citation: VEH § 5201

text:
(a) License plates, including temporary license plates, shall at all times be securely fastened to the vehicle for which they are issued so as to prevent the plates from swinging, shall be mounted in a position so as to be clearly visible, and so that the characters are upright and display from left to right, and shall be maintained in a condition so as to be clearly legible. The rear license plate shall be mounted not less than 12 inches nor more than 60 inches from the ground, and the front license plate shall be mounted not more than 60 inches from the ground, except as follows:

(1) The rear license plate on a tow truck or repossessor’s tow vehicle may be mounted on the left-hand side of the mast assembly at the rear of the cab of the vehicle, not less than 12 inches nor more than 90 inches from the ground.

(2) The rear license plate on a tank vehicle hauling hazardous waste, as defined in Section 25117 of the Health and Safety Code, or asphalt material may be mounted not less than 12 inches nor more than 90 inches from the ground.

(3) The rear license plate on a truck tractor may be mounted at the rear of the cab of the vehicle, but not less than 12 inches nor more than 90 inches from the ground.

(4) The rear license plate of a vehicle designed by the manufacturer for the collection and transportation of garbage, rubbish, or refuse that is used regularly for the collection and transportation of that material by a person or governmental entity employed to collect, transport, and dispose of garbage, rubbish, or refuse may be mounted not less than 12 inches nor more than 90 inches from the ground.

(5) The rear license plate on a two-axle livestock trailer may be mounted 12 inches or more, but not more than 90 inches, from the ground.

(6) (A) The rear license plate on a dump bed motortruck equipped with a trailing, load bearing swing axle shall be mounted more than 12 inches, but not more than 107 inches, from the ground.

(B) As used in this section, a trailing, load bearing swing axle is an axle which can be moved from a raised position to a position behind the vehicle that allows for the transfer of a portion of the weight of the vehicle and load to the trailing axle.

(b) Temporary license plates shall be replaced with permanent license plates upon receipt of the permanent license plates, and the temporary license plates shall be destroyed at that time.

(c) A covering shall not be used on license plates except as follows:

(1) The installation of a cover over a lawfully parked vehicle to protect it from the weather and the elements does not constitute a violation of this subdivision. A peace officer or other regularly salaried employee of a public agency designated to enforce laws, including local ordinances, relating to the parking of vehicles may temporarily remove so much of the cover as is necessary to inspect any license plate, tab, or indicia of registration on a vehicle.

(2) The installation of a license plate security cover is not a violation of this subdivision if the device does not obstruct or impair the recognition of the license plate information, including, but not limited to, the issuing state, license plate number, and registration tabs, and the cover is limited to the area directly over the top of the registration tabs. No portion of a license plate security cover shall rest over the license plate number.

(d) A casing, shield, frame, border, shade, tint, product, or other device that obstructs or impairs the reading or recognition of a license plate by an electronic device operated by state or local law enforcement, an electronic device operated in connection with a toll road, high-occupancy toll lane, toll bridge, or other toll facility, or a remote emission sensing device, as specified in Sections 44081 and 44081.6 of the Health and Safety Code, shall not be installed on, or affixed to, a vehicle.

(e) (1) It is the intent of the Legislature that an accommodation be made to persons with disabilities and to those persons who regularly transport persons with disabilities, to allow the removal and relocation of wheelchair lifts and wheelchair carriers without the necessity of removing and reattaching the vehicle’s rear license plate. Therefore, it is not a violation of this section if the reading or recognition of a rear license plate is obstructed or impaired by a wheelchair lift or wheelchair carrier and all of the following requirements are met:

(A) The owner of the vehicle has been issued a special identification license plate pursuant to Section 5007, or the person using the wheelchair that is carried on the vehicle has been issued a distinguishing placard under Section 22511.55.

(B) (i) The operator of the vehicle displays a decal, designed and issued by the department, that contains the license plate number assigned to the vehicle transporting the wheelchair.

(ii) The decal is displayed on the rear window of the vehicle, in a location determined by the department, in consultation with the Department of the California Highway Patrol, so as to be clearly visible to law enforcement.

(2) Notwithstanding any other law, if a decal is displayed pursuant to this subdivision, the requirements of this code that require the illumination of the license plate and the license plate number do not apply.

(3) The department shall adopt regulations governing the procedures for accepting and approving applications for decals, and issuing decals, authorized by this subdivision.

(4) This subdivision does not apply to a front license plate.

(f) This section shall become operative January 1, 2019.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 179, Sec. 1. (AB 1085) Effective January 1, 2026.)

article: 9. Display of Plates, Tabs, and Stickers


kind: section

code: VEH

text:
(a) A person shall not sell or manufacture a product or device in this state that obscures, or is intended to obscure, the reading or recognition of a license plate by visual means, or by an electronic device as prohibited by subdivision (c) or (d) of Section 5201.

(b) A person shall not operate a vehicle with a product or device that violates subdivision (a).

(c) A person shall not erase the reflective coating of, paint over the reflective coating of, or alter a license plate to avoid visual or electronic capture of the license plate or its characters.

(d) (1) A conviction for a violation of subdivision (a) is punishable by a fine of one thousand dollars ($1,000) per item sold or manufactured.

(2) A conviction for a violation of subdivision (b) or (c) is punishable by a fine of two hundred fifty dollars ($250) per violation.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 179, Sec. 2. (AB 1085) Effective January 1, 2026.)

path: 3. REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES AND CERTIFICATES OF TITLE > 1. Original and Renewal of Registration; Issuance of Certificates of Title > 9. Display of Plates, Tabs, and Stickers


citation: VEH § 5202

text:
(a) A license plate issued by this state or any other jurisdiction within or without the United States shall be attached upon receipt and remain attached during the period of its validity to the vehicle for which it is issued while being operated within this state or during the time the vehicle is being held for sale in this state, or until the time that a vehicle with special or identification plates is no longer entitled to those plates; and a person shall not operate, and an owner shall not knowingly permit to be operated, upon any highway, a vehicle unless the license plate is so attached. A special permit or temporary license plate issued in lieu of permanent license plates shall be attached and displayed on the vehicle for which the permit or temporary license plate was issued until the temporary license plate or the special permit expires, or the permanent license plates are received, whichever occurs first.

(b) This section shall become operative January 1, 2019.

history: (History: Repealed (in Sec. 17) and added by Stats. 2016, Ch. 90, Sec. 18. (AB 516) Effective January 1, 2017. Section operative January 1, 2019, by its own provisions.)

division: 3. REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES AND CERTIFICATES OF TITLE

chapter: 1. Original and Renewal of Registration; Issuance of Certificates of Title


citation: VEH § 5203

text: This chapter does not apply to plates which the department pursuant to law has ordered to be surrendered, transferred to another vehicle, or removed.

history: (History: Enacted by Stats. 1959, Ch. 3.)


citation: VEH § 5204

text:
(a) (1) Except as provided by subdivisions (b) and (c), a tab shall indicate the year of expiration and a tab shall indicate the month of expiration. Current month and year tabs shall be attached to the rear license plate assigned to the vehicle for the last preceding registration year in which license plates were issued, and, when so attached, the license plate with the tabs shall, for the purposes of this code, be deemed to be the license plate, except that truck tractors, and commercial motor vehicles having a declared gross vehicle weight of 10,001 pounds or more, shall display the current month and year tabs upon the front license plate assigned to the truck tractor or commercial motor vehicle. Vehicles that fail to display current month and year tabs or display expired tabs are in violation of this section.

(2) (A) (i) A violation of paragraph (1) shall not be the sole basis for any enforcement action before the second month after the month of expiration of the vehicle’s registration.

(ii) Notwithstanding clause (i), if a vehicle is stopped for any other violation of this code, enforcement action for a violation of paragraph (1) may be taken before the second month following the month of expiration.

(B) This paragraph shall be operative from July 1, 2024, to January 1, 2030, inclusive.

(b) The requirement of subdivision (a) that the tabs indicate the year and the month of expiration does not apply to fleet vehicles subject to Article 9.5 (commencing with Section 5301) or vehicles defined in Section 468.

(c) Subdivision (a) does not apply when proper application for registration has been made pursuant to Section 4602 and the new indicia of current registration have not been received from the department.

(d) This section is enforceable against any motor vehicle that is driven, moved, or left standing upon a highway, or in an offstreet public parking facility, in the same manner as provided in subdivision (a) of Section 4000.

(e) Prior to issuing a citation for a violation of this section, a law enforcement officer shall verify, using available department records, that no current registration exists for that vehicle. A citation shall not be issued for failure to comply with this section against any vehicle that has a current registration on file with the department.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 297, Sec. 2. (AB 256) Effective January 1, 2024.)


text: The department shall post on its Internet Web site, and any other appropriate online venue used by the department for public outreach, detailed instructions for motorists that describe how to prevent theft of the tabs described in Section 5204.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2016, Ch. 776, Sec. 3. (SB 773) Effective January 1, 2017.)


citation: VEH § 5205

text: The department may make appropriate rules and regulations for the use and display of stickers or devices issued in lieu of license plates, and shall publish a summary thereof.


text:
(a) (1) For purposes of implementing Section 21655.9, the department shall make available for issuance, for a fee determined by the department to be sufficient to reimburse the department for the reasonable costs incurred pursuant to this section, and pursuant to the eligibility provisions in subdivision (b), distinctive decals, labels, and other identifiers that clearly distinguish the following vehicles from other vehicles:

(A) A vehicle that meets the state’s super ultra-low emission vehicle (SULEV) standard for exhaust emissions and the federal inherently low-emission vehicle (ILEV) evaporative emission standard, as defined in Part 88 (commencing with Section 88.101-94) of Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

(B) A vehicle that was produced during the 2004 model year or earlier and meets the state’s ultra-low emission vehicle (ULEV) standard for exhaust emissions and the federal ILEV standard. A decal, label, or other identifier issued pursuant to this paragraph is valid until January 1, 2019.

(C) A vehicle that meets the state’s enhanced advanced technology partial zero-emission vehicle (enhanced AT PZEV) standard or transitional zero-emission vehicle (TZEV) standard.

(2) (A) A decal, label, or other identifier issued pursuant to subparagraph (A) or (C) of paragraph (1) before January 1, 2017, is valid until January 1, 2019.

(B) (i) A decal, label, or other identifier issued pursuant to subparagraph (A) or (C) of paragraph (1) on or after January 1, 2017, and before March 1, 2018, is valid until January 1, 2019.

(ii) A decal, label, or other identifier issued pursuant to subparagraph (A) or (C) of paragraph (1) between March 1, 2018, and January 1, 2019, is valid until January 1, 2022.

(iii) A decal, label, or other identifier issued pursuant to subparagraph (A) or (C) of paragraph (1) on or after March 1, 2018, for a vehicle that had been issued a decal, label, or other identifier pursuant to subparagraph (A) or (C) of paragraph (1) between January 1, 2017, and March 1, 2018, is valid until January 1, 2022.

(C) Except as provided in clause (iii) of subparagraph (B), a decal, label, or other identifier issued pursuant to subparagraph (A) or (C) of paragraph (1) on or after January 1, 2019, is valid until January 1 of the fourth year after the year of issuance.

(3) (A) Notwithstanding the validity timeframe specified in clause (iii) of subparagraph (B) of paragraph (2), commencing January 1, 2020, and until January 1, 2024, a decal, label, or other identifier may be issued pursuant to subparagraph (A) or (C) of paragraph (1) for a vehicle that had previously been issued a decal, label, or other identifier, and the decal, label, or other identifier shall be valid until January 1, 2024, if the applicant for the decal, label, or other identifier has a household income at or below 80 percent of the state median income, as designated by the Department of Housing and Community Development’s list of state income limits adopted pursuant to Section 50093 of the Health and Safety Code. The determination of income eligibility shall be made by a governmental or nonprofit entity selected by the department, in a format prescribed by the department.

(B) A person who obtained a decal, label, or other identifier for a vehicle prior to January 1, 2017, shall not be issued another decal, label, or other identifier pursuant to this paragraph, notwithstanding the person’s qualifying income.

(C) The department shall report to the Legislature the number of decals, labels, and other identifiers issued pursuant to this paragraph. The report shall be issued after January 1, 2023, but before June 1, 2023.

(4) Except as provided in clause (iii) of subparagraph (B) of paragraph (2) and paragraph (3), a vehicle shall not be issued a decal, label, or other identifier more than once.

(b) (1) The department shall not issue a decal, label, or other identifier to an applicant who has received a consumer rebate pursuant to the Clean Vehicle Rebate Project, established as part of the Air Quality Improvement Program pursuant to Article 3 (commencing with Section 44274) of Chapter 8.9 of Part 5 of Division 26 of the Health and Safety Code, for a vehicle purchased on or after January 1, 2018, unless the rebate was issued to a buyer whose gross annual income falls below one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) for a person who files a tax return as a single person, two hundred four thousand dollars ($204,000) for a person who files a tax return as a head of household, and three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000) for a person who files a joint tax return.

(2) The department shall collaborate with the State Air Resources Board to establish procedures to implement this subdivision, including, but not limited to, all of the following:

(A) The application form for a decal, label, or other identifier issued pursuant to this section and the application for a rebate under the Clean Vehicle Rebate Project shall include a statement indicating that the applicant cannot participate in both programs unless the applicant meets the income restrictions in paragraph (1). Each application shall require the applicant to provide a signature to confirm that the applicant understands this condition.

(B) Notify consumers of the eligibility criteria and conditions using existing education and outreach efforts.

(C) Establish appropriate compliance and enforcement measures.

(D) Establish information sharing between the department and the board to implement the requirements of this subdivision.

(c) The department shall include a summary of the provisions of this section on each motor vehicle registration renewal notice, or on a separate insert, if space is available and the summary can be included without incurring additional printing or postage costs.

(d) The Department of Transportation shall remove individual HOV lanes, or portions of those lanes, during periods of peak congestion from the access provisions provided in subdivision (a), following a finding by the Department of Transportation as follows:

(1) The lane, or portion of the lane, exceeds a level of service C, as discussed in subdivision (b) of Section 65089 of the Government Code.

(2) The operation or projected operation of the vehicles described in subdivision (a) in these lanes, or portions of those lanes, will significantly increase congestion.

(3) The finding shall also demonstrate the infeasibility of alleviating the congestion by other means, including, but not limited to, reducing the use of the lane by noneligible vehicles or further increasing vehicle occupancy.

(e) The State Air Resources Board shall publish and maintain a list of all vehicles eligible for participation in the programs described in this section. The board shall provide that list to the department.

(f) (1) For purposes of subdivision (a), the Department of the California Highway Patrol and the department, in consultation with the Department of Transportation, shall design and specify the placement of the decal, label, or other identifier on the vehicle. Each decal, label, or other identifier issued for a vehicle shall display a unique number, which shall be printed on, or affixed to, the vehicle registration.

(2) Except as provided in clause (iii) of subparagraph (B) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (a), decals, labels, or other identifiers issued pursuant to subparagraph (A) or (C) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) before January 1, 2019, shall be distinguishable from the decals, labels, or other identifiers issued on or after January 1, 2019.

(g) If the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, serving as the Bay Area Toll Authority, grants toll-free and reduced-rate passage on toll bridges under its jurisdiction to a vehicle pursuant to Section 30102.5 of the Streets and Highways Code, it shall also grant the same toll-free and reduced-rate passage to a vehicle displaying a valid identifier issued by the department pursuant to subparagraph (A) or (B) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (a).

(h) (1) Notwithstanding Section 21655.9, and except as provided in paragraph (2), a vehicle described in subdivision (a) that displays a valid decal, label, or identifier issued pursuant to this section shall be granted a toll-free or reduced-rate passage in high-occupancy toll lanes as described in Section 149.7 of the Streets and Highways Code unless prohibited by federal law.

(2) (A) Paragraph (1) does not apply to the imposition of a toll imposed for passage on a toll road or toll highway, that is not a high-occupancy toll lane as described in Section 149.7 of the Streets and Highways Code.

(B) Paragraph (1) does not apply to the imposition of a toll charged for crossing a state-owned bridge.

(i) If the Director of Transportation determines that federal law does not authorize the state to allow vehicles that are identified by distinctive decals, labels, or other identifiers on vehicles described in subdivision (a) to use highway lanes or highway access ramps for high-occupancy vehicles regardless of vehicle occupancy, the Director of Transportation shall submit a notice of that determination to the Secretary of State.

(j) This section shall become inoperative on the date the federal authorization pursuant to Section 166 of Title 23 of the United States Code expires, or the date the Secretary of State receives the notice described in subdivision (i), whichever occurs first.

(k) If this section becomes inoperative pursuant to subdivision (j) the driver of a vehicle with an otherwise valid decal, label, or other identifier issued pursuant to this section shall not be cited for a violation of Section 21655.9 within 60 days of the date that this section becomes inoperative.

(l) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2027, and as of that date is repealed.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2024, Ch. 414, Sec. 2. (AB 2678) Effective January 1, 2025. Inoperative on date prescribed in subd. (j). Repealed as of January 1, 2027, by its own provisions.)


citation: VEH § 5206

text: Vehicles for which weight fees are paid on a partial year basis shall display a certificate or insignia issued by the department, which shall state the end of the period for which the vehicle is licensed.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1981, Ch. 636, Sec. 4.)


citation: VEH § 5301

text:
(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this code and Part 5 (commencing with Section 10701) of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, the registered owner or lessee of a fleet of vehicles consisting of commercial motor vehicles base plated in the state, or passenger automobiles may, upon payment of appropriate fees, apply to the department for license plates, permanent decals, and registration cards.

(b) (1) Fleets shall consist of at least 25 motor vehicles to qualify for this program. However, the department may provide for permanent fleet registration through an association providing a combination of fleets of motor vehicles of 125 or more vehicles with no individual fleet of fewer than 25 motor vehicles.

(2) An association submitting an application of participation in the program shall provide within the overall application a listing identifying the registered owner of each fleet and the motor vehicles within each fleet. Identification of the motor vehicles as provided in this article applies to the ownership of the motor vehicles and not the association submitting the application.

(c) With the concurrence of both the department and the participant, the changes made in this section by the enactment of the Commercial Vehicle Registration Act of 2001 shall not affect those participants who were lawfully participating in the permanent fleet registration program on December 31, 2001. Any fleet that qualifies for permanent fleet registration as of December 31, 2001, will continue to count trailers to qualify as a fleet until January 1, 2007. However, five years following the implementation of the permanent trailer identification program, all participants in the permanent fleet registration program shall meet the requirements of this section in order to continue enrollment in the program described in this section.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2017, Ch. 441, Sec. 2. (AB 458) Effective January 1, 2018.)

article: 9.5. Registration of Fleet Vehicles

path: 3. REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES AND CERTIFICATES OF TITLE > 1. Original and Renewal of Registration; Issuance of Certificates of Title > 9.5. Registration of Fleet Vehicles


citation: VEH § 5302

text:
(a) Motor vehicles registered in any state other than California are not permitted to participate in this program.

(b) Section 4604 does not apply to vehicles registered under this article.

(c) The department may conduct an audit of the records of each fleet owner or lessee of the vehicle fleets electing to participate in the program. The department shall be fully reimbursed by the fleet owner or lessee for the costs of conducting the audits.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2017, Ch. 441, Sec. 3. (AB 458) Effective January 1, 2018.)

article: 9.5. Registration of Fleet Vehicles


citation: VEH § 5303

text:
(a) The applicant for initial issuance of permanent registration or renewal of registration shall file an application in such form as the department shall require.

(b) Upon initial application, the department shall issue a distinguishing license plate or decal which indicates that the vehicle has been registered under this article.

(c) Display of the distinguishing license plate or decal and registration card shall constitute prima facie evidence that the vehicle is currently registered.

history: (History: Repealed and added by Stats. 1982, Ch. 695, Sec. 2.)

article: 9.5. Registration of Fleet Vehicles


citation: VEH § 5304

text: Renewal fees shall be paid pursuant to a schedule established by the department. Submission of renewal fees by an association pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 5301 shall be specific as to each fleet and vehicle thereof covered by the renewal application.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1983, Ch. 986, Sec. 2.)

article: 9.5. Registration of Fleet Vehicles


citation: VEH § 5305

text: In addition to any other fees due for motor vehicles registered pursuant to this article, the department may charge and collect a service fee of one dollar ($1) for each fleet motor vehicle at the time the initial application is submitted to the department and at the time of registration renewal of each fleet vehicle.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2000, Ch. 861, Sec. 35. Effective September 29, 2000. Operative December 31, 2001, pursuant to Sec. 67 of Ch. 861.)

article: 9.5. Registration of Fleet Vehicles


citation: VEH § 5306

text: Upon payment of appropriate fees, the license plate or decal and registration card issued pursuant to this article for the vehicle shall remain valid until the provisions of Section 5307 have been met.

article: 9.5. Registration of Fleet Vehicles


citation: VEH § 5307

text:
(a) A fleet vehicle registered under this article may be deleted from the identified fleet when the fleet operator notifies the department of the proposed deletion on a form approved by the department and the distinguishing license plate or decal and registration card issued for the vehicle are surrendered to the department.

(b) Failure to comply with subdivision (a) will require that the payment of fees due for the registration of the vehicle shall be the responsibility of the fleet owner as though the vehicle remained part of the fleet.

(c) The fees determined to be due and owing under this article shall be a lien upon all vehicles of the applicant of a type subject to registration under this code, and the provisions of Article 6 (commencing with Section 9800) of Chapter 6 shall apply.

article: 9.5. Registration of Fleet Vehicles


citation: VEH § 5308

text: The director shall adopt procedures for initial application, payment of fees, fleet additions or deletions, and for the cancellation of the distinguishing plates or decals and registration card issued to a vehicle of a fleet owner or lessee who does not comply with this article.

article: 9.5. Registration of Fleet Vehicles


citation: VEH § 5309

text: The registration of any identified fleet vehicle is required annually.

article: 9.5. Registration of Fleet Vehicles


citation: VEH § 5350

text: The provisions of this division shall apply to trailer coaches except as otherwise provided in this article.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1981, Ch. 975, Sec. 35.)

article: 10. Registration of Trailer Coaches

path: 3. REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES AND CERTIFICATES OF TITLE > 1. Original and Renewal of Registration; Issuance of Certificates of Title > 10. Registration of Trailer Coaches


citation: VEH § 5351

text: Sections 4452, 4604, 5904, 6052, and 9254, and subdivision (a) of Section 9552 do not apply to the registration or renewal of registration of any trailer coach.

article: 10. Registration of Trailer Coaches


citation: VEH § 5352

text: Subject to the exemptions stated in Section 5353, registration of any trailer coach in this state is required annually.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1981, Ch. 975, Sec. 38.)

article: 10. Registration of Trailer Coaches


citation: VEH § 5353

text:
The registration provisions of this article shall not apply to any of the following:

(a) Any trailer coach which is driven or moved upon a highway in any of the following circumstances:

(1) In conformance with the provisions of this code relating to dealers, manufacturers, transporters, or nonresidents.

(2) Under a temporary permit issued by the department as authorized by Section 4156.

(3) Under a one-trip permit issued by the department as authorized by Section 4003 when such permit is issued to a nonresident.

(b) Any unoccupied trailer coach which is part of an inventory of trailer coaches held for sale by a manufacturer or dealer in the course of his business.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1981, Ch. 975, Sec. 39.)

article: 10. Registration of Trailer Coaches


citation: VEH § 5354

text: The registration of a foreign trailer coach owned by a nonresident shall be subject to and governed by Section 6700.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1959, Ch. 1021.)

article: 10. Registration of Trailer Coaches


citation: VEH § 5500

text:
(a) Any person, other than a licensed dismantler, desiring to disassemble a vehicle of a type required to be registered under this code, either partially or totally, with the intent to use as parts only, to reduce to scrap, or to construct another vehicle shall deliver to the department the certificate of ownership, the registration card, and the license plates last issued to the vehicle before dismantling may begin.

(b) Any person who is convicted of violating subdivision (a) shall be punished upon a first conviction by imprisonment in the county jail for not less than five days or more than six months, or by a fine of not less than fifty dollars ($50) or more than five hundred dollars ($500), or by both that fine and imprisonment; and, upon a second or any subsequent conviction, by imprisonment in the county jail for not less than 30 days or more than one year, or by a fine of not less than two hundred fifty dollars ($250) or more than one thousand dollars ($1,000), or by both that fine and imprisonment.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1985, Ch. 1022, Sec. 4.)

path: 3. REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES AND CERTIFICATES OF TITLE > 1. Original and Renewal of Registration; Issuance of Certificates of Title > 12. Surrender of Registration Documents and License Plates


citation: VEH § 5501

text: The provisions of Sections 4457, 4458, and 4459 shall not apply when a vehicle is reported for dismantling. However, any person desiring to dismantle a vehicle shall, in accordance with Section 5500 or 11520, surrender to the department the certificate of ownership, registration card, and license plate or plates last issued for the vehicle. In the event the person so reporting is unable to furnish the certificate of ownership, registration card, and license plate or plates last issued to the vehicle, or any of them, the department may receive the report and application, examine into the circumstances of the case, and may require the filing of suitable affidavits, or other information or documents. No duplicate certificate of ownership, registration card, license plate or plates will be issued when a vehicle is reported for dismantling. No fees shall be required for acceptance of any affidavit provided pursuant to this section or on account of any stolen, lost or damaged certificate, card, plate or plates or duplicates thereof, unless the vehicle is subsequently registered in accordance with Section 11519.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1983, Ch. 1286, Sec. 21.)

article: 12. Surrender of Registration Documents and License Plates


citation: VEH § 5505

text:
(a) This section applies to any vehicle reported to be a total loss salvage vehicle pursuant to Section 11515 and to any vehicle reported for dismantling pursuant to Section 5500 or 11520.

(b) Whenever an application is made to the Department of Motor Vehicles to register a vehicle described in subdivision (a), that department shall inspect the vehicle to determine its proper identity or request that the inspection be performed by the Department of the California Highway Patrol. An inspection by the Department of Motor Vehicles shall not preclude that department from referring the vehicle to the Department of the California Highway Patrol for an additional inspection if deemed necessary.

(c) The Department of the California Highway Patrol shall inspect, on a random basis, those vehicles described in subdivision (a) that have been presented to the Department of Motor Vehicles for registration after completion of the reconstruction process to determine the proper identity of those vehicles. The vehicle being presented for inspection shall be a complete vehicle, in legal operating condition. If the vehicle was originally manufactured with a “supplemental restraint system” as defined in Section 593, the reconstructed vehicle shall also be equipped with a supplemental restraint system in good working order that meets applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards and conforms to the manufacturer’s specifications for that vehicle. The inspection conducted pursuant to this subdivision shall be a comprehensive, vehicle identification number inspection.

(d) A salvage vehicle rebuilder, as defined in Section 543.5, or other individual in possession of a vehicle described in subdivision (a), who is submitting the vehicle for registration as described in subdivision (b), shall have available, and shall present upon demand of the Department of the California Highway Patrol, bills of sale, invoices, or other acceptable proof of ownership of component parts, and invoices for minor component parts. Additionally, bills of sale and invoices shall include the year, make, model, and the vehicle identification number of the vehicle from which the parts were removed or sold, the name and signature of the person from whom the parts were acquired, and his or her address, and telephone number. To assist in the identification of the seller of new or used parts, the number of the seller’s driver’s license, identification card, social security card, or Federal Employer Identification Number shall be provided by the seller to the buyer on the bills of sale and invoice. The seller of a salvage vehicle, or the agent of the seller, shall inform the purchaser of the vehicle that ownership documentation for certain replacement parts used in the repair of the vehicle will be required in the inspection required under this section.

(e) As used in this section, the term “component parts for passenger motor vehicles” includes supplemental restraint systems, the cowl or firewall, front-end assembly, rear clip, including the roof panel, the roof panel when installed separately, and the frame or any portion thereof, or in the case of a unitized body, the supporting structure that serves as the frame, each door, the hood, each fender or quarter panel, deck lid or hatchback, each bumper, both T-tops, replacement transmissions or transaxles, and a replacement motor.

(1) As used in this subdivision, “front-end assembly” includes all of the following: hood, fenders, bumper, and radiator supporting members for these items. For vehicles with a unitized body, the front-end assembly also includes the frame support members.

(2) As used in this subdivision, “rear clip” includes the roof, quarter panels, trunk lid, floor pan, and the support members for each item.

(f) As used in this section, “major component parts for trucks, truck-type or bus-type vehicles” includes the cab, the frame or any portion thereof, and, in the case of a unitized body, the supporting structure which serves as a frame, the cargo compartment floor panel or passenger compartment floor pan, roof panel, and replacement transmissions or transaxles, and replacement motors, each door, hood, each fender or quarter panel, each bumper, and the tailgate. All component parts identified in subdivision (e), common to a truck, truck-type or bus-type vehicle, not listed in this section, shall be considered as included in this section if the part is replaced.

(1) “Major component parts for motorcycles” includes the engine or motor, transmission or transaxle, frame, front fork, and crankcase.

(2) “Minor component parts for motorcycles” includes the fairing and any other body molding.

(g) If the vehicle identification number, year, make, or model required under subdivision (d) cannot be determined, the Department of the California Highway Patrol may accept, in lieu of that information, a certification on a form provided by that department, signed by the person submitting the vehicle for inspection, that the part was not obtained by means of theft or fraud.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2002, Ch. 670, Sec. 7. Effective January 1, 2003.)


citation: VEH § 5506

text: No salvage vehicle rebuilder may resell or transfer ownership of any vehicle that is subject to inspection as provided in Section 5505, unless either a certificate of inspection issued by the Department of the California Highway Patrol, or vehicle verification form completed by an authorized employee of the Department of Motor Vehicles is provided to the buyer upon sale or transfer. Responsibility for compliance with this section shall rest with the salvage vehicle rebuilder selling or transferring the vehicle. This section shall not apply to a salvage vehicle rebuilder who has applied for and received a title in accordance with Section 5505.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2002, Ch. 670, Sec. 8. Effective January 1, 2003.)


citation: VEH § 5600

text:
(a) No transfer of the title or any interest in or to a vehicle registered under this code shall pass, and any attempted transfer shall not be effective, until the parties thereto have fulfilled either of the following requirements:

(1) The transferor has made proper endorsement and delivery of the certificate of ownership to the transferee as provided in this code and the transferee has delivered to the department or has placed the certificate in the United States mail addressed to the department when and as required under this code with the proper transfer fee, together with the amount required to be paid under Part 1 (commencing with Section 6001), Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code with respect to the use by the transferee of the vehicle, and thereby makes application for a transfer of registration except as otherwise provided in Sections 5905, 5906, 5907, and 5908.

(2) The transferor has delivered to the department or has placed in the United States mail addressed to the department the appropriate documents for the registration or transfer of registration of the vehicle pursuant to the sale or transfer except as provided in Section 5602.

(b) Whenever a person transfers ownership of a vehicle and is required to disclose the mileage of the vehicle, the department may prescribe a secured form to be used for purposes of the odometer mileage disclosure requirements pursuant to subsection (a) of Section 32705 of Title 49 of the United States Code.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2000, Ch. 1035, Sec. 10. Effective January 1, 2001.)

chapter: 2. Transfers of Title or Interest

article: 1. Procedure to Transfer

path: 3. REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES AND CERTIFICATES OF TITLE > 2. Transfers of Title or Interest > 1. Procedure to Transfer


text:
Ownership of title to a vehicle subject to registration may be transferred to two (or more) coowners as transferee to be held provided in Section 682 of the Civil Code, except that:

(a) A vehicle may be registered in the names of two (or more) persons as coowners in the alternative by the use of the word “or.” A vehicle so registered in the alternative shall be deemed to be held in joint tenancy. Each coowner shall be deemed to have granted to the other coowners the absolute right to dispose of the title and interest in the vehicle. Upon the death of a coowner the interest of the decedent shall pass to the survivor as though title or interest in the vehicle was held in joint tenancy unless a contrary intention is set forth in writing upon the request for transfer of registration.

(b) A vehicle may be registered in the names of two (or more) persons as coowners in the alternative by the use of the word “or” and if declared in writing upon the application for a transfer of registration by the applicants to be community property, or tenancy in common, shall grant to each coowner the absolute power to transfer the title or interest of the other coowners only during the lifetime of such coowners.

(c) A vehicle may be registered in the names of two (or more) persons as coowners in the conjunctive by the use of the word “and” and shall thereafter require the signature of each coowner or his personal representative to transfer title to the vehicle, except where title to the vehicle is set forth in joint tenancy, the signature of each coowner or his personal representative shall be required only during the lifetime of the coowners, and upon death of a coowner title shall pass to the surviving coowner.

(d) The department may adopt suitable abbreviations to appear upon the certificate of registration and certificate of ownership to designate the manner in which the interest in or title to the vehicle is held if set forth by the coowners upon the application for transfer of registration.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1965, Ch. 891.)

article: 1. Procedure to Transfer


citation: VEH § 5601

text: Section 5600 does not apply to involuntary transfers, as upon the taking of possession by a secured party under a security agreement, or to transfers involving the creation of security interests subject to Chapter 3, commencing at Section 6300.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1963, Ch. 819.)

article: 1. Procedure to Transfer


citation: VEH § 5602

text:
An owner who has made a bona fide sale or transfer of a vehicle and has delivered possession of the vehicle to a purchaser is not, by reason of any of the provisions of this code, the owner of the vehicle so as to be subject to civil liability or criminal liability for the parking, abandoning, or operation of the vehicle thereafter by another when the selling or transferring owner, in addition to that delivery and that bona fide sale or transfer, has fulfilled either of the following requirements:

(a) He or she has made proper endorsement and delivery of the certificate of ownership as provided in this code.

(b) He or she has delivered to the department or has placed in the United States mail, addressed to the department, either of the following documents:

(1) The notice as provided in subdivision (b) of Section 4456 or Section 5900 or 5901.

(2) The appropriate documents and fees for registration of the vehicle to the new owner pursuant to the sale or transfer.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1994, Ch. 180, Sec. 6. Effective July 11, 1994.)

article: 1. Procedure to Transfer


citation: VEH § 5603

text: A legal owner may assign his title or interest in or to a vehicle registered under this code to a person other than the owner without the consent of and without affecting the interest of the owner.

history: (History: Enacted by Stats. 1959, Ch. 3.)

article: 1. Procedure to Transfer


citation: VEH § 5604

text:
Every dealer who, upon transferring by sale, lease, or otherwise, any new or used vehicle of a type subject to registration, requires the transferee to insure the vehicle, and every lending agency which, as the holder of any security interest in the vehicle, requires its obligor to insure the vehicle, shall, if the required insurance policy is obtained by the dealer or lending agency and the policy does not insure the transferee or obligor against damages resulting from ownership or operation of the vehicle arising by reason of personal injury or death of any person, or from injury to property, notify the transferee or obligor of that fact in writing on a document other than the insurance policy. The document shall be in duplicate and signed by the transferee or obligor.

If the required insurance policy is obtained by the dealer or lending agency because of the failure or refusal of the transferee or obligor to furnish or renew insurance in accordance with the terms of the contract of sale or the security agreement, and the policy does not insure the transferee or obligor against damages resulting from ownership or operation of the vehicle arising by reason of personal injury or death of any person, or from injury to property, the dealer or lending agency shall notify the transferee or obligor that the policy obtained does not insure the transferee or obligor for liability from any claims. The notice shall be made in writing on a document other than the insurance policy, or the declaration page attached to the policy, and shall be mailed, with postage paid and properly addressed, to the transferee or obligor within 30 days of obtaining the policy.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1988, Ch. 1407, Sec. 1.)

article: 1. Procedure to Transfer


text:
(a) Every dealer who, upon transferring by sale, lease, or otherwise, any new or used vehicle of a type subject to registration, requires the transferee to insure the motor vehicle shall, if the required insurance policy is sold by that dealer at the time of the transfer and the policy does not insure the transferee against damages resulting from ownership or operation of the vehicle arising by reason of personal injury or death of any person, or from damage to property, notify the transferee of that fact in writing on a document other than the insurance policy. The document shall be signed by the transferee and an exact copy shall be furnished to the transferee by the dealer at the time of signature.

(b) The document required under subdivision (a) shall contain a notice in English and Spanish in at least 10-point type that reads as follows:

“INSURANCE WARNING

The motor vehicle physical damage insurance policy you are buying does not allow you to legally drive on the streets of California. Generally, in order to legally drive on the streets of California, you must either purchase a type of insurance called “liability insurance” or deposit a bond with the Department of Motor Vehicles. If you drive this or any other motor vehicle without liability insurance or a bond, a police officer may request evidence of liability insurance or a bond at the time of a traffic stop. If you do not have evidence of liability insurance or a bond during a traffic stop, the fines can be from several hundreds of dollars to an amount that exceeds $1,000. If you get into an accident and do not have liability insurance or a bond, you will lose your driver’s license for one year. If you cause the accident and do not have liability insurance or a bond, you may have to pay the injured person yourself and these costs may be substantial.

Liability insurance as well as the insurance needed to obtain a loan for your motor vehicle may be purchased through a licensed insurance agent or broker. The price for both types of insurance may be more or less than the price for the insurance you are being offered by the dealer. The State of California advises you to shop for insurance because prices may vary substantially.

I have read this notice and understand that I am about to buy a type of insurance that is available elsewhere and that does not allow me to drive the motor vehicle legally on the streets of California.

I also understand that if I drive on the streets of California without liability insurance or a bond, then I may be subject to severe financial penalties, including fines and personal payment for any damage to others that I may cause while driving.(Spanish translation of the above text to be developed by the Department of Motor Vehicles and to be inserted below the above English version text) Dated: Signed: ”(c) The department shall also make available a translation of the Insurance Warning notice set forth in subdivision (b) in any of the languages used in the most recent statewide voter pamphlet.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2000, Ch. 455, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2001.)

article: 1. Procedure to Transfer


citation: VEH § 5750

text: Upon transfer of the title or any interest of the legal owner or owners in a vehicle registered under this code, the transferor shall write his signature, and the transferee shall write his signature and address, in the appropriate spaces provided on the certificate of ownership issued for the vehicle.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1967, Ch. 723.)

path: 3. REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES AND CERTIFICATES OF TITLE > 2. Transfers of Title or Interest > 2. Endorsement and Delivery of Documents


citation: VEH § 5751

text: Upon transfer of the title or interest of the registered owner only in a vehicle registered under this code, the registered owner shall write his signature and address and the transferee shall write his signature and address in the appropriate spaces provided on the certificate of ownership for the vehicle, and the legal owner shall write his signature in the space provided for the new legal owner indicating that he is to retain his legal title and interest.

article: 2. Endorsement and Delivery of Documents


text:
(a) Upon transfer of the title or interest of the registered owner of a motor vehicle that is subject to Part 5 (commencing with Section 43000) of Division 26 of the Health and Safety Code, if no certificate of compliance or certificate of noncompliance is submitted to the department pursuant to the exemptions described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of Section 4000.1, the transferor of that vehicle shall sign and deliver to the transferee, upon completion of the transaction, the original copy of a statement, under penalty of perjury, that he or she has not modified the emissions system of the vehicle and does not have any personal knowledge of anyone else modifying the system in a manner that causes the emission system to fail to qualify for the issuance of a certificate of compliance pursuant to Section 44015 of the Health and Safety Code. The transferor shall keep a duplicate copy of the statement delivered to the transferee pursuant to this section. The department shall prescribe and make available to transferors the necessary forms to comply with this subdivision.

(b) Any form prescribed by the department pursuant to subdivision (a) shall contain the following statement and a space for the signatures of the transferor and transferee at the end of the statement:

“WARNING TO THE BUYER

“A valid certificate of compliance was submitted to the Department of Motor Vehicles with an application for the renewal of registration of this vehicle. If an application for transfer is submitted to the department within the 90-day validity period of the smog certification, no new smog certification will be required. However, at present, you may be purchasing a vehicle that may not be in compliance with specified emission standards.

“By signing this statement, you acknowledge that the seller is not required to provide you with an additional certificate of compliance prior to the completion of this transaction.

“You may have this vehicle tested at a licensed smog check station prior to completion of this transaction to verify compliance. If the vehicle passes the test, you shall be responsible for the costs of the test. If the vehicle fails the test, the seller is obligated to reimburse you the cost of having the vehicle tested and, without expense to you, must have the vehicle repaired to comply with specified emission standards prior to completion of this transaction.(Transferor)(Date)(Transferee) (Date)”

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2004, Ch. 650, Sec. 7. Effective January 1, 2005.)


citation: VEH § 5752

text:
(a) When the required certificate of ownership is lost, stolen, damaged, or mutilated, the application for transfer may be made upon a form provided by the department for a duplicate certificate of ownership. The transferor shall write his or her signature and address in the appropriate spaces provided upon the application and file the same together with the proper fees for duplicate certificate of ownership and transfer. The application shall also include, if applicable, the notorized signature of the lienholder.

(b) An insurance company or its agent is exempt from the notarized signature requirement of subdivision (a) and may apply, upon a form provided by the department, for a duplicate certificate of ownership and transfer of ownership to the insurance company, if all of the following occur:

(1) The insurance company or its agent obtains from the lienholder a document to verify satisfaction of the lien.

(2) The insurance company has paid a total loss claim for the vehicle.

(3) A lienholder is indicated on the department’s records.

(4) The certificate of ownership is lost, stolen, damaged, or mutilated.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1996, Ch. 451, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 1997.)


citation: VEH § 5753

text:
(a) It is unlawful for any person to fail or neglect properly to endorse, date, and deliver the certificate of ownership and, when having possession, to deliver the registration card to a transferee who is lawfully entitled to a transfer of registration.

(b) Except when the certificate of ownership is demanded in writing by a purchaser, a vehicle dealer licensed under this code shall satisfy the delivery requirement of this section by submitting appropriate documents and fees to the department for transfer of registration in accordance with Sections 5906 and 4456 of this code and rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

(c) (1) Within 15 business days after receiving payment in full for the satisfaction of a security interest and a written instrument signed by the grantor of the security interest designating the transferee and authorizing release of the legal owner’s interest, the legal owner shall release its security interest and mail, transmit, or deliver the vehicle’s certificate of ownership to the transferee who, due to satisfaction of the security interest, is lawfully entitled to the transfer of legal ownership.

(2) If a lease provides a lessee with the option to purchase the leased vehicle, within 15 business days after receiving payment in full for the purchase, and all documents necessary to effect the transfer, the lessor shall mail, transmit, or deliver the vehicle’s certificate of ownership to the transferee, who, due to purchase of the vehicle, is lawfully entitled to the transfer of legal ownership.

(d) The certificate of ownership delivered pursuant to subdivision (c) shall be signed by the legal owner or lessor to reflect release of the legal owner’s interest or transfer of the lessor’s interest in the vehicle or accompanied by a form provided by the department to accomplish the same result and signed by the legal owner or lessor. If the legal owner or lessor is not in possession or control of the certificate of ownership, the legal owner or lessor shall, within the time provided in subdivision (c) for the mailing, transmittal, or delivery of the certificate of ownership, take any action required by the department to release the legal owner’s security interest or transfer the lessor’s interest in the vehicle and within that time shall mail, transmit, or deliver written notice of its taking that action to the transferee.

(e) A legal owner or lessor that fails to satisfy the requirements of subdivisions (c) and (d), shall, without offset or reduction, pay the transferee twenty-five dollars ($25) per day for each day that the requirements of subdivisions (c) and (d) remain unsatisfied, not to exceed a maximum payment of two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500). If the legal owner or lessor fails to pay this amount within 60 days following written demand by the transferee, the amount shall be trebled, not to exceed a maximum payment of seven thousand five hundred dollars ($7,500), and the transferee shall be entitled to costs and reasonable attorneys fees incurred in any court action brought to collect the payment. The right to recover these payments is cumulative with and is not in substitution or derogation of any remedy otherwise available at law or equity.

(f) A legal owner, upon written request of the transferee, shall disclose any pertinent information regarding the amount of payment and the documents necessary to release the obligation secured by the legal owner’s interest.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2003, Ch. 151, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2004.)


citation: VEH § 5900

text:
(a) Whenever the owner of a vehicle registered under this code sells or transfers his or her title or interest in, and delivers the possession of, the vehicle to another, the owner shall, within five calendar days, notify the department of the sale or transfer giving the date thereof, the name and address of the owner and of the transferee, and the description of the vehicle that is required in the appropriate form provided for that purpose by the department.

(b) Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (c), pursuant to subsection (a) of Section 32705 of Title 49 of the United States Code, the owner shall also notify the department of the actual mileage of the vehicle as indicated by the vehicle’s odometer at the time of sale or transfer. However, if the vehicle owner has knowledge that the mileage displayed on the odometer is incorrect, the owner shall indicate on the appropriate form the true mileage, if known, of the vehicle at the time of sale or transfer.

Providing false or inaccurate mileage is not a violation of this subdivision unless it is done with the intent to defraud.

(c) If the registered owner is not in possession of the vehicle that is sold or transferred, the person in physical possession of that vehicle shall give the notice required by subdivisions (a) and (b). If the registered owner sells or transfers the vehicle through a dealer conducting a wholesale motor vehicle auction, the owner shall furnish the information required by subdivisions (a) and (b) to that dealer.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2000, Ch. 1035, Sec. 11. Effective January 1, 2001.)

article: 3. Notice and Application

path: 3. REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES AND CERTIFICATES OF TITLE > 2. Transfers of Title or Interest > 3. Notice and Application


citation: VEH § 5901

text:
(a) Every dealer or lessor-retailer, upon transferring by sale, lease, or otherwise any vehicle, whether new or used, of a type subject to registration under this code, shall, not later than the end of the fifth calendar day thereafter not counting the day of sale, give notice of the transfer to the department electronically in a manner approved by the department.

(b) Except as otherwise provided in this subdivision or in subdivision (c), the dealer or lessor-retailer shall enter on the form and pursuant to Section 32705(a) of Title 49 of the United States Code, on the ownership certificate, the actual mileage of the vehicle as indicated by the vehicle’s odometer at the time of the transfer. However, if the vehicle dealer or lessor-retailer has knowledge that the mileage displayed on the odometer is incorrect, the licensee shall indicate on the form on which the mileage is entered that the mileage registered by the odometer is incorrect. A vehicle dealer or lessor-retailer need not give the notice when selling or transferring a new unregistered vehicle to a dealer or lessor-retailer.

(c) When the dealer or lessor-retailer is not in possession of the vehicle that is sold or transferred, the person in physical possession of the vehicle shall give the information required by subdivision (b).

(d) A sale is deemed completed and consummated when the purchaser of the vehicle has paid the purchase price, or, in lieu thereof, has signed a purchase contract or security agreement, and has taken physical possession or delivery of the vehicle.

(e) This section shall become operative January 1, 2019.

history: (History: Repealed (in Sec. 19) and added by Stats. 2016, Ch. 90, Sec. 20. (AB 516) Effective January 1, 2017. Section operative January 1, 2019, by its own provisions.)

article: 3. Notice and Application


citation: VEH § 5902

text: Whenever any person has received as transferee a properly endorsed certificate of ownership, that person shall, within 10 days thereafter, forward the certificate with the proper transfer fee to the department and thereby make application for a transfer of registration. The certificate of ownership shall contain a space for the applicant’s driver’s license or identification card number, and the applicant shall furnish that number, if any, in the space provided.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2001, Ch. 826, Sec. 18. Effective January 1, 2002.)

article: 3. Notice and Application


text:
(a) If an application for a registration transaction is filed with the department during the 30 days immediately preceding the date of expiration of registration of the vehicle, the application shall be accompanied by the full renewal fees for the ensuing registration year in addition to any other fees that are due and payable.

(b) The requirements of subdivision (a) shall not apply if the expiration of registration occurs on or after July 1, 2011. This subdivision shall become inoperative on January 1, 2012.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2011, Ch. 21, Sec. 5. (SB 94) Effective May 4, 2011.)

article: 3. Notice and Application


citation: VEH § 5903

text: When the department receives a copy of the judgment of abandonment and evidence of sale as specified in Section 798.61 of the Civil Code, the department shall transfer the registration of the trailer coach or recreational vehicle which has been deemed abandoned pursuant to that section, or reregister the trailer coach or vehicle under a new registration number, and issue a new certificate of ownership and registration card to the person or persons presenting the copy of the judgment of abandonment and evidence of sale to the department.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1991, Ch. 564, Sec. 2.)

article: 3. Notice and Application


citation: VEH § 5904

text: Whenever the ownership of any vehicle for which a certificate of ownership has been issued without registration under Section 4452 is transferred, an application for transfer shall be made as provided in this chapter.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1961, Ch. 58.)

article: 3. Notice and Application


citation: VEH § 5905

text: When a security interest upon a registered vehicle is satisfied, canceled, or released by the parties thereto duly registered as owner and legal owner respectively and thereafter within a period of 10 days a new security agreement covering the vehicle is executed between the same parties, no application for transfer of registration by reason thereof shall be made and no new certificate of ownership or registration card shall be issued, and all provisions of this code relating to transfers of any title or interest in a vehicle and the registration of the transfers shall be deemed to have been fully complied with, and the new security agreement shall be deemed perfected at the time the new security agreement is executed.

article: 3. Notice and Application


citation: VEH § 5906

text: When the transferee of a vehicle is a dealer who holds the same for resale and operates or moves the same upon the highways under special plates, the dealer is not required to make application for transfer, but upon transferring his title or interest to another person he shall comply with this division.

article: 3. Notice and Application


text:
(a) Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (b), in the case of any transfer, including, but not limited to, a transfer resulting from a sale, lease, gift, or auction, of a vehicle under 6,001 pounds, manufacturer’s maximum gross weight rating, where no application for transfer is required, the person making such transfer, or his authorized representative, shall sign and shall record on the document evidencing the transfer of the vehicle the actual mileage of the vehicle as indicated by the vehicle’s odometer at the time of the transfer. However, if the person making the transfer, or his authorized representative, has knowledge that the mileage displayed on the odometer is incorrect, such person shall record on the document the true mileage, if known, of the vehicle at the time of transfer.

(b) Whenever the person making such transfer is not in possession of the vehicle that is transferred, the person in physical possession of such vehicle shall provide the information required by subdivision (a).

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1978, Ch. 797.)

article: 3. Notice and Application


citation: VEH § 5907

text: A secured party who holds a security interest in a registered vehicle that constitutes inventory as defined in the Uniform Commercial Code, who has possession of the certificate of ownership issued for that vehicle, if the certificate of ownership has been issued, need not make application for a transfer of registration and the Uniform Commercial Code shall exclusively control the validity and perfection of that security interest. This section does not apply to the extent that subdivisions (a) to (c), inclusive, of Section 9311 of the Uniform Commercial Code apply to a security interest, because the transaction is not described in subdivision (d) of Section 9311 of that code.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2003, Ch. 235, Sec. 9. Effective January 1, 2004.)

article: 3. Notice and Application


citation: VEH § 5908

text: The transferee of a security interest in a registered vehicle need not make application for a transfer of registration when the interest of such transferee arises from a transfer of a security agreement or a lease agreement by the legal owner to the transferee to secure payment or performance of an obligation, and the Uniform Commercial Code shall exclusively control the validity and perfection of such a security interest.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1963, Ch. 819.)

article: 3. Notice and Application


citation: VEH § 5909

text:
(a) Whenever the title or interest of any owner or legal owner in or to a vehicle registered under this code passes to another otherwise than by voluntary transfer the new owner or legal owner may obtain a transfer of registration upon application therefor and upon presentation of the last certificate of ownership and registration card issued for the vehicle, if available, and any instruments or documents of authority or certified copies thereof as may be required by the department, or required by law, to evidence or effect a transfer of title or interest in or to chattels in such case.

(b) The department when satisfied of the genuineness and regularity of the transfer shall give notice by mail to the owner and legal owner of the vehicle as shown by the records of the department and five days after the giving of the notice, if still satisfied of the genuineness and regularity of such transfer, shall transfer the registration of the vehicle accordingly. Such notice shall not be required for a transfer described in Section 5601.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1969, Ch. 384.)

article: 3. Notice and Application


citation: VEH § 5910

text:
(a) Upon the death of an owner or legal owner of a vehicle registered under this code, without the decedent leaving other property necessitating probate, and irrespective of the value of the vehicle, the following person or persons may secure transfer of registration of the title or interest of the decedent:

(1) The sole person or all of the persons who succeeded to the property of the decedent under Sections 6401 and 6402 of the Probate Code unless the vehicle is, by will, otherwise bequeathed.

(2) The sole beneficiary or all of the beneficiaries who succeeded to the vehicle under the will of the decedent where the vehicle is, by will, so bequeathed.

(b) The person authorized by subdivision (a) may secure a transfer of registration of the title or interest of the decedent upon presenting to the department all of the following:

(1) The appropriate certificate of ownership and registration card, if available.

(2) A certificate of the heir or beneficiary under penalty of perjury containing the following statements:

(A) The date and place of the decedent’s death.

(B) The decedent left no other property necessitating probate and no probate proceeding is now being or has been conducted in this state for the decedent’s estate.

(C) The declarant is entitled to the vehicle either (i) as the sole person or all of the persons who succeeded to the property of the decedent under Sections 6401 and 6402 of the Probate Code if the decedent left no will or (ii) as the beneficiary or beneficiaries under the decedent’s last will if the decedent left a will, and no one has a right to the decedent’s vehicle that is superior to that of the declarant.

(D) There are no unsecured creditors of the decedent or, if there are, the unsecured creditors of the decedent have been paid in full or their claims have been otherwise discharged.

(3) If required by the department, a certificate of the death of the decedent.

(4) If required by the department, the names and addresses of any other heirs or beneficiaries.

(c) If the department is presented with the documents specified in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (b), no liability shall be incurred by the department or any officer or employee of the department by reason of the transfer of registration of the vehicle pursuant to this section. The department or officer or employee of the department may rely in good faith on the statements in the certificate specified in paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) and has no duty to inquire into the truth of any statement in the certificate. The person who secures the transfer of the vehicle pursuant to this section is subject to the provisions of Sections 13109 to 13113, inclusive, of the Probate Code to the same extent as a person to whom transfer of property is made under Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 13100) of Part 1 of Division 8 of the Probate Code.

(d) The department may prescribe a combined form for use under this section and Section 9916.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1986, Ch. 783, Sec. 26. Operative July 1, 1987, by Sec. 30 of Ch. 783.)

article: 3. Notice and Application


text:
(a) On death of the owner of a vehicle owned in beneficiary form, the vehicle belongs to the surviving beneficiary, if any. If there is no surviving beneficiary, the vehicle belongs to the estate of the deceased owner or of the last coowner to die.

(b) A certificate of ownership in beneficiary form may be revoked or the beneficiary changed at any time before the death of the owner by either of the following methods:

(1) By sale of the vehicle with proper assignment and delivery of the certificate of ownership to another person.

(2) By application for a new certificate of ownership without designation of a beneficiary or with the designation of a different beneficiary.

(c) Except as provided in subdivision (b), designation of a beneficiary in a certificate of ownership issued in beneficiary form may not be changed or revoked by will, by any other instrument, by a change of circumstances, or otherwise.

(d) The beneficiary’s interest in the vehicle at death of the owner is subject to any contract of sale, assignment, or security interest to which the owner was subject during his or her lifetime.

(e) The surviving beneficiary may secure a transfer of ownership for the vehicle upon presenting to the department all of the following:

(1) The appropriate certificate of ownership.

(2) A certificate under penalty of perjury stating the date and place of the owner’s death and that the declarant is entitled to the vehicle as the designated beneficiary.

(3) If required by the department, a certificate of the death of the owner.

(f) After the death of the owner, the surviving beneficiary may transfer his or her interest in the vehicle to another person without securing transfer of ownership into his or her own name by appropriately signing the certificate of ownership for the vehicle and delivering the document to the transferee for forwarding to the department with appropriate fees. The transferee may secure a transfer of ownership upon presenting to the department (1) the certificate of ownership signed by the beneficiary, (2) the certificate described in paragraph (2) of subdivision (e) executed by the beneficiary under penalty of perjury; and (3) if required by the department, a certificate of death of the owner.

(g) A transfer at death pursuant to this section is effective by reason of this section, and shall not be deemed to be a testamentary disposition of property. The right of the designated beneficiary to the vehicle shall not be denied, abridged, or affected on the grounds that the right has not been created by a writing executed in accordance with the laws of this state prescribing the requirements to effect a valid testamentary disposition of property.

(h) A transfer at death pursuant to this section is subject to Section 9653 of the Probate Code.

(i) If there is no surviving beneficiary, the person or persons described in Section 5910 may secure transfer of the vehicle as provided in that section.

(j) The department may prescribe forms for use pursuant to this section.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1991, Ch. 1055, Sec. 59. Operative January 1, 1993, by Sec. 64 of Ch. 1055.)

article: 3. Notice and Application


text:
(a) If the department makes a transfer pursuant to Section 5910.5, the department is discharged from all liability, whether or not the transfer is consistent with the beneficial ownership of the vehicle transferred.

(b) The protection provided by subdivision (a) does not extend to a transfer made after the department has been served with a court order restraining the transfer. No other notice or information shown to have been available to the department shall affect its right to the protection afforded by subdivision (a).

(c) The protection provided by this section has no bearing on the rights of parties in disputes between themselves or their successors concerning the beneficial ownership of the vehicle.

(d) The protection provided by this section is in addition to, and not exclusive of, any other protection provided to the department by any other provision of law.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1991, Ch. 1055, Sec. 60. Operative January 1, 1993, by Sec. 64 of Ch. 1055.)

article: 3. Notice and Application


citation: VEH § 5911

text: Whenever application is made to the department for a transfer of registration of a vehicle to a new owner or legal owner and the applicant is unable to present the certificate of ownership issued for the vehicle by reason of the same being lost or otherwise not available, the department may receive the application and examine into the circumstances of the case and may require the filing of certifications or other information, and when the department is satisfied that the applicant is entitled to a transfer of registration the department may transfer the registration of the vehicle, or reregister the vehicle under a new registration number, and issue a new certificate of ownership and registration card to the person or persons found to be entitled thereto. The department, however, shall not issue a new certificate of ownership and registration card to the applicant if the department has received notice by registered or certified mail in which it is indicated that the existing ownership certificate is being held for nonpayment of the vehicle. The notice may be forwarded by the registered owner, recorded lienholder, or by a person exempted from recording ownership by Section 5906.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1988, Ch. 1268, Sec. 6.)

article: 3. Notice and Application


citation: VEH § 5912

text: Whenever application is made to the department for a transfer of registration of a vehicle to a new owner or legal owner and the applicant is unable to present the registration card issued for the vehicle by reason of the same being in the possession of the department upon an application for renewal of registration, the department may transfer the registration of such vehicle upon production of the properly endorsed certificate of ownership to the vehicle and a temporary receipt upon a form prescribed by the department and containing such information as the department shall deem necessary, including, but not limited to, the license number assigned to the vehicle for the ensuing registration year, the amount of the fees payable upon renewal of registration, and the vehicle identification number of the vehicle.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1973, Ch. 889.)

article: 3. Notice and Application


citation: VEH § 6050

text:
(a) The department upon receipt of a properly endorsed certificate of ownership and the required fee shall reregister the vehicle under its registration number in the name of the new owner and new legal owner, if any, and shall issue a new registration card and certificate of ownership as provided upon an original registration.

(b) The department shall not issue a new registration card and certificate of ownership pursuant to subdivision (a) on a vehicle that has been issued a nonrepairable vehicle certificate pursuant to Section 11515.2.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1994, Ch. 1008, Sec. 10. Effective January 1, 1995. Operative July 1, 1995, by Sec. 19 of Ch. 1008.)

article: 4. Transfer by Department

path: 3. REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES AND CERTIFICATES OF TITLE > 2. Transfers of Title or Interest > 4. Transfer by Department


citation: VEH § 6051

text: If the application for a transfer is made in the manner provided in this code the department shall not be required to withhold the transfer of any right, title, or interest in or to a vehicle if the application on its face appears to be genuine and regular and the department has received neither a request from any law enforcement agency that action on the application be deferred nor an order of a court of the United States or of the State of California restraining the transfer within two years prior thereto.

history: (History: Enacted by Stats. 1959, Ch. 3.)

article: 4. Transfer by Department


citation: VEH § 6052

text: When application is made for transfer of the ownership of a vehicle for which a certificate of ownership has been issued without registration, upon payment of registration, transfer, and other fees required by law, the department shall issue the usual certificate of ownership and registration card unless the vehicle is not to be operated on the highways and the new owner submits an affidavit satisfactory to the department as to those facts required by subdivision (b) of Section 4452, in which case the new certificate of title and facsimile thereof may be issued as provided for in that section.

article: 4. Transfer by Department


citation: VEH § 6100

text:
(a) A dealer who conducts a wholesale motor vehicle auction and reports the sale of the vehicle in the manner prescribed in subdivision (b) of Section 4456 shall include the phrase “SOLD THROUGH [name of dealer conducting the auction]” and the date of the auction on the certificate of title of every vehicle sold, in a manner prescribed by the department.

(b) This section shall become operative January 1, 2019.

history: (History: Repealed (in Sec. 21) and added by Stats. 2016, Ch. 90, Sec. 22. (AB 516) Effective January 1, 2017. Section operative January 1, 2019, by its own provisions.)

article: 5. Transfers Through Wholesale Auctions

path: 3. REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES AND CERTIFICATES OF TITLE > 2. Transfers of Title or Interest > 5. Transfers Through Wholesale Auctions


citation: VEH § 6102

text:
For each vehicle sold pursuant to this article, the dealer who conducts the auction shall maintain a copy of the following documents for a period of not less than five years:

(a) The form required by subdivision (b) of Section 4456.

(b) A copy of the auction sales agreement.

(c) A copy of the odometer statement required by Section 5900.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1994, Ch. 180, Sec. 9. Effective July 11, 1994.)

article: 5. Transfers Through Wholesale Auctions


citation: VEH § 6104

text: Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a dealer who purchases a vehicle pursuant to this article has the same rights and remedies against the dealer who conducts the auction sale as if that dealer were an owner and seller of the auctioned vehicle. The purchaser dealer’s rights and remedies are in addition to any right or remedy he or she may have against the seller of a vehicle sold at a wholesale motor vehicle auction. The provisions of this section may not be waived or modified by agreement, or by recharacterization of the transaction.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1992, Ch. 745, Sec. 6. Effective January 1, 1993. Section operative July 1, 1993, pursuant to Section 6105.)

article: 5. Transfers Through Wholesale Auctions


citation: VEH § 6105

text: This article shall become operative on July 1, 1993.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1992, Ch. 745, Sec. 6. Effective January 1, 1993. Note: This section prescribes a delayed operative date (July 1, 1993) for Article 5, commencing with Section 6100.)

article: 5. Transfers Through Wholesale Auctions


citation: VEH § 6150

text: In any criminal proceeding in which ownership, possession, or use of a motor vehicle is an issue, a copy certified by the department as its record of title on file, or with the official custodian of those documents of another state, shall be admissible as evidence of ownership of the motor vehicle. Upon the introduction of evidence that the legal owner of a motor vehicle is not named in the certificate of title or that use or possession was with the consent or authority of the owner, a reasonable continuance shall be granted any party to enable the owner of the vehicle to be brought into court to testify.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1994, Ch. 1247, Sec. 6. Effective January 1, 1995.)

chapter: 2.5. Miscellaneous Title Provisions

article: 1. Certificate of Title as Evidence

path: 3. REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES AND CERTIFICATES OF TITLE > 2.5. Miscellaneous Title Provisions > 1. Certificate of Title as Evidence


citation: VEH § 6151

text: A party to a proceeding described in Section 6150 may provide notice to the opposing party that a showing of need will be made at the arraignment or at any other pretrial hearing, and upon the proof of that notice and the showing of need, the court shall take testimony from the owner or person in control of the motor vehicle which shall be admissible at trial.

article: 1. Certificate of Title as Evidence


citation: VEH § 6152

text: At any hearing, including, but not limited to, a scheduled trial date, involving a proceeding described in Section 6150, upon a showing of need, the court shall order as a condition of granting a continuance that the testimony of a witness then present in court be taken and preserved for subsequent use at a trial or any other stage of the proceeding.

article: 1. Certificate of Title as Evidence


citation: VEH § 6153

text: Where testimony is taken and preserved for use at trial or other stage of the proceeding pursuant to Sections 6151 and 6152, the witness shall be examined in open court by the party on whose behalf he or she is present, and the adverse party shall have the right of cross-examination.

article: 1. Certificate of Title as Evidence


citation: VEH § 6154

text: If any provision of this act or the application thereof to any person or circumstances is held invalid, that invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of the act which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this act are severable.

article: 1. Certificate of Title as Evidence


citation: VEH § 6160

text: The Legislature finds and declares that when vehicles are exported and their title records are not amended to reflect exportation, it is conducive to vehicle theft and insurance fraud. The certificates of title issued by this state are used in insurance frauds in which a claimant falsely states that a vehicle has been stolen or uses that certificate to fraudulently procure insurance when in fact the vehicle has previously been exported from the United States. In the interest of the general welfare of the people of this state, and in order to combat vehicle theft and insurance fraud, it is necessary that the department’s record of title reflect the fact that a vehicle is being exported either temporarily or permanently, based upon the true owner’s declaration prior to exportation.

path: 3. REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES AND CERTIFICATES OF TITLE > 2.5. Miscellaneous Title Provisions > 2. Inspection and Cancellation of Titles for Exported Vehicles


citation: VEH § 6161

text:
For the purposes of this chapter, the following provisions and definitions apply to the following terms:

(a) “Certified record of permanent exportation” shall include all of the following:

(1) The titled owner’s name and address.

(2) A description of the vehicle, including year, make, body type, vehicle identification number, license registration number, and state registration.

(3) The destination of vehicle.

(4) The purpose of export, whether sale, lease, or personal use.

(b) “Declaration that the vehicle will not be permanently located outside the United States” shall include the items specified in paragraphs (1) to (3), inclusive, of subdivision (a), and shall also state the period of time for which it is anticipated that the vehicle will be outside the United States.

(c) “Export” means the shipping or transporting of a vehicle out of the United States by means other than its own power or that of a vehicle drawing or towing it.

(d) “Owner” means the owner of record indicated in a certificate of title issued by this state and includes an agent of that owner acting under a valid power of attorney executed by an owner.

(e) “Title” means the certificate of ownership issued by the department pursuant to Section 4450, but excludes a salvage certificate, as described in Section 11515, a nonrepairable vehicle certificate, as defined in Section 432, and an acquisition bill of sale, as described in Section 11519.

(f) “Vehicle” means every device designed for transportation of persons or property upon land, for which a certificate of title is required.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1994, Ch. 1008, Sec. 11. Effective January 1, 1995. See similar section (except for subd. (e)) added by Stats. 1994, Ch. 1247.)

article: 2. Inspection and Cancellation of Titles for Exported Vehicles


text:
For the purposes of this act, the term:

(a) “Certified record of permanent exportation” shall include the following:

(1) Titled owner’s name and address.

(2) Description of the vehicle, including year, make, body type, vehicle identification number, license registration number, and state registration.

(3) Destination of vehicle.

(4) Purpose of export, whether sale, lease, or personal use.

(b) “Declaration that the vehicle will not be permanently located outside the United States” shall include the items specified in paragraphs (1) to (3), inclusive, of subdivision (a), and shall also state the period of time for which it is anticipated that the vehicle will be outside the United States.

(c) “Export” means the shipping or transporting of a vehicle out of the United States by means other than its own power or that of a vehicle drawing or towing it.

(d) “Owner” means the owner of record indicated in a certificate of title issued by this state and includes an agent of that owner acting under a valid power of attorney executed by an owner.

(e) “Title” means the certificate of ownership issued by the department pursuant to Section 4450, but excludes a salvage certificate as described in Section 11515 and an acquisition bill of sale as described in Section 11519.

(f) “Vehicle” means every device designed for transportation of persons or property upon land, for which a certificate of title is required.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1994, Ch. 1247, Sec. 6. Effective January 1, 1995. See similar section (except for subd. (e)) added by Stats. 1994, Ch. 1008.)


citation: VEH § 6162

text: An owner of a vehicle who seeks to export a vehicle titled in this state shall appear at the department with the certificate of title to ascertain whether there are any liens of record outstanding and whether the person exporting the vehicle is the lawful owner. If the certificate of title is found to be in proper order and no unsatisfied lien appears, the department shall enter into its record of title that the vehicle is intended for permanent exportation from the United States. If the owner certifies by filing a declaration with the department that the vehicle will not be permanently located outside the United States, and that he or she intends to return the vehicle to the United States, the department shall enter into its record of title a declaration that the vehicle will not be permanently located outside the United States until notification by the owner that the vehicle has been returned.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1995, Ch. 91, Sec. 173. Effective January 1, 1996.)


citation: VEH § 6171

text: When criminal charges have been filed involving a motor vehicle alleged to have been stolen and the vehicle is in the custody of a peace officer for evidentiary purposes, it shall be held in custody or, if a request for its release from custody is made, until the prosecutor has notified the defendant or his or her attorney of that request and both the prosecution and defense have been afforded a reasonable opportunity for an examination of the motor vehicle to determine its true value and to produce or reproduce, by photographs or other identifying techniques, legally sufficient evidence for introduction at trial or other criminal proceedings.

path: 3. REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES AND CERTIFICATES OF TITLE > 2.5. Miscellaneous Title Provisions > 3. Return of Stolen Motor Vehicle Retained as Evidence


citation: VEH § 6172

text: Upon expiration of a reasonable time for the completion of the examination, which in no event shall exceed 30 days from the date of service of the notice of request or return of the motor vehicle as provided in Section 6171, the property shall be released to the person making that request after satisfactory proof of the person’s entitlement to the possession. Notwithstanding the foregoing, upon ex parte application by either party with notice to the other, the court may grant additional time for the examination or order retention of the motor vehicle if it determines that either is necessary to further the interests of justice; however, this provision shall not be construed to require a noticed hearing.

article: 3. Return of Stolen Motor Vehicle Retained as Evidence


citation: VEH § 6300

text: Except as provided in Sections 5905, 5907, and 5908, no security interest in any vehicle registered under this code, irrespective of whether the registration was effected prior or subsequent to the creation of the security interest, is perfected until the secured party or his or her successor or assignee has deposited, either physically or by electronic transmission pursuant to Section 1801.1, with the department, at its office in Sacramento, or at any other office as may be designated by the director, a properly endorsed certificate of ownership to the vehicle subject to the security interest showing the secured party as legal owner if the vehicle is then registered under this code, or, if the vehicle is not so registered, an application in usual form for an original registration, together with an application for registration of the secured party as legal owner, and upon payment of the fees as provided in this code.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1996, Ch. 440, Sec. 6. Effective January 1, 1997.)

path: 3. REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES AND CERTIFICATES OF TITLE > 3. Filing Instruments Evidencing Liens or Encumbrances


citation: VEH § 6301

text: When the secured party, his or her successor, or his or her assignee, has deposited, either physically or by electronic transmission pursuant to Section 1801.1, with the department a properly endorsed certificate of ownership showing the secured party as legal owner or an application in usual form for an original registration, together with an application for registration of the secured party as legal owner, the deposit constitutes perfection of the security interest and the rights of all persons in the vehicle shall be subject to the provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code, but the vehicle subject to the security interest shall be subject to a lien for services and materials as provided in Chapter 6.5 (commencing with Section 3068) of Title 14 of Part 4 of Division 3 of the Civil Code.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1996, Ch. 440, Sec. 7. Effective January 1, 1997.)

chapter: 3. Filing Instruments Evidencing Liens or Encumbrances


citation: VEH § 6302

text: Upon the deposit of an application for registration of a secured party as legal owner and upon the payment of the fees as provided in this code, the department shall register the secured party, his successor or assignee as legal owner in the manner provided for the registration of motor vehicles under the provisions of this chapter.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1963, Ch. 819.)


citation: VEH § 6303

text: Except as provided in Sections 5905, 5907 and 5908, the method provided in this chapter for perfecting a security interest on a vehicle registered under this code is exclusive, but the effect of such perfection, and the creation, attachment, priority and validity of such security interest shall be governed by the Uniform Commercial Code.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1963, Ch. 819.)


citation: VEH § 6700

text:
(a) Except as provided in Section 6700.2, the owner of any vehicle of a type otherwise subject to registration under this code, other than a commercial vehicle registered in a foreign jurisdiction, may operate the vehicle in this state until gainful employment is accepted in this state or until residency is established in this state, whichever occurs first, if the vehicle displays valid license plates and has a valid registration issued to the owner, and the owner was a resident of that state at the time of issuance. Application to register the vehicle shall be made within 20 days after gainful employment is accepted in this state or residency is established in this state.

(b) A nonresident owner of a vehicle, otherwise exempt from registration pursuant to this section or Section 6700.2, may operate or permit operation of the vehicle in this state without registering the vehicle in this state if the vehicle is registered in the place of residence of the owner and displays upon it valid license plates issued by that place. This exemption does not apply if the nonresident owner rents, leases, lends, or otherwise furnishes the vehicle to a California resident for regular use on the highways of this state, as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 4000.4.

(c) Any resident who operates upon a highway of this state a vehicle owned by a nonresident who furnished the vehicle to the resident operator for his or her regular use within this state, as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 4000.4, shall cause the vehicle to be registered in California within 20 days after its first operation within this state by the resident.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2003, Ch. 594, Sec. 30. Effective January 1, 2004.)

chapter: 4. Permits to Nonresident Owners

article: 1. Exemption of Nonresidents

path: 3. REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES AND CERTIFICATES OF TITLE > 4. Permits to Nonresident Owners > 1. Exemption of Nonresidents