After a Death: A Deceased Person's DMV Matters in California in 2026

Reporting the death: the DMV 22

The DMV's page for reporting a death says it wants to help with practical matters during the loss of a loved one, and begins with the report: complete form DMV 22 and mail it to DMV, PO Box 942869, MS C271, Sacramento, CA 94269-0001. If the person had a disabled person parking placard and it is available, include it, marked with an X on both sides so the DMV knows it is no longer valid, with the placard number still legible. The DMV's records page, covered on the driving record guide, explains what it releases about a person's record and to whom.

Keeping the registration and insurance in order

Registration on a vehicle or vessel must be maintained while estate matters are managed, per the DMV: either the registration fees are paid or the vehicle is placed on planned nonoperation on or before the registration expiration date. A PNO is filed with the Planned Nonoperation Certification and the PNO fee, $28 on the DMV's fee schedule, up to 60 days before and no more than 90 days after the expiration date, and penalties are due when registration or PNO fees are paid after the date; the PNO guide has the windows and the penalty table. A vehicle that is currently registered but will not be driven keeps its insurance, or the family notifies the DMV that the liability coverage was cancelled by submitting an Affidavit of Non-Use, which prevents a registration suspension; the insurance guide explains the suspension.

Transferring the vehicle

A family member who decides to take the vehicle transfers the title to become the new legal owner, and the DMV says the documents vary by the type of transfer. Its title transfers page lists the deceased owner case: the heir may transfer with a death certificate and an Affidavit for Transfer without Probate (REG 5), subject to value limits, and the family, estate, inheritance and gift transfers take the title plus a Statement of Facts (REG 256) or an affidavit with the transfer fee, $15 on the fee schedule; the DMV also publishes a gift or inheritance title transfer checklist. The DMV's fee schedule lists a transfer on death beneficiary designation at $10. The title, the forms and the 10-day reporting rule are on the vehicle title guide; a vessel transfer takes the Certificate of Ownership, a bill of sale, the fees and use tax.

Special plates and placards

The DMV's page sets a rule for each kind of plate. Environmental plates (personalized plates) must be surrendered to the DMV unless the applicant is the heir named on the court documents or on the Affidavit for Transfer without Probate; when ownership is released by an administrator or executor, the relationship of the person receiving the vehicle to the decedent must be declared on a Statement of Facts (REG 256). Disabled person plates must be surrendered when the registration expires or within 60 days of the owner's death, whichever comes first. Disabled veteran plates must be surrendered by December 31 of the current year or within 60 days of the death, whichever comes first. Former Prisoner of War, Legion of Valor, Pearl Harbor Survivor and Purple Heart plates may be kept by the surviving spouse with their privileges, which may include exemption from registration and from plate reassignment, addition, deletion and replacement fees, on a Statement of Facts stating that they are the owner's spouse and wish to retain the plates. Former Prisoner of War and Purple Heart plates only: after the death of the owner and of the surviving spouse, if any, a parent, step-parent, child, step-child, grandparent, step-grandparent, sibling or step-sibling may keep one plate as a family heirloom, and the other plate is returned to the DMV when the registration expires or within 60 days of the death, whichever is first. The license plates guide and the placard guide cover the plates and placards in life.

Questions about a deceased person's DMV matters in California

How do I tell the DMV someone has died?

With form DMV 22, mailed to DMV, PO Box 942869, MS C271, Sacramento, CA 94269-0001, with the person's disabled person parking placard if there was one, marked with an X on both sides with the number still legible.

Can I transfer the car without going through probate?

The DMV's title transfers page says an heir may transfer with a death certificate and an Affidavit for Transfer without Probate (REG 5), with value limits; a transfer released by an administrator or executor needs a Statement of Facts (REG 256) declaring the relationship of the person receiving the vehicle.

Does the registration have to be kept up while the estate is settled?

Yes. The DMV says registration must be maintained while estate matters are managed, by paying the fees or placing the vehicle on planned nonoperation on or before the expiration date; PNO can be filed up to 60 days before and no more than 90 days after, with penalties after the date.

What happens to the insurance on a car nobody is driving?

The DMV says to keep it, or to notify the DMV that liability coverage was cancelled with an Affidavit of Non-Use, so the registration is not suspended.

What happens to disabled person or disabled veteran plates?

DP plates must be surrendered when the registration expires or within 60 days of the death, whichever is first; DV plates by December 31 of the current year or within 60 days of the death, whichever is first, per the DMV's deceased person page.

Can the family keep a Purple Heart plate?

The surviving spouse may keep Former Prisoner of War, Legion of Valor, Pearl Harbor Survivor and Purple Heart plates and their privileges with a Statement of Facts (REG 256); after the owner and spouse, another family member may keep one Former Prisoner of War or Purple Heart plate as an heirloom and return the other.