Reviewed and updated October 12, 2026 by the SearchSystems.net editorial team. Every fact on this page was read from the California DMV's own pages that day, and the DMV page each fact came from is linked where it appears.
Renewing online, by phone, mail or kiosk, the smog rule and the 34 counties, the late penalties the DMV charges with no grace period, planned non-operation, replacing a lost card, sticker or title, and the questions the DMV answers. The full fee schedule is on the fees page.
In this guide: Renewing online, By phone, by mail or at a kiosk, The smog check rule, Late penalties: no grace period, Planned Nonoperation, Replacing a lost card, sticker or title, Questions the DMV answers about renewal
Renewing online
Registration can be renewed online as soon as the renewal notice arrives, with the license plate number, the last 5 digits of the Vehicle Identification Number (or the Hull Identification Number for a vessel), and a card or checking account. The DMV lists four conditions: a valid credit card, debit card or checking account; the last 5 digits of the VIN or HIN; insurance on file, or a vehicle that needs none, such as a trailer; and electronic smog certification already on file. The insurance company must report to the DMV electronically, which is why some owners cannot renew online. Unpaid parking citations must be paid or settled first; a ticket being challenged is resolved in court, and the court's clearance paper then goes in with the renewal by mail or at an office. The renewal starts on the DMV's registration renewal page.
Change your address online at least 3 business days before renewing, so the new card and sticker go to the right address. The DMV's processing times page shows how long the card and sticker take to arrive.
By phone, by mail or at a kiosk
By phone: 1-800-777-0133. By mail: DMV Renewal, PO Box 942897, Sacramento, CA 94269-0001, for owners who must mail documents such as an insurance card and have time to wait. In cash: DMV kiosks inside some DMV offices and retail locations during business hours; the kiosk list is on dmv.ca.gov. The kiosk nearest the Santa Barbara office, at the Albertsons on Hollister Avenue in Goleta, is open 6:00 am to 11:00 pm every day according to the DMV's office page.
The smog check rule
A smog inspection is required at renewal for vehicles registered in these 34 counties: Alameda, Butte, Colusa, Contra Costa, Fresno, Glenn, Kern, Kings, Los Angeles, Madera, Marin, Merced, Monterey, Napa, Nevada, Orange, Sacramento, San Benito, San Francisco, San Joaquin, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Shasta, Solano, Stanislaus, Sutter, Tehama, Tulare, Ventura, Yolo and Yuba. The DMV's exemptions: a gasoline vehicle of model year 1975 or older, including motorcycles and trailers; a diesel vehicle of model year 1997 or older, or with a gross vehicle weight over 14,000 pounds; a natural gas vehicle over 14,000 pounds; an electric vehicle; and a gasoline vehicle less than eight model years old. Since January 1, 2019, the owner of a vehicle less than four model years old can pay the $20 smog abatement fee instead of getting an inspection for the first eight years the vehicle is registered.
Inspections are done at DMV-authorized smog check stations; if the renewal notice calls for a STAR station, the Bureau of Automotive Repair lists them. A vehicle that fails goes to the Bureau's Referee Program, and its Consumer Assistance Program can help with emissions repair costs. A car sold must carry a valid smog certification to the buyer unless it is less than four years old, in which case the buyer pays the $8 smog transfer fee. A car given by a spouse, domestic partner, sibling, child, parent, grandparent or grandchild needs no inspection, unless that relative bought it for you without titling it first. Source: the DMV's smog inspections page.
Late penalties: no grace period
The DMV does not offer a grace period. Fees are due on or before the expiration date printed on the registration card, which is a specific day even though the plate sticker shows only a month and year. A late payment adds a percentage of the vehicle license fee and the weight fee, a registration late fee and a CHP late fee:
| Days late | Share of the vehicle license fee and weight fee added | Registration late fee | CHP late fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 to 10 days | 10 percent | $10 | $10 |
| 11 to 30 days | 20 percent | $15 | $15 |
| 31 days to one year | 60 percent | $30 | $30 |
| More than one year, up to two years | 80 percent | $50 | $50 |
| More than two years | 160 percent | $100 | $100 |
A vehicle never registered in California that is registered late owes 40 percent of the vehicle license fee and weight fee in the first year, 80 percent in the second year, and 160 percent after two years. Source: the DMV's registration fees page.
Planned Nonoperation
A vehicle that will be stored and not driven can be filed as Planned Nonoperation (PNO) online for the $28 filing fee instead of paying registration. A PNO may be filed up to 90 days after the expiration date if the vehicle was not operated in any way, but the late penalties already accrued are still due. If a PNO vehicle is then driven, or parked where it could get a parking ticket, full registration fees and that year's penalties are owed. The filing is on the DMV's PNO page.
Replacing a lost card, sticker or title
A lost registration card or sticker is replaced with the Application for Replacement Plates, Stickers, Documents (REG 156) and the $28 replacement fee; a lost, stolen or damaged Certificate of Title with the Application for Replacement or Transfer of Title (REG 227) and the $28 duplicate fee. Both go to the DMV by mail or at an office; a replacement card or sticker can also be ordered on the DMV's online replacement page. The DMV says a title usually arrives by mail within 15 to 30 days.
Questions the DMV answers about renewal
My registration fees are paid but the smog check failed. Am I renewed?
No. The DMV says a renewal is not final until every requirement is met, so the smog certification must be completed, and any parking tickets paid, before the registration renews.
I have not received a renewal notice. What now?
The DMV sends the billing notice about 60 days before expiration. If it does not arrive, contact customer service or use the fee calculator to find the amount due; the fees are still due by the expiration date on the registration card.
My check has not cleared. Should I stop payment?
No. The DMV says not to place a stop payment, because it may still be processing the check, and to contact customer service if the check has not cleared 8 weeks after the renewal.
I am moving out of state but the car stays registered in California. What do I do?
Report the change of address to the DMV within 10 days of moving; it can be done online for vehicle, vessel, license and ID records.
Can a minor register a vehicle?
No. The DMV states that a minor without a valid driver's license cannot order, buy, lease or receive a vehicle as a gift (Vehicle Code Division 6.5, Chapter 1).
Does a military member skip the smog check?
No. The DMV says active duty members and veterans still need a smog inspection.
Written by SearchSystems.net from the California DMV's registration renewal, smog inspections, registration fees and title pages, read on October 12, 2026.