Frequently Asked Questions
No. If your registration is current, you may pay a $23.00 fee and place your vehicle under Planned Non-Operation (PNO) status. You may obtain a PNO filing up to 60 days before and 90 days after the expiration of your current registration
By obtaining auto insurance and paying a $14.00 suspension reinstatement fee to the Vehicle Registration Financial Responsibility Program will clear the suspension. If your vehicle is currently insured, but DMV records still show that it is not, it is possible your insurance company has not yet provided electronic proof of insurance to the DMV. We can assist you with contacting DMV to clear the suspension immediately.
Yes, you can, there may be a possibility that the tickets have been added to your renewal.
No. Both the reinstatement fee and proof of insurance must be submitted to the Vehicle Registration Financial Responsibility Program to reinstate the registration.
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.
• 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. 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.
You must submit evidence of financial responsibility and pay a $14 reinstatement fee..
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).
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.
If your vehicle is driven or parked on a California street, road or highway, it must be insured.
No. The vehicle cannot legally be operated until the registration is reinstated.
No. If your vehicle is driven or parked on a California street, road or highway, it must be insured.
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.
No, as long as the private-use liability insurance identifies the vehicle.
All vehicles driven or parked on a California street, road or highway must be insured. You may qualify for the California Low-Cost Automobile Insurance Program contact Epitome Insurance Solutions, Inc.
Law enforcement and court personnel will see the status of your insurance on the vehicle record when making an inquiry into the DMV database.
Yes. You must be able to provide proof of insurance to a peace officer when requested or when involved in an accident.
No per California Insurance Code §11580.1b Liability of
• $15,000 for injury/death to one person.
• $30,000 for injury/death to more than one person.
• $5,000 for damage to property.
Liability insurance compensates a person other than the policy holder for personal injury or property damage.
• $15,000 for injury/death to one person.
• $30,000 for injury/death to more than one person.
• $5,000 for damage to property.
Liability insurance compensates a person other than the policy holder for personal injury or property damage.
No. If you are Active-duty military or a military veteran, you still need a smog inspection for your vehicle.
No. However, if you are given a car by a family member (a spouse, domestic partner, sibling, child, parent, grandparent, or grandchild) who BOUGHT IT FOR YOU without first titling the car in their name, a smog inspection is required.
Starting January 1, 2019, if your vehicle is less than 4 model years old, you can pay a smog abatement fee instead of getting a smog inspection for the first 8 years that your vehicle is registered.
California Vehicle Code section 24007(b)(2) states sellers must provide evidence of a current smog certification when the vehicle being sold is more than four model years old, except when one of the following occurs:
a. Initial California Registration - Diesel powered vehicles 1998 model year and newer with a GVWR rating of 14,000 lbs. or less, and gasoline powered vehicles five or more model years old require smog certification in order to obtain initial California registration. Specially constructed vehicles 1976 and newer are no longer smog check exempt and may require a smog check referee inspection. Call (800) 622-7733 to obtain an appointment with an official referee station.
b. Registration Renewal - Vehicles nine or more model years old and registered in counties which are subject to the biennial smog inspection program, will be required to submit proof of valid smog certification every other renewal period. Owners of vehicles eight or less model years old are exempt from the smog check program until their ninth year of California registration. These vehicles will be assessed an annual smog abatement fee instead of being required to undergo a smog inspection. To determine the first year your vehicle will need a biennial smog check, add an eight to the model year of the vehicle.
c. Title Transfer - Most title transfer transactions will require a smog certification. Only when buying or selling a vehicle that is four or less model years old will a smog certification not be required to transfer title to the new owner. Diesel powered vehicles are exempt from the four or less model years old rule. Vehicles which are not required to undergo a smog inspection will be assessed a smog transfer fee. To determine the first year your vehicle will need a change-of-ownership smog check, add four to the model year of the vehicle.
b. Registration Renewal - Vehicles nine or more model years old and registered in counties which are subject to the biennial smog inspection program, will be required to submit proof of valid smog certification every other renewal period. Owners of vehicles eight or less model years old are exempt from the smog check program until their ninth year of California registration. These vehicles will be assessed an annual smog abatement fee instead of being required to undergo a smog inspection. To determine the first year your vehicle will need a biennial smog check, add an eight to the model year of the vehicle.
c. Title Transfer - Most title transfer transactions will require a smog certification. Only when buying or selling a vehicle that is four or less model years old will a smog certification not be required to transfer title to the new owner. Diesel powered vehicles are exempt from the four or less model years old rule. Vehicles which are not required to undergo a smog inspection will be assessed a smog transfer fee. To determine the first year your vehicle will need a change-of-ownership smog check, add four to the model year of the vehicle.
Smog Information
The State of California requires smog certification for all vehicles except:
• Diesel powered vehicles 1997-year model and older
• Diesel powered vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight (GVWR) of more than 14,000 lbs.
• Electric powered vehicles
• Natural gas-powered vehicles over 14,000 lbs.
• Motorcycles
• Trailers
• Gasoline powered vehicles1975 and older including Motorcycles and Trailers
Smog History Lookup - Find out when your vehicle passed its last smog inspection. Click here.
The State of California requires smog certification for all vehicles except:
• Diesel powered vehicles 1997-year model and older
• Diesel powered vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight (GVWR) of more than 14,000 lbs.
• Electric powered vehicles
• Natural gas-powered vehicles over 14,000 lbs.
• Motorcycles
• Trailers
• Gasoline powered vehicles1975 and older including Motorcycles and Trailers
Smog History Lookup - Find out when your vehicle passed its last smog inspection. Click here.
No. We are able to pay the fees so the penalties will not continue to increase. We may also be able to assist you with finding the best and most affordable insurance plan.
Yes, you may. You will need the last 3 digits of your vehicle's VIN number (vehicle identification number), the license plate number, or old registration/pink slip.
You may renew your registration at any time, however there are penalties associated with renewing late. California does not allow a grace period for registration renewal. Penalties accrue the day after your tag expires. Late fees depend on when you make your payment. Use the chart below as a guide.
• 1 - 10 Days Late - Additional 10% vehicle license and weight fee plus $10.00 DMV penalty and $10.00 CHP fee
• 11 - 30 Days Late - Additional 20% vehicle license and weight fee plus $15.00 DMV penalty and $15.00 CHP fee
• 31 Days - 1 Year - Additional 60% vehicle license and weight fee plus $30.00 DMV penalty and $30.00 CHP fee
• 1 Year - 2 Years - Additional 80% vehicle license and weight fee plus $50.00 DMV penalty and $50.00 CHP fee
• More Than 2 Years - Additional 160% vehicle license and weight fee plus $100.00 DMV penalty and $100.00 CHP fee
• 1 - 10 Days Late - Additional 10% vehicle license and weight fee plus $10.00 DMV penalty and $10.00 CHP fee
• 11 - 30 Days Late - Additional 20% vehicle license and weight fee plus $15.00 DMV penalty and $15.00 CHP fee
• 31 Days - 1 Year - Additional 60% vehicle license and weight fee plus $30.00 DMV penalty and $30.00 CHP fee
• 1 Year - 2 Years - Additional 80% vehicle license and weight fee plus $50.00 DMV penalty and $50.00 CHP fee
• More Than 2 Years - Additional 160% vehicle license and weight fee plus $100.00 DMV penalty and $100.00 CHP fee
If your car was stolen, be prepared to wait. Most insurance companies will impose a waiting period to see if the police recover your car. If your car is still missing after the waiting period, usually 21 days, you should receive a settlement soon after. If your car is recovered during the waiting period, the insurance company will want to see a repair estimate before deciding how to proceed.