Vehicle Registration Update

Vehicle owners with registration renewal dates between July 1, 2011 and December 31, 2011 are being provided a 30-day grace period from the expiration date before late payment penalties are imposed NOTE: The billing notice has not been adjusted to reflect the grace period. Instead, a special insert included with the billing notice indicates that penalties will not be imposed until the 31st day after the expiration date. At that point in time, the penalties are calculated at the regular penalty rate of 60%.

Fee changes include:

· Vehicle License Fee rate decreased from 1.15% to 0.65%, and,

· A $12 increase in the registration fee (from $34 to $46).

Customers are encouraged to utilize the renewal by mail or online Internet renewal program to renew their registration. These alternative service delivery options will automatically waive late fees for first 30 days after expiration date. New registration cards and stickers will be issued as quickly as possible. NOTE: If customers were unaware of the 30-day grace period and included penalty fees in their mailed payment that are not due, DMV will automatically refund the overpayment. Please allow 3-4 weeks for the refund to be processed.

Law enforcement is aware and will not cite vehicles until the first day of the second month after the vehicle registration expires. For example: A vehicle with a registration expiration date of July 10th would not be cited for delinquent registration prior to September 1, 2011

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/newsrel/newsrel11/julyrenewals.htm