12.105 Nonresident Military (NRM) Exemption (50 United States Code §574)

An NRM service member on active duty in California and spouse who lives with the service member qualifies for the NRM vehicle license fee (VLF) exemption on any vehicle or trailer coach, provided the vehicle is:

• Registered in the name of the NRM service member, their nonresident spouse, or both.
• Not operated for hire.

Military Personnel ID Verification—All branches of the U.S. Armed Forces (or Uniformed Services) issue a photo military identification (ID) card to military personnel and their dependents. The NRM member is the “sponsor” named on the dependent’s ID.

• Members of the Uniformed Services must present valid (not expired) military ID showing active duty status. The NRM must be the registered owner or lessee of the vehicle.
• Dependents of Uniformed Services members must present valid (not expired) military ID showing active duty status for the sponsor. The sponsor must be the registered owner or lessee of the vehicle.

NATO Members—A member of a force or civilian component of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) who is not a citizen of the United States is also entitled to the VLF exemption privilege. To receive the exemption, a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO Status of Forces Agreement) (REG 5046) form completed by the applicant must be submitted with the application and the applicant’s identity must be verified if the application is presented in person.

NATO’s 32 Country Members:

Albania
Belgium
Bulgaria
Canada
Croatia
Czechia
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Italy
Latvia
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Montenegro
Netherlands
North Macedonia
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Turkiye (Turkey)
United Kingdom
United States

NATO Members ID Verification

• A member of a force of a NATO country must present both of the following:
  • A personal ID card issued by the member’s home NATO country showing their name, date of birth, service organization, and a photograph.
  • Movement orders in the language of the member’s home NATO country and English certifying they were ordered to be in California.

Movement orders (assignment documents) can be from any one of the 31 NATO countries listed in this section, so the documents do not have a common format. Review each document to ensure it identifies the applicant, the member country, and the applicant’s assignment to duty in California.

• A civilian member of a country that is a member of NATO must show a valid passport from their home country that describes their status.

The following must be submitted:

• A Nonresident Military Exemption Statement (REG 5045) form completed by the NRM service member or spouse.
• If the application is presented in person, a military ID for the NRM or spouse.
• If the application is submitted by a dealer or registration service, a copy of the military ID of the NRM or spouse.
• If the application is submitted by mail, verification of ID is not required.

NRM service member stationed in California may apply for the NRM exemption and also file a California homeowner’s exemption for an owner-occupied residence. The NRM spouse VLF exemption does not apply to service member spouses who are already California residents, even when married to an NRM service member.