23.000 Introduction
DMV may accept an applicant’s Statement of Facts (REG 256) (PDF) form, a motor vehicle or vessel bond, or a bond alternative to support the issuance of a California title when regular evidence of ownership for the vehicle or vessel is not obtainable. (CVC §§4157, 9923, and 9924)
The value of the vehicle or vessel and type of application determines which document is required.
When a bond is required for registration of a vehicle or vessel, the:
- Bond must be for an amount equal to the market value of the vehicle/vessel. The market value is determined by taking the midpoint value between the wholesale and retail values shown in a recognized industry motor vehicle valuation and pricing handbook.
- Application must include a REG 256 (PDF) completed by the applicant stating the reason for submitting a bond.
- Bond may be submitted by the applicant, another person or online.
Note A bond with the preprinted signature and notary acknowledgment of the surety is not acceptable. However, the signature and acknowledgment of the principal must be original.
Vehicles—Accept a motor vehicle bond for any vehicle, including one from another state or country, when regular evidence of ownership is not obtainable. This includes an application to convert a nontransferable (goldenrod) registration. A foreign vehicle ownership bond is not mandatory for vehicles from another state or country, but is acceptable.
Vessels—Accept a vessel bond or a motor vehicle bond with a rider attached covering the vessel.
The REG 256 (PDF) and the vehicle or vessel bond or bond alternative must be conditioned to protect DMV, the applicant, and any future owner against loss resulting from any defect in, or undisclosed claim upon, ownership of the vehicle or vessel.
Chapter 23: Bonds and Certifications
23.010 Diligent Effort Process
23.020 Motor Vehicle Ownership Surety Bond
23.025 Motor Vehicle or Vessel Bond Alternatives
23.035 Return of Motor Vehicle or Vessel Bond Alternatives
23.045 Specially Constructed (SPCNS) Vehicle or Vessel
23.050 Unavailable Legal Owners
23.055 Undocumented Vessel Surety Bond
22.100 Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) Corrections (VC §4451)
To correct the VIN or engine number shown on the certificates, the following must be submitted:
- The California Certificate of Title.
- A Verification of Vehicle (REG 31 (PDF)) form.
Important A substantial change in the VIN may mean the certificates are for a different vehicle. If the correction substantially alters the VIN on the certificates, documentation must be presented to substantiate that the VIN is not for another vehicle, or a motor vehicle bond must be submitted.
The procedures below must be followed:
- The documentation presented must be acceptable for a VIN correction.
22.095 Vehicle Value Corrections
Over-Reported Vehicle Value
To correct the vehicle record, the following must be submitted:
- A Statement of Facts (REG 256 (PDF)) form containing:
— The correct vehicle value.
— The date the vehicle was purchased/acquired.
— That they believe the incorrect value information was entered when originally registering the vehicle in their name. - The California Certificate of Title or an Application for Replacement or Transfer of Title (REG 227 (PDF)) form, unless there is a lienholder/legal owner (LO) shown on the vehicle record. If there is an LO on the record, refer to the California Certificate of Title Held by the Lienholder/Legal Owner section in this chapter.
- Fees due based on the corrected vehicle value.
- An Application for Refund (ADM 399 (PDF)) form for a refund of any fees overpaid for prior transactions based on the incorrect value.
Under-Reported Vehicle Value
To correct the vehicle record, the following must be submitted:
- A REG 256 (PDF) containing:
— The correct vehicle value.
— The date the vehicle was purchased/acquired.
— They provided incorrect value information when originally registering the vehicle in their name.
— The California Certificate of Title or a REG 227 (PDF) form unless there is an LO shown on the vehicle record. If there is an LO on the record refer to the California Certificate of Title Held by the Lienholder/Legal Owner section in this chapter.
The procedures below must be followed:
The owner must not be asked why the value was reported incorrectly.
| If the Vehicle Is | Then |
|---|---|
| If the Vehicle IsCurrently registered | ThenThe applicant must be informed that DMV headquarters may send a bill for additional fees due based on the newly-reported vehicle value. NOTE: If the applicant requests substitute license plates/stickers at the same time, issue a temporary operating permit (TOP). |
| If the Vehicle IsNot currently registered | ThenThe newly-reported (correct) vehicle value must not be entered .Collect fees and penalties due based on the current (incorrect) vehicle value.The applicant must be informed that DMV headquarters will send a bill for any additional fees due based on the newly-reported vehicle value.Issue a TOP. |
22.090 Two Renewal Notices Received for the Same Vehicle
When a vehicle owner receives two renewal notices for the same vehicle and inquires about the duplicate notice; the following must be submitted:
- A Statement of Facts (REG 256) form explaining the situation.
Example: The vehicle left the state then returned and reregistered in California, is registered as special equipment, or is a revived junk.
- Documentation to substantiate the explanation, if available.
Example: The out-of-state registration showing the vehicle was registered prior to expiring in California.
The procedures below must be followed:
- Determine which is the correct renewal notice.
- Close the incorrect vehicle record by doing one or more of the following:
— Key the appropriate planned nonoperation (PNO) code in the PNO field.
— Clear the transaction if all documents and fees are submitted, or issue a report of deposit of fees (RDF) requesting additional items needed to mark the record corresponding to the incorrect renewal notice.
— If the vehicles record cannot be corrected, send the application to DMV headquarters.
When a vehicle owner receives two renewal notices for the same vehicle and renews using the wrong renewal notice; the following must be submitted:
- The incorrect registration card.
- Additional fees that may be due.
If the vehicle record must be corrected, send the application to DMV headquarters.
22.085 Renewal or Planned Nonoperation (PNO) Fees Paid on the Wrong Vehicle (VC §§4751 and 9562)
Both Vehicles Owned by the Same Owner—When the renewal of PNO fees are paid on the wrong vehicle and the registration for the correct vehicle expires, the following must be submitted:
- The incorrect registration card.
- A completed Statement of Facts (REG 256) form which explains fees were paid on the wrong vehicle and identifies the correct vehicle.
- Any additional fees due or a completed Application for Refund (ADM 399) form, which explains the mistake, shows the amount paid in error, amount to be applied to the correct vehicle, and amount requested as a refund.
The procedures below must be followed:
- Waive the late penalty if the registration was renewed in error, the owner did not operate the vehicle, and their intent was to file a Certificate of Non-Operation/Planned Non-Operation Certification (REG 102) form.
Vehicle Sold After Renewal/PNO Fees Are Paid—A refund cannot be issued when an owner pays the renewal or PNO fees and then sells the vehicle.
Fees Paid After The Vehicle Has Been Sold—A refund or transfer of fees may be considered, if renewal or PNO fees are paid by the owner after the vehicle is sold.
Transfer to New Owner Not Updated—If the vehicle record still reflects the seller’s name as the owner, the following must be submitted:
- The incorrect registration card.
- A REG 256 stating:
— The vehicle was registered in error for the current registration year.— They did not operate the vehicle.
— The registration fees paid were intended for another vehicle.
— The license plate number, make, and VIN for the intended vehicle.— The name of the buyer of the vehicle.
— The date of sale, if known.
Transfer to New Owner Updated—The applicant must provide evidence that the date of sale was before the date fees were paid if the vehicle record reflects a new owner’s name. A copy of the Notice of Release of Liability (REG 138) form is acceptable evidence.
The following must be submitted:
- Evidence that the date of sale was before the date fees were paid.
- A REG 256 explaining that fees were paid after the vehicle was sold.
- An ADM 399.
The procedures below must be followed:
- Call FOSU at (916) 657-8035 to have a VLT Stop 53 (Refer to Correspondence) placed on the vehicle.
- Attach the incorrect registration card and unused sticker to the ADM 399 and forward to the appropriate RPU in DMV headquarters for further action. The RPU will request the fees due from the new owner and adjust the fees due on the incorrect vehicle.
Note Fees will not be refunded or transferred without documentation.
22.080 Nonresident Military (NRM) Becomes a California Resident
When an NRM owner or NRM spouse becomes a California resident during the registration year and wants to cancel their NRM exemption status:
The following must be submitted:
- The current registration card and the California Certificate of Title, if issued.
- A Statement of Facts (REG 256) form stating:
— They are on active duty in the U.S. military service and wishes to cancel their NRM exemption.
— Their state of residence when the NRM exemption was granted.
— The date they became a California resident.
— Their California address. - The prorated vehicle license fee (VLF).
The procedures below must be followed:
- Line out the words “Nonresident Military” or “NRM” on the certificates.
- The VLF prorated from the month the applicant became a California resident to the end of the registration period must be collected.
- Do not collect penalties on a currently-registered NRM vehicle.
- Process a new registration card and California Certificate of Title, if issued.
22.075 New Vehicle Incorrectly Reported by the Dealer
Occasionally, a dealer incorrectly reports a new vehicle of a different description than the vehicle actually sold.
The following must be submitted:
- The California Certificate of Title or Application for Replacement or Transfer of Title (REG 227) form.
- A Dealer Statement of Facts (REG 477) form completed with the descriptions of the incorrectly reported vehicle and the vehicle actually sold.
- Additional fees to register the proper vehicle, if due.
22.070 Mixed License Plates and/or Registration Card
Use the following procedures when a customer says the license plates they received do not agree with the license plate number shown on the registration document(s):
| If the |
The Procedure Below Must Be Followed |
|---|---|
| If the
Customer currently owns both vehicles and the stickers and/or license plates were placed on the wrong vehicle |
The Procedure Below Must Be Followed
|
| If the
Customer owned both vehicles, but sold one of the vehicles |
The Procedure Below Must Be Followed
The applicant must exchange the license plates with the buyer of the other vehicle. |
| If the
License plates were obtained by the dealer |
The Procedure Below Must Be Followed
The applicant must contact the dealer. |
| If the
Envelope contained the wrong regular series plates |
The Procedure Below Must Be Followed
|
| If the
Envelope contained the wrong special license plates and the correct license plates cannot be located |
The Procedure Below Must Be Followed
|
22.065 Mismatched License Plates
Occasionally the license plates in a plate envelope do not match.
Example: 3SAM100 and 3SAM101 license plates together in the same envelope.
The following must be submitted:
- A completed Application for Replacement Plates, Stickers, Documents (REG 156) form.
- The mismatched plates.
The procedure below must be followed:
- Write both license plate numbers and “mismatched plates,” on the REG 156.
- Check the appropriate box on the REG 156 to indicate the number of license plates surrendered to DMV.
- Issue new license plates and stickers at no fee.