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Renew California Vehicle Registration

California drivers, renew car registration online.
No lines, no headaches!

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Instant registration fees check with a secure online checkout for different vehicle types including cars, trucks, and motorcycles

Option to pay California registration and service fees with any major credit card or via a 6-month payment plan with no interest

An immediately available digital copy that can be printed and used temporarily if selected

Comprehensive customer support by phone or email for any questions with the processing or shipment of your registration renewal

Every year, you must renew your car's registration on or before your expiration date. For automobiles registered to a company, this date may be the original date of registration or a specific date set by the state. Important information for all drivers and vehicle owners to know about registration renewals:

Fees and Forms

Registration renewal fees and the required forms vary by state. Fees are determined based upon a number of different factors including the vehicle make, its weight, the intended use and more.

Renewal Reminders

While many counties issue annual reminders by mail, this is not a requirement in any state. eTags customers automatically receive renewal reminders by email for which preferences can be modified.

Renewal Periods

States provide a grace period of 30 to 90 days before the expiration date allowing residents to renew their tags. With eTags, renew anytime within your grace period or even once your tags are already expired and get a digital copy via email.

Term Renewal

The number of months or years you can renew for vary by state. Most states offer a 1 year renewal term with any amount of options in-between from 6 months renewals to up to 4 years in some states and for some type of vehicles.

Replacements

If your registration certificate, license plate, or tag sticker is lost, damaged, or stolen, you must obtain a replacement. eTags gets customers get one free replacement each year they renew with us.

In addition to a motor vehicle’s initial registration renewal fee, California residents may also be required to pay other fees before they can renew their registration. These fees can include:

  • Local county or district fees for special programs
  • Fees for specialty license plates (Specialty Equipment)
  • Vehicle license fee (VLF) at .65% the value of the vehicle
  • Delinquency fees for things like unpaid tickets and late renewal

If your vehicle has not been operated for over 90 days, you may file for a Planned Non-Operation. Additionally, you may be eligible for a tax deduction on your vehicle license fee (VLF) after you renew your registration. For more information about how California registration fees are calculated, please click here.

In the state of California, motor vehicles owners will be required to have their vehicle undergo an emission and smog test every other year. The registration renewal notice that you’ll receive in the mail will state whether or not your motor vehicle requires it on that renewal year. There are some vehicles that do not require smog testing or qualify for a smog exemption. They include:

  • Hybrids
  • Trailers
  • Electric vehicles
  • Motorcycles
  • Any vehicle made before 1975
  • Diesel vehicles made before 1997
  • Vehicles less than 6 years old and have paid a $20.00 abatement fee
  • Vehicles powered by natural gas that weigh more than 14,000 pounds
For more information about smog regulations for California registration, please visit the Smog Information page

Let eTags manage your vehicle services so you can run a safer, more productive, more compliant fleet. Big or small, we can renew registrations for all types of fleet sizes including cars, trucks, SUVs and more. eTags is 100% online, saving you 100% of the time with a dedicated log-in for zero hassles and zero downtime.

Renew registrations for all types of fleet sizes