COVID-19: CA's Extension of DMV Deadlines

On April 23, 2020, Governor Newsom issued an executive order extending DMV deadlines. Below is a summary of the key provisions and other relevant announcements from the DMV. [1]

• If your vehicle registration expired between March 16, 2020 and May 31, 2020 and is paid within 60 days of the original expiration date:
  • → no late fees or penalties will be applied.
• If your registration expired between March 4, 2020 and June 30, 2020:
  • → you do not need a current registration sticker on your vehicle and you cannot be cited for expired registration.
• If your registration expired between September 4, 2019 and January 1, 2020:
  • → your vehicle cannot be towed for registration expired in excess of six months until June 30, 2020.

• If your identification card expires on or after March 4, 2020:
  • → it is valid through June 22, 2020.
• If your driver license expires between March 2020 and May 2020:
  • → it is valid through May 31, 2020. The DMV is allowing more people to renew online.
• If you are 70 years or older and your driver license expired between March 2020 and May 2020:
  • → it is automatically extended 120 days.
• If your commercial driver license expires between March 2020 and June 2020:
  • → it is valid through June 30, 2020.

• If your temporary operating permit expires on or after March 4, 2020:
  • → it is valid through June 22, 2020.

• If your motor carrier permit expires between March 2020 and May 2020:
  • → it is valid through June 30, 2020.

• The requirement to submit a transfer ownership within 10 days of the vehicle transfer:
  • → is suspended until June 22, 2020 for transfers occurring on or after March 4, 2020.
• The requirement to register an out-of-state vehicle within 20 days of registration becoming due:
  • → is suspended until June 22, 2020.

Learn more at DMV.CA.GOV

1) The provisions of Vehicle Code section 34620, subdivisions (a) and (b), and California Code of Regulations, Title 13, sections 220.00, subdivision (i) and 220.04, requiring current Motor Carrier Property Permits, are suspended through June 30, 2020. This suspension is applicable to permits that expired on March, 31, 2020, through June 30, 2020.

2) The timeframe set forth in Vehicle Code section 13002, and accompanying regulations, pertaining to the expiration of identification cards, is suspended for a period of 60 days. This suspension is applicable to identification cards that expired on or after March 4, 2020, or will expire within 60 days from the date of this Order.

3) The timeframe set forth in Vehicle Code section 4156, subdivision (b), pertaining to temporary permits, is suspended for a period of 60 days. This suspension is applicable to temporary permits that expired on or after March 4, 2020, or will expire within 60 days from the date of this Order.

4) For vehicle registrations that expire between the dates of March 16, 2020, and May 31, 2020, the requirements in Vehicle Code sections 4603, 9552, 9553, and 9554, and any accompanying regulations, pertaining to the timing and imposition of late fees or other penalties that may accrue as a result of a registrant’s failure to timely submit an application for renewal of vehicle registration, are waived provided the applicant timely submits an application for renewal accompanied by payment within 60 days following the original date of expiration.

5) The provisions of Vehicle Code sections 4000(a)(1) and 5204(a) pertaining to the registration and registration display requirements for vehicles operated upon a highway are hereby suspended until June 30, 2020. This suspension is applicable to registrations expired on or after March 4, 2020 and before June 30, 2020. Additionally, until June 30, 2020, vehicles with registration expiring between September 4, 2019, and January 1, 2020, are exempt from the associated storage authority outlined in Vehicle Code section 22651(o)(1)(a).

6) The timeframe set forth in Vehicle Code section 5902, within which a transferee of a vehicle must forward a certificate of ownership and apply for a transfer of registration, is suspended for a period of 60 days from the date of this Order. This suspension is applicable to transfers that occurred on or after March 4, 2020.

7) The timeframe set forth in Vehicle Code section 4152.5, governing the registration of vehicles previously registered in a foreign jurisdiction, is suspended for a period of 60 days.