3.000 Introduction
Chapter 3 Collection and Payment of Fees and Penalties
This chapter discusses fee and penalty collection procedures. Refer to Appendix 1F for specific fee amounts.
Chapter 3: Collection and Payment of Fees and Penalties
3.015 Certificate of Non-Operation (CNO-REG 102)
3.025 Computation of Fees and Penalties
3.030 Dealer’s Document Preparation and Electronic Filing Service Fee
3.035 Dealer Responsibility for Fee Collection
3.040 Determination of Penalty Due Dates
3.055 Planned Non-Operation Certification (PNO-REG 102)
3.080 Waiver of Fees and/or Penalties
2.120 Wholesale Dealer (VC §285)
A wholesale dealer is a vehicle dealer who is exclusively involved in the sales of vehicles between licensed dealers.
Wholesale dealers must maintain a business office, but are not required to post their wall license, have a display area, or have a business sign.
2.115 Vessel Agent (VC §§9858 and 9858.1)
A vessel agent is appointed, but not licensed, by DMV and assigned a unique vessel agent number which is entered on the registration document.
Vessel agents may accept registration and/or transfer applications for undocumented vessels and issue permanent vessel numbers and temporary certificates of number.
Vessel agent appointment information may be found on the DMV website.
2.110 Vehicle Verifier (VC §§675.5, 675.6, and 11300)
A vehicle verifier is any person who verifies vehicle identification information and documentation against a physical inspection of vehicle.
A vehicle verifier must obtain a special permit before performing verifier duties. For information on obtaining a vehicle verifier license, see the DMV website.
2.105 Vehicles not Requiring an Occupational License
Sales of the following do not require an occupational license:
- Special construction equipment incidentally operated on public streets (VC §565)
- Special mobile equipment (VC §575)
- Forklifts primarily designed for loading and not operated on the highways
- Golf carts (VC §345)
- Motorized quadricycles and tricycles (VC §407)
- Motorized scooters (VC §407.5)
- Motorized bicycles and mopeds if the dealer sells no other products requiring licensure (VC §406)
- Portable dollies or tow dollies (VC §§617 and 4014)
- Aircraft refueling vehicles
- Manufactured homes (VC §387)
- Campers with one axle
- Dune buggies and sand rails
2.100 Van Converter
A van converter is a firm that converts new vehicles into another body type, such as a housecar or ambulance.
A van converter that buys new, unregistered vans from a franchised new vehicle dealer and converts them into another body type must have a dealer license.
A firm that merely makes the conversion for a dealer and does not buy or sell the vehicle is not required to be licensed as a dealer.
The vehicle may be moved only by permit or with the license plates of the contracting dealer.
2.095 Transporter (VC §645)
A transporter is any person engaged in the business of moving any owned or lawfully possessed vehicle by lawful methods over the highways for the purpose of delivery of such vehicles to dealers, sales agents of a manufacturer, purchasers, or to a new location as requested by the owner.
A transporter does not include a person engaged in the business of operating a tow car.
No person may act as a transporter without a valid license or temporary permit issued by DMV (VC §11701).
To transport an over-width or over-length vehicle, the transporter must obtain a permit from Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD).
2.090 Special Dealer, Manufacturer, Remanufacturer, and Distributor License Plates
Special license plates bearing the firm’s license number are issued to licensed firms other than lessor-retailers (VC §11714).
Use of Special License Plates (VC §11715)—Special license plates may be used by licensed dealers, manufacturers, remanufacturers, and distributors to operate any vehicle owned or lawfully possessed by the licensee. A vehicle displaying a special license plate may also be used to tow or transport other vehicles. A dealer may use special license plates for delivery to the buyer, when the sale is consummated at the place of delivery.
A licensed transporter may use a vehicle with special license plates for the purpose of towing or transporting (by any lawful method) other vehicles, for delivery to the owner or for sale. Each vehicle in contact with the highway must display special
license plates issued to the transporter.
Special license plates cannot be used on:
- A vehicle with a permit issued by DMV, being moved over the highways from a vessel, railroad depot, or warehouse to a warehouse or salesroom.
- Work or service vehicles owned by an occupational licensee, as identified above.
- Vehicles owned or leased by dealers, except those rented or leased to a vehicle salesperson, in the course of employment, for purposes of display or demonstration.
- An unregistered vehicle used to transport more than one load of other vehicles for the purpose of sale.
- A vehicle with current California registration that is owned and operated by a licensed dealer, if the former owner submitted a Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability (REG 138) form to DMV, and the customer copy of the report of sale is displayed on the vehicle.
Additional Special License Plates (VC §11715)
To request one or more additional sets of special license plates, submit a complete Application for Occupational License Special Plates, Stickers, and Registration Cards, and Duplicate License (OL 22) form with the required fees to the Occupational Licensing (OL) Unit.
Replacement Special License Plates, Stickers, Registration Cards, or Firm License (VC §11715)
To request replacement special license plates, stickers, duplicate registration cards, or a duplicate firm license:
- Complete an Application for Occupational License Special Plates, Stickers, Registration Cards, and Replacement License (OL 22) form.
- Submit the OL 22 form with the required fees to OL.
If requesting replacement license plates to OL, submit the registration card and unused sticker, if available.
Important Report lost or stolen license plates to the local police department or sheriff’s office.
Surrender of Special License Plates—If any special license plates are no longer needed:
- Submit a completed Report or Replace Lost, Stolen, or Surrendered Occupational License Special Plates (OL 247) (PDF) form to OL.
- Surrender the license plates, registration cards, and unused stickers to OL. Do not use the OL 247 to apply for replacement items.
2.085 Salesperson (VC §§ 675, 11800)
A vehicle salesperson is any person selling vehicles or contracts regarding vehicles or supervising the sale of vehicles or contracts for a dealer.