California registration renews every year or two, depending on your vehicle type and when you last registered

California sends you a renewal notice 60 days before your registration expires. The notice shows your renewal date, the amount due, and your renewal options. You can renew online through the DMV website, by mail, or in person at a DMV office. Most people renew online because it takes 10 minutes and you get your new registration when ready.

Your registration sticker goes on your license plate. When you renew, you receive a new sticker with the current year and month. The DMV mails the sticker to you after you complete the renewal, or you can pick it up at an office the same day if you renew in person.

The cost depends on your vehicle's value, weight, and age. A newer sedan typically costs $250 to $350 per year. Trucks and SUVs cost more. The DMV calculates the exact amount and shows it on your renewal notice.

Key Takeaways

  • You will receive a renewal notice in the mail 60 days before your registration expires; the notice shows the exact amount due and your renewal important date.
  • Online renewal through the DMV website is the fastest option and takes about 10 minutes, with your new registration available when ready.
  • You must renew before the expiration date on your current registration, or you risk a fine and cannot legally drive the vehicle.
  • If you renew in person at a DMV office, you can receive your new sticker the same day; by mail or online, the sticker arrives within two weeks.
  • Your vehicle must pass a smog check in most California counties before you can renew, unless it is exempt by age or type.

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, driver's license or ID, and a payment method (debit card, credit card, or electronic check). The system asks you to confirm your vehicle information, current address, and whether anything has changed since your last registration.

After you submit payment, the DMV sends you a confirmation email with your new registration number. Your registration sticker arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days. You can drive legally during this time as long as your old sticker is still valid. Once the new sticker arrives, remove the old one and place the new sticker in the lower right corner of your rear license plate.

If you do not have your renewal notice, you can still renew online by entering your license plate number and vehicle identification number (VIN). The system will pull up your registration record and show you what is due.

Renewing by mail or at a DMV office

To renew by mail, sign the renewal notice and mail it with your payment to the address printed on the form. Include a check or money order — the DMV does not accept credit cards by mail. Your new sticker arrives within 2 to 3 weeks. This method is slower but works if you prefer not to go online or to an office.

To renew in person, visit any DMV office with your renewal notice, driver's license or ID, and payment method. Bring your vehicle registration card as well. An employee will verify your information, process your payment, and print your new sticker on the spot. You can leave the office with your new registration and explore the sticker to your plate when ready. Wait times at DMV offices vary by location and time of day; visiting early in the morning or on a weekday typically means a shorter wait.

Smog check requirements before renewal

Most California counties require a smog check before you renew your registration. Your vehicle must pass the test within 30 days before you submit your renewal. The smog check station gives you a certificate showing the results, and you need this certificate to complete your renewal online or by mail.

Vehicles are exempt from smog checks if they are model year 1975 or older, electric, or have been registered as a classic car. Diesel vehicles registered after January 1, 2010 also have different smog check rules. If you are unsure whether your vehicle needs a smog check, the DMV website has a tool where you enter your vehicle information and it tells you whether one is required.

If your vehicle fails the smog check, you have 30 days to repair it and retest. You cannot renew your registration until you pass. Some repair shops offer free or reduced-cost repairs for low-income vehicle owners; ask the smog check station for referrals in your area.

What happens if your registration expires

Driving with an expired registration is illegal in California. If you are stopped by law enforcement, you can receive a citation and fine. The fine starts at $250 and increases if you do not renew within a certain time. If your registration has been expired for more than 6 months, you may have to pay a penalty fee in addition to the renewal cost.

If you miss your renewal date, renew as soon as possible. You can still renew online, by mail, or in person using the same process. The DMV will calculate any penalty fees owed and add them to your renewal cost. If your registration has been expired for a very long time (typically more than a year), you may need to visit a DMV office in person rather than renewing online.

Late renewal and penalty fees

If you renew after your registration expires, the DMV charges a late penalty in addition to the standard renewal fee. The penalty is typically $50 to $100 depending on how long your registration has been expired. You pay this penalty only once, when you renew.

If your registration has been expired for 6 months or longer, you may also be required to pass a smog check again, even if you recently passed one. This is because the DMV treats very late renewals as a new registration in some cases. Check your renewal notice or call the DMV to confirm what you need before you renew.

Changing your address or vehicle information during renewal

If you moved, changed your name, or made changes to your vehicle, you can update this information when you renew. Online, the renewal form asks whether anything has changed and gives you fields to enter new information. By mail, write the changes on your renewal notice before you send it. In person, tell the DMV employee about the changes and they will update your record.

If you changed your address, make sure the DMV has your current mailing address so your renewal notice reaches you next year. If you made major changes to your vehicle (such as adding a trailer or changing the engine), you may need to provide documentation. The DMV will tell you if additional documents are needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my registration if my smog check failed?

No. You must repair your vehicle and pass the smog check before you can renew. Once you have a passing certificate, you can complete your renewal online, by mail, or in person. If you need help paying for repairs, some counties offer information programs for low-income vehicle owners.

What if I did not receive my renewal notice?

You can still renew online by entering your license plate number and VIN on the DMV website. You can also visit a DMV office and ask an employee to look up your registration. If your address changed and the notice went to an old address, update your address with the DMV as soon as possible so future notices reach you.

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

The sticker arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days. You can legally drive with your old sticker until the new one arrives. If you renew in person at a DMV office, you receive the sticker when ready and can explore it to your plate the same day.

Can I renew my registration if it has been expired for over a year?

Yes, but you may need to visit a DMV office in person rather than renewing online. The DMV treats very late renewals differently and may require additional steps or documents. Call the DMV or visit an office to find out what you need before you attempt to renew.

Do I have to renew in person, or can I always renew online or by mail?

Most people can renew online or by mail without visiting an office. You must visit in person only if your registration has been expired for a very long time, if you need to make major changes to your vehicle record, or if you want your sticker the same day. Otherwise, online and mail renewal are available to all vehicle owners.