10.145 Removing a Notice of Release of Liability (NRL) From a Record
Renewal notices are not generated when the vehicle record contains a Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability (NRL).
The following procedure must be used to delete NRL information from the record:
| If | Then |
|---|---|
| IfThe buyer’s name matches the name of the registered owner of record (usually because the NRL updated after the transfer) | ThenPrint a copy of the vehicle record. Dateline stamp and write “delete Subrecord J” on the printout. Forward the printout to the Data Entry Unit at MS D190 in DMV headquarters with the miscellaneous work. |
| IfThe buyer’s name does not match the name of the registered owner of record (for example: the sale was canceled/voided) | ThenVerify that the customer and registered owner (as shown on the vehicle record) are the same person. Have the customer complete a REG 256 (PDF) with: -The license plate number. -The vehicle identification number (VIN). -Section G completed stating the vehicle has not been sold and that they are the registered owner and in physical possession of the vehicle. -Section H completed with the full printed name and signature of the customer. Print a copy of the vehicle record. Dateline stamp and write “delete Subrecord J” on the printout. Forward the printout and REG 256 to the Involuntary Transfer Section (ITS) at MS D273 in DMV headquarters with the miscellaneous work. |
| IfA telephone inquiry is received for either of the situations described above | ThenMail a REG 256 to the customer and instruct them to complete the REG 256 as listed above. Instruct the customer to mail the completed REG 256 to: DMV Registration Processing Unit MS C271 2415 First Ave. Sacramento, CA 95818 |
| IfIf the customer states that they do not own the vehicle and is receiving towing or parking/toll violation charges | ThenHave them complete a Record of Complaint Form (INV 172A) (PDF). Fax the completed INV 172A to ITS at (916) 657-5909. |
10.140 Registration Renewals
Every vehicle registration expires at midnight of the assigned registration expiration date. The registration must be renewed or a planned nonoperation (PNO) certification filed on or before the expiration date to avoid a late penalty. (VC §§4601 and 9552)
Mandatory Renewal—Renewal fees must be paid on any application presented within 30 days of the registration expiration date, except on an application for replacement title only (VC §5902.5).
Renewal Options:
- Online Renewal at dmv.ca.gov—The option of online renewal is available to vehicle owners who have or have not received a renewal notice that shows the current address or who use the online Change of Address system to change their address prior to renewing their registration.
- Automated Voice Recognition (AVR) Service—The option of renewing by telephone is available, by calling 1-800-777-0133 for owners who have received a renewal notice that:
- Shows the current address or will use the online Change of Address system to change the address prior to renewing their registration.
- Includes a renewal identification number (RIN).
- Self-Service Terminal (SST)—Currently there are SSTs located in the lobbies of many DMV field and AAA offices. The requirements for use are the same as for online renewal.
- By Mail—Available to vehicle owners who have or have not received a renewal notice.
- If the owner does not have a notice, they may still mail the fees (calculated by the online fee calculator, quoted by a DMV call center employee, DMV headquarters, DMV field office, or estimated based on the previous registration card) and the previous registration card or note with the registered owners information to renew.
10.135 Registration Renewal Notices
Required Notification—DMV must notify vehicle owners that registration renewal fees are due at least 60 days prior to the registration renewal date. Before renewal notices are printed, address changes received by the United States Postal Service are compared to DMV’s database to ensure the computer-generated renewal notices are mailed to the vehicle owner’s latest address. (VC §1661)
When an owner is not notified at least 60 days prior to the expiration date the renewal or PNO fees become delinquent 67 days after the notification date indicated on the vehicle record. The seven additional days allow for mailing time.
10.130 Registration Expiration Dates (VC §1651.5)
Registration expiration dates are programmatically assigned and cannot be changed, except as specifically required by the procedures in this manual.
10.125 Privately-Owned School Bus (PSB) (VC §9102.5)
Renewal notices are not generated for PSB.
The following must be submitted:
- A School Bus Registration or Permit Application (REG 123) form signed by both:
- An authorized agent of the school or the vehicle owner or operator.
- The CHP officer who inspected and approved the vehicle for operation as a PSB.
The procedures below must be followed:
- Collect the PSB fee. (A penalty is not collected on this fee.)
- Remind the applicant that renewal notices are not sent for PSBs. It is the responsibility of the vehicle owner to submit a REG 123 and the renewal fee prior to the expiration date.
10.120 Plates with Permanent Expiration Dates (VC §§5002.5, 5002.8, and 9105)
The following license plates are assigned a permanent 12/31 expiration date but must be renewed annually:
- Congressional Medal of Honor (CMOH).
- Disabled Veteran.
- Foreign Organization Plates (Taipei Economic and Cultural Office [TECO]).
- Honorary Consul.
- Legislative (fee paid and exempt).
10.115 Planned Nonoperation (PNO) Status (VC §4604)
The renewal fees for vehicles with PNO status must be paid on or prior to the date of first operation to avoid penalties.
Certificate of Nonoperation (CNO/ REG 102) Form Required—A CNO is required to renew the registration of:
- A commercial motor vehicle on PNO status.
- Any vehicle when evidence of use, such as a parking citation, is present. The date of first operation must be on or prior to the violation date on the citation.
Invalid PNO Filings—Registration stops, parking violations, transaction in process (TIP), and other record conditions may not allow filing of a PNO. Determination is based on the registration expiration dates, parking violation dates, stops, or record condition.
The procedures below must be followed:
- If a CNO is not submitted:
- Assume the current workdate is the date of first operation.
- If a CNO is submitted:
- Key the date of first operation indicated on the CNO.
10.110 Parking/Toll Violations on Record (VC §§4760 and 4761)
Registration renewal cannot be completed for a vehicle if the owner or lessee has unpaid parking/toll violations on record. All violations shown on the record must be cleared by the issuing agency or paid with the renewal fees before the renewal can be completed.
Erroneous Citations—Customers claiming citations are not theirs must resolve the claim with the parking agency. DMV cannot remove a citation without a release from the issuing parking agency or payment of the violation fine.
Proof of Payment to DMV—The owner may use the receipt issued by DMV when they paid the parking violation fees to DMV as proof of payment to reduce the possibility of the vehicle being impounded or immobilized. The receipt shows each
parking and administrative fee paid.
Refunds—If parking/toll violation fees are paid to a parking/toll agency and DMV, the refund must come from the parking/toll agency.
Renewal notices list up to three parking/toll violation fees and show the remaining number of citations, as well as the total fees due for those citations on the record at the time the notice was printed. Citation numbers on the renewal notice may have
additional numbers or letters before or after the actual citation number.
The following must be submitted:
- A Notice of Payment of Parking Violation (REG 194R) form.
- A Notice of Disposition of Multiple Parking/Toll Violations (REG 197) form.
- A parking agency cash register receipt with the agency name or code, the citation number, and the date paid.
- A letter, on the parking agency letterhead, showing the citation number and the date paid or disposition of the citation.
- A cancelled check (both sides, if a photocopy is submitted) made payable to the appropriate parking agency showing the same bail amount as on the vehicle record and the citation number.
Important Examine the proof of payment presented for the parking agency’s name, agency code number, citation number, and date paid or citation disposition. If the validity or acceptability of the document is in doubt, authorized employees may call the parking agency to verify disposition of a violation.
10.105 Owner Responsibility Citations on Record (VC §40002.1)
Registration renewal cannot be completed when the owner or lessee has unpaid owner responsibility citations (ORC) on record. All citations shown on the record must be cleared by the issuing agency before the renewal can be completed.
The following must be submitted:
- Proof of ORC Clearance—which is an Abstract of Court Record Release Adjudication (DL 106R) form that the court issues to both the cited owner and DMV when it clears an ORC.
- A DL 106R with Disposition Code “Z” in the “Judgment” area is not acceptable; the applicant must contact the issuing court to obtain a corrected DL 106R.
- An ORC fee for each ORC.
The procedures below must be followed:
- Compare the DL 106R with the ORC on record.
- If there is a citation number discrepancy, you may contact the court to confirm the citation number for a discrepancy of one or two letters/numbers.
- If the applicant claims their ORCs are cleared, you may contact the issuing agency to obtain the clearance information. In such cases:
- Complete a REG256 (PDF) with the name of the individual you spoke to, the disposition of the citation, and the conviction date.
- Call the Registration Abstract Section (RAS) at (916) 657-5910 for instructions and/or removal of the ORC. ORCs can only be cleared by RAS at DMV headquarters.
- Fax the DL 106R to RAS to remove the ORC.
- Complete the renewal or other type of transaction as normal, once the ORC is removed from the record.
Renewal Notices—Renewal notices for vehicles with an ORC on record will include an “OWNER RESPONSIBILITY FEE” message, the amount due, and an insert listing each uncleared ORC by number, date of issuance, and name of issuing jurisdiction. Citation numbers on the renewal notice may have additional numbers or letters before or after the actual citation number.
Transfer, Junk, or Salvage Certificate Applications—The new owner is not responsible for the ORC citations. The ORC hold (VLT stop, RCC 48) will be deleted if the new owner’s name is different from the name on the abstract. However, if an ORC service fee was previously paid, or a DL 106R was submitted on a report of deposit of fees (RDF), the service fee is not refunded and a DL 106R must be part of the application. Send the paperwork to DMV headquarters for processing.
10.100 Nonresident Military Personnel (NRM) (50 United States Code §574)
Nonresident military members (NRM) of the U.S. Armed Forces stationed in California and their nonresident spouses are exempt from the vehicle license fee (VLF) portion of the California registration fees on any vehicle or trailer coach owned or leased by the NRM person or their nonresident spouse. The NRM or their nonresident spouse must be shown as a registered owner or lessee of the vehicle, and the vehicle cannot be operated for hire.
Military Identification (ID)—All branches of the U.S. Armed Forces and Uniformed Services issue a photo military ID card to military personnel and their dependents. The military member is the “sponsor” named on the dependent’s ID. In person applicants must present valid military ID to be eligible for the VLF exemption.
The following must be submitted:
- A completed Nonresident Military (NRM) Vehicle License Fee and Transportation Improve Fee Exemption (REG 5045) (PDF) form.
- If applying in person, the valid military ID.
Note Mail applications may be processed without verification of military ID.
The procedures below must be followed:
- Verify the applicant’s eligibility for the exemption.
- Verify the applicant’s military ID if applying in person.
- Dateline stamp and initial the Military Identification Verified line on the REG 5045.
- Process the transaction as usual.
Note It is not necessary to verify an applicant’s ID on returning report of deposit of fees (RDFs) applications if the REG 5045 has the original dateline stamp and initials.