What an Affidavit of Non-Use Does
An Affidavit of Non-Use is a form you file with the California DMV when you want to stop paying registration fees for a vehicle you are not driving. If you sign and submit this form, the DMV will suspend your vehicle registration without canceling it outright. Your registration remains on file but inactive, which means you do not have to renew it or pay fees while the vehicle sits unused.
This is different from canceling your registration entirely. When you file a non-use affidavit, you can reactivate the same registration later without starting over. You keep your license plate number and registration history. If you cancel instead, you lose the plate and must register the vehicle again from the beginning if you ever want to drive it.
The non-use option works best if you plan to return the vehicle to the road within a few years. If you are selling the vehicle, junking it, or moving out of state permanently, cancellation is usually the simpler choice.
Key Takeaways
- An Affidavit of Non-Use suspends your registration and stops renewal fees while keeping your registration active in the DMV system.
- You must file the form before your registration expires, or the DMV will treat it as a lapsed registration instead.
- The vehicle cannot be driven on public roads while the non-use affidavit is in effect, even with a valid driver's license.
- You can reactivate the registration by filing a new affidavit or by renewing when you are ready to drive the vehicle again.
- The form is free and can be submitted by mail, in person at a DMV office, or through an authorized third-party service.
When You Need to File Before Your Registration Expires
Timing matters. You must file your Affidavit of Non-Use before your current registration renewal date passes. If you wait until after the expiration date, the DMV will not accept the affidavit. Instead, your registration will be marked as lapsed, and you will have to pay a late renewal fee plus the standard registration fee to bring it current again.
Check your registration card or renewal notice for the expiration month and year. If your registration expires in June, you have until the last day of June to file the affidavit. Filing early is safer than waiting until the last week.
If your registration has already expired and you did not file an affidavit, you can still file one, but the DMV will treat it differently. Contact your local DMV office or call 1-800-777-0133 to ask whether filing now will clear the lapsed status or whether you need to renew first.
How to Get and Complete the Form
The form you need is Statement Regarding Non-Use of Vehicle, also called the Affidavit of Non-Use. You can get it three ways: read it from the California DMV website (dmv.ca.gov), pick up a copy at any DMV office, or request it by mail.
The form is short and asks for basic information: your name, address, vehicle identification number (VIN), license plate number, and the reason you are not using the vehicle. You do not need a notary or witness to sign it, though some people choose to have it notarized for their own records.
Fill in every field clearly. Use black or blue ink if you print and write by hand. If you type the form, make sure the text is legible. Double-check your VIN and license plate number against your registration card — mistakes here can delay processing or cause the DMV to reject the form.
Where and How to Submit Your Affidavit
You have three options for submitting the completed form. The fastest is to bring it in person to your local DMV office. You do not need an appointment for this task. Walk in during business hours, give the form to the counter staff, and they will process it on the spot. You will receive a receipt showing the DMV received your affidavit.
You can also mail the form to the DMV address listed on the form itself. Include your name and phone number on the envelope. Mail delivery takes one to two weeks, and you will not receive a confirmation unless you include a self-addressed stamped postcard with your submission. Keep a copy of the form for your records.
Some authorized third-party services, such as AAA or local vehicle registration services, can submit the affidavit on your behalf. They charge a small fee for this service, usually between $10 and $25. This option is useful if you cannot reach a DMV office or prefer not to mail the form.
What Happens After You File
Once the DMV processes your affidavit, your registration status changes to non-use. You will not receive a renewal notice for that vehicle. You will not owe registration fees as long as the non-use status remains in effect. The DMV will keep your registration information on file, including your license plate number.
You should receive written confirmation from the DMV within two to four weeks, though processing times vary. If you submitted the form in person, ask for a receipt before you leave the office. If you mailed it, keep a copy of the form and any tracking information from your mailing service.
During the non-use period, you cannot legally drive the vehicle on public roads in California. If you are stopped by law enforcement, your registration will show as suspended, and you could face a citation. The vehicle can sit in your driveway, garage, or storage lot without penalty.
How to Reactivate Your Registration
When you are ready to drive the vehicle again, you have two paths. The simpler one is to file a new affidavit stating that you are resuming use of the vehicle. This restores your registration to active status without requiring a full renewal. You can file this affidavit at any DMV office or by mail using the same process as the original non-use affidavit.
The other path is to renew your registration normally. You can do this online through the DMV website, by mail, or in person at a DMV office. When you renew, your registration becomes active again, and you will pay the standard renewal fee. Your license plate number and registration history remain the same.
If more than four years have passed since you filed the non-use affidavit, the DMV may require a smog check before you can reactivate the registration. Check with the DMV or your renewal notice to see whether a smog check is required for your vehicle.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
The most common error is filing the affidavit after the registration has already expired. Once the expiration date passes, the DMV will not treat a late affidavit as a non-use filing. Instead, you will have to pay a late fee and renew the registration to clear the lapsed status. Always file before the expiration date on your registration card.
Another mistake is providing incorrect vehicle information. If you write down the wrong VIN or license plate number, the DMV may not be able to match the affidavit to your registration. The form will be rejected or delayed. Copy the VIN and plate number directly from your registration card or vehicle title, not from memory.
Some people file a non-use affidavit and then forget about it. Years later, they try to renew the registration and discover it is still in non-use status. To avoid this, keep a note of when you filed the affidavit and set a reminder for yourself about when you plan to reactivate it. If your plans change and you no longer own the vehicle, file a cancellation form instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive the vehicle while the non-use affidavit is in effect?
No. Once the affidavit is processed, the registration is suspended and the vehicle cannot be driven on public roads. Driving with a suspended registration can result in a citation and fine. If you need to move the vehicle, you must have it towed or transported on a trailer.
What if I file the affidavit but then change my mind and want to drive the vehicle next month?
You can reactivate the registration by filing a new affidavit stating you are resuming use, or by renewing the registration. Either option takes a few days to a few weeks to process. If you think you might drive the vehicle soon, it may be simpler to just renew the registration instead of filing a non-use affidavit.
Do I need to have the affidavit notarized?
No. The California DMV does not require notarization for the Affidavit of Non-Use. You can sign it yourself. Some people choose to have it notarized anyway for their personal records, but it is not necessary for the DMV to process it.
What happens if I file a non-use affidavit and then sell the vehicle?
Contact the DMV and file a cancellation form instead. Selling the vehicle while it is in non-use status can create confusion with the new owner's registration. Canceling clears your registration record and removes any liability on your part. The new owner will register the vehicle in their own name.
How long can I keep a vehicle in non-use status?
There is no set time limit. You can keep the registration in non-use status for as long as you own the vehicle and do not drive it. However, if more than four years pass, you may need a smog check to reactivate it. If you no longer plan to use the vehicle, canceling the registration is cleaner than leaving it in non-use status indefinitely.