The late fee for vehicle registration in California is determined by adding a percentage of the vehicle license fee, plus a registration late fee, plus a California Highway Patrol (CHP) late fee. Please be aware that fees are subject to change, so you may want to verify with the CA DMV before making your decision. There's also an added penalty if you're more than 10 days delinquent, 30 days, one year and two years. To avoid these new penalties, prepare a payment plan and remain current on your registration each year by registering electronically where available. You can find more information on their website or by contacting them at 1-800-777-0133 – they're happy to offer options!
What happens if you don't pay your car registration on time in California?
If you're late and receive a notice of suspension or delinquency, call either 211 or 1-800-777-0133 immediately so that the department can update their records before they take any action against your vehicle. If you fail to update this information with DMV after receiving such notice, they may suspend your vehicle registration and issue a fee until all fees are satisfactorily met. Note that the Department of Motor Vehicles is required by California law to give California residents with delinquent registrations written notification.
How much is the fee for expired registration in California?
Some drivers would rather not have to worry about going to the DMV for a new license. When they renew their registration but forget or miss an annual statement, it can sometimes lead to high fees and fines. If you allow your registration to lapse, the DMV will automatically require a parking violation if a law enforcement officer stops you and issues a citation. The penalty will be for six months of expired registration at 60% of the vehicle license fee due for that year and 60% of the weight fee due for that year (if any), plus $30 for Registration late fee and $30 for CHP late free;
| If payment is late: | Percentage of vehicle license fee and weight fee | Registration late fee | CHP late fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 – 10 days* | – 10% of the vehicle license fee due for that year. – 10% of the weight fee due for that year (if any). | $10.00 | $10.00 |
| 11 – 30 days* | – 20% of the vehicle license fee due for that year. – 20% of the weight fee due for that year (if any). | $15.00 | $15.00 |
| 31 days – one year* | – 60% of the vehicle license fee due for that year. – 60% of the weight fee due for that year (if any). | $30.00 | $30.00 |
| More than one year – two years | – 80% of the vehicle license fee due for that year. – 80% of the weight fee due for that year (if any). | $50.00 | $50.00 |
| More than two years | – 160% of the vehicle license fee due for that year. – 160% of the weight fee due for that year (if any). | $100.00 | $100.00 |
80% respectively for more than one year and $30 each; and 160% for more than two years of expired registration and $100 each for CHP and Registration late fee. As such, it must be avoided at all costs!
Due process should commence as soon as one has received notification that they are overdue on their auto-registration renewal (which is typically mailed by the CA Department of Motor Vehicles).
What is the grace period for car registration in California?
People think that California has a grace period of one year from the date your license plate registration expires. This is wrong! it clearly states on the their website that quote: “The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) does not offer a grace period for paying your annual vehicle registration fees”.
We hope you have found this article helpful.
