1.110 Q Series License Plate Numbers (VC §4452)
Q Series control numbers, similar to license plate numbers, are assigned and printed on the certificates issued for title only vehicles not previously registered in California, transfer only of previously exempt vehicles, and vehicles last assigned a plate-with-owner series license plate, such as an Environmental License Plate.
1.115 Registration by Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) (VC §671)
Vehicles are primarily registered by the manufacturer-assigned VIN which is die-stamped into the vehicle frame or stamped on a plate attached to the vehicle body. The certificate of title and registration card contain the VIN.
Second Stage Manufactured Vehicles
When a vehicle is completed by adding a structure/equipment (second stage) to an incomplete vehicle (first stage), the VIN of the first stage is used for registration purposes; however, the year model, make, and body type are determined by the second stage.
Example: A 2009 Ford chassis has a 2010 Fleetwood motorhome body attached. The registration would correctly show 2010 Fleetwood motorhome with the 2009 Ford VIN.
1.105 Photocopy/Fax Copy of Documents (VC §1651)
A photocopy and fax copy are considered the same by DMV. If DMV procedures authorize acceptance of a photocopy, a fax copy is also acceptable. Photocopies or fax copies of documents and/or signatures other than those authorized are not acceptable.
Court Document—The original, certified copy, or photocopy of a certified copy of a court document is acceptable.
Manufacturer’s Certificate/Statement of Origin (MCO/MSO)—The original or a replacement Certificate/Statement of Origin issued by the manufacturer is acceptable (not a photocopy).
Power of Attorney—A photocopy of a general power of attorney, including the Power of Attorney (REG 260) (PDF) form, is acceptable. However, a copy of the Vehicle/Vessel Transfer and Reassignment Form (REG 262) is not acceptable, even if the form has only the Power of Attorney section completed.
Registration Card—A legible photocopy of the last-issued California registration is acceptable on all transactions except unavailable records.
Title—A photocopy of the title document is not acceptable.
Vehicle/Vessel and Reassignment Form (REG 262)—A photocopy of a REG 262 is not acceptable, even if used only as a power of attorney.
Other Documents—A photocopy or fax copy of a form may be accepted in lieu of the original, provided the information and signature on the form are original.
Repetitive information, such as the same year model, make, and model, may be a copy when multiple applications are submitted.
A document altered from its original context and then copied is never acceptable.
Critical information such as the last digits of the vehicle identification number and signatures must be original.
Note A copy of a signature is acceptable when an application must be reconstructed because it was lost within DMV or a dealer is out-of-business (DOB).
1.100 Notary-Expiration Date of Commission on Documents
A California notary’s commission expiration date is required for notarized signatures on the Application for Replacement or Transfer of Title (PDF) (REG 227) (PDF) form, including an Electronic Lien and Title (ELT) transfer. Accept an out-of-state notary’s stamp as submitted. Refer to Chapter 20 for additional information. California notaries public must use a notary acknowledgement statement on which the notary public verifies only the identity of the individual who signed the document and not the truthfulness, accuracy, or validity of the document.
1.095 Name Statement Requirement (VC §1652)
The Name Statement section of a Statement of Facts (REG 256) (PDF) form must be completed when an applicant’s printed name and signature are so different that it appears to be two different people. A name statement is not required for signatures containing less than the printed name.
Signature examples:
| If the Printed Name Is | And the Signature Is | Then a Name Statement Is |
|---|---|---|
| If the Printed Name IsJoseph Donald Smith | And the Signature Is• Joe D. Smith • Joseph Smith • J. Donald Smith • Another variation of the first and middle name(s) • Includes a suffix such as Jr. or Sr. | Then a Name Statement IsNot required. It is DMV’s policy to accept an individual’s usual signature. Only question an applicant if the signature does not resemble the printed name in any manner. |
| If the Printed Name IsJ.J. Doe Metal Co. | And the Signature IsJames Metal Co. | Then a Name Statement IsRequired. |
| If the Printed Name IsVirginia D. Smith | And the Signature IsDenise Smith | Then a Name Statement IsRequired. |
1.090 Name and/or Address Too Long
The registered or legal owner name or address will be abbreviated when the information exceeds the space limitations of the DMV automated system. If there is insufficient room:
- “Doing business as” (DBA) will not be recorded on the document.
- Only the name of the trust will appear on the printed document.
- Only the appropriate abbreviations are being used.
- Three lines for individual and/or company names or addresses will be used.
- The name or address of an individual and/or company will be split.
- Two names will be placed on one line.
1.085 Mail Applications (VC §9557)
The post office cancellation date (postmark) is considered the “mailed date” for an application addressed to DMV or authorized motor club and placed in the U.S. mail or any U.S. Postal Service maintained postal box.
1.080 Lost Mail Applications
DMV may process an application mailed during a penalty-free period and lost in the mail without penalties using replacement documents.
The applicant must submit:
- A Statement of Facts (REG 256) (PDF) form regarding mailing of the application.
- Any registration fees due.
1.075 License Plates (VC §§4850 and 4850.5)
License plates, identify the type of registration (passenger, commercial, trailer, etc.), and provide a means of locating the vehicle owner through DMV files. For information regarding California automobile, motorcycle, and trailer license plates issued from 1914 through 1969 and commercial license plates issued from 1914 through 1972, see Appendix 1E.
Trailers, motorcycles, special equipment (SE), tow dollies, and commercial truck tractors with a TR, DR, or DS body type model are issued one license plate. All other vehicle types registered in California are issued two license plates except apportioned vehicles base-plated in another state, which are issued only a sticker.
Truck tractors must have the license plate attached to the front of the vehicle. If truck tractors are assigned special interest license plates, the license plate with the stickers must be attached to the front of the vehicle and the other license plate destroyed.
Exception: Truck tractors defined as cotton module movers (VC §§36012, 36101) and issued an SE identification plate are exempt from the vehicle license and weight fees but are subject to the registration and CHP fees on an annual basis. See Chapter 16 for special equipment and Appendix 1F for fees.
Undesirable License Plate Configurations—Vehicle owners who request issuance of substitute license plates to replace an undesirable license plate configuration may be issued replacement license plates for no fee. Refer to Chapter 20 for substitute
license plates.
Surrender of License Plates
Any license plate(s) currently assigned to a vehicle must be surrendered to DMV when new license plates are issued for the vehicle.
Exception: Retention of special interest license plates (plate-with-owner) by the license plate owner as authorized by statute for that license plate type.
Central License Plate Issuance (CLPI) Program—A central issuance facility in Sacramento issues and mails the majority of license plates, stickers, and registration cards submitted by mail and as bundle items. The central inventory file is transmitted electronically every night to DMV headquarters and the registration cards are printed.
Exception: License plates for vehicles being registered to rental companies that request immediate license plate issuance, leasing companies at the lessor’s address when the lessor requests issuance of the license plates for personal delivery to the lessee, and hardship cases may be issued in the field office.
1.070 Legibility of Writing or Lettering
The quality of the certificate issued depends primarily on the legibility and accuracy of the information entered on the application.
• Information on most documents may be typewritten, computer-generated, or hand-printed.
• If hand-printed, the DMV prefers that only upper case block letters are used except for the following letters which should be handwritten in script or cursive to avoid confusion/error.