What You Need to Know Before You Start

California sends you a renewal notice 60 days before your registration expires. You can renew online through the DMV website, by mail, or in person at a DMV office. Online renewal takes about 10 minutes and costs less than the other methods because you avoid a service fee. Your registration renewal is due on the date printed on your notice — not the date you receive it.

You cannot renew if your vehicle has an outstanding smog check failure, unpaid parking tickets, or a lien on the title. If any of these explore, you must resolve them first. The DMV will tell you which issue is blocking renewal when you attempt to renew online or call the DMV customer service line at 1-800-777-0133.

Key Takeaways

  • The DMV mails a renewal notice 60 days before expiration; renewing online is faster and cheaper than renewing by mail or in person.
  • You need your renewal notice number, vehicle identification number (VIN), and current odometer reading to renew online.
  • Smog check failures, unpaid parking tickets, and title liens will block renewal until you resolve them.
  • Online renewal costs less because you avoid the $1.50 service fee charged for mail and in-person renewals.
  • If your registration has already expired, you can still renew online, but you may face a late fee depending on how long it has been expired.

Renewing Online Through the DMV Website

Go to dmv.ca.gov and select "Renew Vehicle Registration" from the home page. You will need your renewal notice, which contains a reference number the system requires. If you cannot find your notice, you can still renew using your VIN and driver's license number instead.

Enter your vehicle information, current odometer reading, and confirm your address. The system will calculate the renewal fee based on your vehicle's value and weight. Pay by credit card, debit card, or electronic check. You will receive a confirmation number when ready, and your new registration card will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days.

If the system tells you that renewal is not available, it means one of the blocking issues applies to your vehicle. The error message will specify which one. You must clear that issue before you can proceed. For smog check failures, you need to pass a retest at a STAR station. For parking tickets, contact the city or county that issued them. For a lien, contact your lender or the lienholder listed on your title.

Renewing by Mail

Use the renewal notice the DMV sent you. Fill out the back of the notice with your current odometer reading and sign it. Include a check or money order for the renewal fee (the notice shows the amount) plus a $1.50 service fee. Mail everything to the address printed on the notice.

Processing by mail takes 4 to 6 weeks from the date the DMV receives your envelope. Do not mail your renewal notice more than 60 days before the expiration date, because the DMV cannot process it early. If your registration will expire before your renewal arrives, you risk a late fee. Mail renewal is slower and more expensive than online renewal, so use it only if you do not have internet access or prefer not to renew online.

Renewing in Person at a DMV Office

Bring your renewal notice, a valid ID, and proof of current California insurance. You can also bring your vehicle registration card instead of the renewal notice if you have it. Walk-in service is available at most DMV offices, but wait times vary. You can check current wait times on the DMV website before you go.

The DMV will verify your information, collect your odometer reading, and process your payment. You will pay the renewal fee plus a $1.50 service fee. Your new registration card will be mailed to you within 7 to 10 business days. In-person renewal is useful if you need to update your address, change your vehicle information, or if the online system rejected your renewal for a reason you want to discuss with a DMV representative.

What Happens If Your Registration Has Already Expired

You can still renew online or by mail after the expiration date. However, you will owe a late fee in addition to the regular renewal fee. The late fee depends on how long your registration has been expired. If it expired fewer than 60 days ago, the late fee is $10. If it expired 60 days to one year ago, the late fee is $20. If it expired more than one year ago, you cannot renew by mail or online — you must renew in person at a DMV office.

Driving with an expired registration can result in a traffic citation. If you are stopped by law enforcement, tell the officer that you have renewed or are in the process of renewing. Bring proof of your renewal (a confirmation number from online renewal, a receipt from in-person renewal, or a tracking number from mail renewal) if you are stopped before your new card arrives.

Understanding the Renewal Fee

California registration fees are based on your vehicle's value and weight. The DMV calculates the value using the manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) when the vehicle was new, adjusted downward each year. Heavier vehicles pay higher fees. The renewal notice shows your specific fee before you pay.

Some vehicles pay a different fee structure. Electric vehicles registered before January 1, 2020, pay a reduced fee. Vehicles registered as classic cars, motorcycles, or trailers have their own fee schedules. If you believe your fee is incorrect, you can dispute it by calling the DMV at 1-800-777-0133 or visiting a DMV office with your renewal notice and vehicle title.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my registration if I just moved to California?

If you moved from another state, you must register your vehicle in California within 20 days of establishing residency. You cannot renew an out-of-state registration through the California DMV. You will need to complete a new registration instead, which requires your out-of-state title, proof of insurance, and proof of residency. Visit a DMV office or go to dmv.ca.gov for new registration instructions.

What if I lost my renewal notice?

You can renew online without the notice by using your VIN and driver's license number. If you prefer to renew by mail, call the DMV at 1-800-777-0133 and request a duplicate renewal notice. They will mail it to you, which adds 5 to 7 days to the process. In-person renewal does not require the notice if you bring your vehicle registration card and a valid ID.

Do I need a smog check to renew?

Most vehicles need a smog check every two years. The renewal notice will tell you whether a smog check is required for your vehicle. If it is required and you have not completed one, you cannot renew until you pass the test at a STAR station. If you failed a smog check, you must pass a retest before renewal is available. Smog checks cost between $30 and $50 depending on the station.

How long does my new registration card take to arrive?

After you renew online or in person, your new registration card arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days. Mail renewal takes 4 to 6 weeks from the date the DMV receives your envelope. You can drive legally with your old card until the new one arrives. If your card does not arrive within the expected timeframe, call the DMV to confirm they received and processed your renewal.

Can I renew someone else's vehicle registration?

You can renew online or by mail on behalf of someone else if you have their renewal notice and can provide their vehicle information. In person, the registered owner or a person with power of attorney must be present. If you are renewing for a business vehicle, bring documentation showing you are authorized to act on behalf of the business.