California Car Insurance News

California Vehicle Registration Penalty

The penalties when paying annual renewal registration fees late.

California does not offer a grace period after your vehicle's registration expiration date. Be sure to pay your renewal fees on or before the date of expiration shown on your current registration card or the California vehicle registration penalty will be due in accordance with Vehicle Code Sections 9552 - 9554. The longer you delay payment of fees, the greater the California vehicle registration penalty amount will be.

Even though your plates display only the month and year, your registration expires on a specific day. Be sure to check the registration card for the actual day of expiration.

If you do not receive a billing notice approximately 60 days before your vehicle's registration expires, please call 1-800-777-0133 to find out what your fees are.

Use the following information to determine how renewal penalties are calculated. Penalty fees are assessed in addition to any other fees due.

California vehicle registration penalty for renewal applications.

If payment is late: The penalty will be the sum of:
1-10 days* Registration Fee Penalty for Renewal Applications
10% of the Vehicle License Fee due for that year
10% of the Weight Fee due for that year, if any
11-30 days* Registration Fee Penalty for Renewal Applications
20% of the Vehicle License Fee due for that year
20% of the Weight Fee due for that year, if any
31 days-1 year* Registration Fee Penalty for Renewal Applications
60% of the Vehicle License Fee due for that year
60% of the Weight Fee due for that year, if any
More than 1 year-2 years Registration Fee Penalty for Renewal Applications
80% of the Vehicle License Fee due for that year
80% of the Weight Fee due for that year, if any
More than 2 years Registration Fee Penalty for Renewal Applications
160% of the Vehicle License Fee due for that year
160% of the Weight Fee due for that year, if any
* A Planned Non-Operation may be filed up to 90 days after the registration expiration date if the vehicle was not operated in any manner, but appropriate late penalties are due as shown above.

Fees due prior to January 1, 2003, are assessed penalties using the following information:

80% for more than 1 year to 2 years
160% for more than 2 years

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