the state seem to be embracing automation. The first machine was installed in Sacramento in October 2010 and after a six-month review period, the agency began installing them in 33 other locations across the state. Now, there are already 60 of them.<\/p>\n

Some Limitations<\/h2>\n

Autos, pickups, motorcycles, coach and park model trailers and commercial vehicles that don\u2019t pay Commercial Vehicle Registration Act fees can all be renewed using DMV Now kiosks. DMV Now kiosks<\/a> do not process renewals for vehicle types not mentioned above, including vessels. Vessels in particular require a different sticker not available through DMV Now kiosks. Additionally, if there are certain requirements or restrictions such as the need for proof of insurance, registration reinstatement fees, and requests for address changes, those cannot be handled via a kiosk.<\/p>\n

If you can\u2019t make it to a DMV office and can\u2019t process your renewal request via a kiosk, the state DMV has thousands of licensed companies that are authorized to complete certain transactions. eTags is one of those companies; you can process registration renewals, duplicate titles, and title transfers online<\/a>. Depending on your needs, you can use one of these services or try your request directly on the DMV website.<\/p>\n

The DMV Has a Big Job to Do<\/h2>\n

In addition to outlining and communicating\u00a0motor vehicles laws<\/a>, the DMV serves over 30 million people a year and the implementation of these machines is huge because it greatly accelerates and smooths the process. In offices where kiosks are located within the vicinity, DMV lines and wait times have been notably reduced.<\/p>\n

Customers from the Los Angeles county area can now renew their vehicles in flash by using DMV Now that have been placed near two additional DMV offices. These easy to use kiosks are now available at the West Covina DMV and Long Beach locations.<\/p>\n

DMV Now terminals are available during regular business hours and are found near sixty DMV offices, including these ten recently added locations:<\/p>\n