What you need to do to renew your California registration

California sends you a renewal notice in the mail about 60 days before your registration expires. The notice shows your vehicle's information, the renewal fee, and your renewal date. You can renew online through the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) website, by mail, or in person at a DMV office. Online renewal is the fastest option and takes about 10 minutes if you have your renewal notice handy.

You do not need to visit a DMV office for a standard renewal unless your vehicle failed a smog check, you have unpaid parking tickets, or your registration is more than one year expired. Most people renew without leaving home.

Key Takeaways

  • The DMV mails a renewal notice 60 days before your registration expires, and you can renew online, by mail, or in person.
  • Online renewal through the DMV website costs the same as other methods and is the fastest way to complete the process.
  • You will need your renewal notice, a valid payment method, and proof that your vehicle passed a smog check if your vehicle requires one.
  • Your new registration tags arrive by mail within two to three weeks after you renew, so plan ahead if your tags expire soon.

Renewing online through the DMV website

Go to dmv.ca.gov and select "Renew Vehicle Registration" from the homepage. You will need your renewal notice, which has a reference number printed on it. Enter that number, your vehicle identification number (VIN), and your date of birth. The website will pull up your registration record and show you the renewal fee.

Pay with a credit card, debit card, or electronic check. The DMV charges a small processing fee for credit and debit card payments. After you pay, you will see a confirmation number on screen and receive an email receipt. Your new registration tags will be mailed to the address on file, usually arriving within two to three weeks.

If you do not have your renewal notice, you can still renew online by entering your VIN and license plate number instead of the reference number. The website will locate your record the same way.

Renewing by mail

Mail your renewal notice and payment to the address printed on the back of the notice. Include a check or money order for the renewal fee. Do not send cash. Mail renewal takes longer than online renewal — typically three to four weeks from the time the DMV receives your payment.

If you are renewing by mail and your vehicle requires a smog check, you must include proof of a passing smog test with your payment. Without it, the DMV will return your renewal and you will have to start over.

Renewing in person at a DMV office

Bring your renewal notice, a valid ID, and proof of a passing smog test if your vehicle requires one. You can also bring your vehicle registration card and proof of California insurance. Walk-in service is available at most DMV offices, but you may wait 30 minutes to two hours depending on the time of day and location.

You can also make an appointment through the DMV website to reduce wait time. Appointments fill up quickly, especially near the end of the month, so book as soon as you receive your renewal notice if you prefer not to wait.

When your vehicle needs a smog check

California requires a smog check every two years for most vehicles. Your renewal notice will tell you whether your vehicle needs one. Vehicles that are model year 1975 or older, or newer than eight years old, are usually exempt. Diesel vehicles have different rules.

You must pass the smog check before you renew your registration. Take your vehicle to a STAR-certified smog station — these are independent repair shops and gas stations licensed by the state to perform smog tests. The test costs between $30 and $50. Once you pass, the station gives you a certificate or sends the results directly to the DMV. You then renew your registration as normal, and the DMV will see that you passed.

If you fail the smog check, you have 30 days to fix the problem and retest at no additional charge at the same station. If you pass the retest, you can renew your registration when ready.

Registration fees and what they cover

The renewal fee depends on your vehicle's value, weight, and age. The DMV calculates this based on information in your registration record. Fees typically range from $150 to $300 for a standard passenger vehicle, but luxury vehicles and trucks may cost more. Your renewal notice shows the exact amount you owe.

The renewal fee covers your registration tags, the registration card, and the cost of processing. If you renew online or by mail, you may pay a small additional processing fee. In-person renewal at a DMV office does not charge an extra processing fee.

If your registration is more than one year expired, you may owe a late penalty in addition to the renewal fee. The penalty increases the longer you wait to renew.

What to do if you did not receive your renewal notice

The DMV mails renewal notices to the address on file. If you moved and did not update your address with the DMV, your notice may have gone to your old address. You can still renew online by entering your VIN and license plate number instead of the reference number from the notice.

If you cannot find your renewal notice and do not know your VIN or license plate number, call the DMV at 1-800-777-0133. They can look up your record and tell you your renewal fee and due date. You can also visit a DMV office in person and bring your driver's license and vehicle keys.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my registration if it has already expired?

Yes, but you will owe a late penalty on top of the renewal fee. The longer your registration is expired, the higher the penalty. You can renew online, by mail, or in person at any time, even after the expiration date. If your registration is more than one year expired, you may need to visit a DMV office in person.

How long does it take to get my new registration tags after I renew?

New tags arrive by mail within two to three weeks after the DMV processes your renewal. If you renew in person at a DMV office, you may be able to get temporary tags on the spot, but permanent tags still arrive by mail. Plan ahead if your current tags expire soon.

Do I need to renew my registration if I sell my vehicle?

No. When you sell your vehicle, the new owner is responsible for renewing the registration. You should notify the DMV that you sold the vehicle by submitting a Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability form. This protects you from liability if the new owner gets a ticket or is in an accident.

What happens if I renew online but my vehicle fails a smog check later?

If your vehicle fails a smog check after you have already renewed, you will need to fix the vehicle and pass a retest. You do not need to renew your registration again. However, if you renew before passing a required smog check, the DMV may cancel your registration and ask you to resubmit proof of a passing test.