Frequently Asked Questions FAQ
- Vehicle registration and title questions
- Driver license and identification (ID) card questions
- Dishonored Payments/Franchise Tax Board Collections
- Watercraft registration and title questions
- General information questions
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Driver Safety questions
- Medical conditions and traffic safety
- Drivers who may no longer have the skill to drive safely
- Arrest for driving under the influence (DUI)
- DUI arrest: DMV administrative hearing vs criminal court trials
- Driver Safety administrative hearings
- Governing procedures for driver safety actions
- Subpoenas for DMV hearings
- Occupational Licensing questions
- Motor Carrier Permit questions
Vehicle Registration and Title Questions
- Where can I locate information regarding the Vehicle License Fee Increase?
- What do I need when buying or selling a vehicle (changing vehicle ownership)?
- What part of my annual vehicle registration fee may be deducted on my income tax?
- How do I notify DMV of my change of address?
- How do I report a vehicle with out-of-state registration that belongs to a California resident?
- How do I report a vehicle with expired California registration?
- What do I need for a new, out-of-state or vehicle never registered in California?
- What do I need to do if I'm Moving Out-of-State?
- Can I ride my mini-motorcycle (pocket bike) on California's streets and highways?
- Does my motorized scooter need to be registered?
- What are the smog requirements?
- How do I make corrections, or get replacement certificates/plates/stickers?
- How do I find out about fees due, refunds, or penalties?
- What should I do if I mailed in my renewal fees several weeks ago but my check hasn't cleared?
- What insurance do I need?
- Can I register a vehicle if I'm a minor and do not possess a driver's license?
- How do I apply for a disabled person parking placard or plates?
- What are personalized and special interest license plates?
- How do I apply for personalized and special interest license plates?
- What vehicles are subject to off-road registration?
- How do I find out about salvage, junked, lemons, or abandoned vehicles?
- What should I do if I haven't received my stickers and registration card for renewal?
- How do I do a lien sale?
- How do I find the legal owner? (e.g., bank, credit union and financial/lending institutions)
- What is the Electronic Lien and Title (ELT) Program?
- Can I do online bill payment through my bank to the DMV?
- What is required when a vehicle is to be exported?
Driver License and Identification (ID) Card Questions
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Provisional Driver Permit and License for Persons Under 18
- How do I apply for a provisional permit if I am under 18?
- What are the provisional driver license restrictions during my first year?
- How do I apply for a motorcycle or moped driver license if I am under 18?
- Who can sign for my permit or license if I'm under 18? What does it mean when they sign for me?
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Information Changes, Renewals, and Duplicates for Driver Licenses or ID Cards
- How do I notify DMV of a change of address?
- How do I change my name on my driver license and/or ID card?
- What is an ID card?
- How do I apply for or renew my ID card?
- How do I renew my instruction permit?
- How do I renew my driver license in person?
- How do I renew my driver license by mail?
- How do I renew my driver license by Internet?
- What documentation is acceptable to get a duplicate driver license or to replace a lost/stolen ID card?
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Application Requirements and Acceptable Forms of Payment
- What do I need to do to get my driver's license if I fail the driving test on all three tries?
- What documents can I use to verify my birth date and legal presence?
- Do I need my social security number (SSN)?
- How does DMV check my vision?
- What are the alternative methods for completing the driver license written examination?
- What other languages is the written or audio test available in?
- Who can sign for my permit or license if I'm under 18? What does it mean when they sign for me?
- What medical report do I need for a Commercial License?
- What methods of payment are acceptable for DMV services?
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Request for Information Letter from DMV
- What do I do if I get a Request for Verification of Information letter from DMV?
- What if my social security number on the letter is incorrect?
- What if my birth date on the letter is incorrect?
- What if my name has changed or I notice an error in my name?
- Why is the Request for Verification of Information letter generated?
- How do I change my name and/or birth date with the Social Security Administration ?
- What happens after I make the necessary correction to my name, birth date, or social security number?
- When did DMV start verifying information electronically with the Social Security Administration?
Watercraft Registration and Title Questions
- What vessels must be registered?
- How do I register my vessel?
- What must I do when I sell my vessel?
- What is the difference between a documented and undocumented?
- Are there property taxes?
- What if I lose the certificates or stickers?
General Questions
- What can I do to shorten or eliminate a visit to DMV?
- How do I notify DMV of my change of address?
- How do I change my name on my driver license and/or ID card?
- What is an international driving permit or international driver license?
- What can I do if I'm in the military and away from home? What about my spouse and/or dependents?
- How do I get a copy of my DMV driving record?
- How do I get a copy of someone else's driver license, ID card, vehicle or vessel record?
- How do I file a complaint when I believe someone has illegally accessed my DMV record?
- How long does DMV report actions or convictions on driver license records?
- How long does DMV keep records on vehicles and watercraft?
- How do I prevent my DMV information from being released?
- Can I obtain residence address for process serving purposes and small claim actions?
- I qualify for residence address confidentiality. How do I request confidentiality of my residence address?
- When am I required to report an accident to DMV?
- I was in a reportable accident. How do I get information on the other party?
- How do I find a driving under influence (DUI) program?
- What is a negligent operator violation point count?
- What are the common vehicle code violations used in negligent operator violation counts?
- What is a mature driver course and can I get an insurance discount?
- Can I register to vote at DMV?
- I ride a bicycle. Where can I find information about bicycle rules and safety?
- How do I order DMV handbooks in large quantities?
- How do I order DMV forms in large quantities?
- What laws for 2012 may affect me?
Driver Safety Questions
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Medical Conditions and Traffic Safety
- What can DMV do about a person who may be unable to drive safely due to a physical or mental condition or disorder?
- What types of medical conditions can affect a person's ability to drive safely?
- How does DMV find out about persons who may be unsafe to drive due to a physical or mental condition or disorder?
- How do I let DMV know about a family member, relative, or acquaintance whom I believe may no longer be a safe driver ?
- What types of medical conditions must a physician report to DMV?
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Drivers Who May No Longer Have the Skill to Drive Safely
- Can DMV reexamine a driver who does not have a medical problem, but whose driving skills are nevertheless deteriorating?
- Does DMV automatically reexamine drivers of a certain age?
- What happens at a reexamination?
- What happens if I do not appear for the reexamination?
- Can I send an attorney or a family member on my behalf to represent me?
- If my driving privilege is suspended or revoked following a reexamination, how long will I be unable to drive?
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Arrest for Driving Under the Influence (DUI)
- I've just been arrested for DUI. What happens now?
- At the time of my arrest, the officer confiscated my driver license. How do I get it back?
- The officer issued me an Order of Suspension and Temporary License. What am I supposed to do with this document?
- The Notice of Suspension that the officer gave me at the time of my arrest states I have ten days to request an administrative hearing. What is the purpose of this hearing and what can it do for me?
- How long will my driving privilege be suspended if I took the chemical test?
- Do I need a hearing to get a restricted driver license to go to and from work?
- The officer stated I refused to take a chemical test. What does this mean?
- How long will my driving privilege be suspended for not taking the chemical test?
- How is the DMV suspension or revocation for the DUI arrest different from the suspension or revocation following my conviction in criminal court?
- How do I find a driving under the influence (DUI) program as ordered by the court?
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DUI Arrest: DMV Administrative Hearing Vs Criminal Court Trials
- I am scheduled to appear in court on the DUI charge. Is this similar to a DMV hearing?
- Why does DMV offer the right to a hearing if I am already scheduled to appear in court for the DUI charge?
- How is the DMV hearing different from the court trial for DUI?
- Am I obligated to have a DMV hearing?
- Does the DMV hearing substitute for the court trial?
- The suspension of my driving privilege was sustained following my DMV hearing, but I was found not guilty of the DUI charge in criminal court. Do I get my license back?
- The suspension of my driving privilege was sustained following my DMV hearing, but the DUI charge was reduced in criminal court to reckless driving. Do I get my driver license back?
- The suspension of my driving privilege was sustained following my DMV hearing, but the DUI charges were dismissed in the criminal court or the district attorney decided not to file a DUI charge against me. Do I get my driver license back?
- I was convicted in court of the DUI charge, but the judge said I could get a restricted license. How do I obtain this restriction?
- I had a DMV hearing and the hearing officer set aside the suspension and let me keep my license. Does this have any effect on what happens to the DUI charge in the criminal court?
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Subpoenas for DMV hearings
- Where can I obtain information about Driver Safety Administrative Hearings?
- What laws should I look at before sending a subpoena or a subpoena duces tecum?
- Where can I obtain information, instructions, and forms for a subpoena or subpoena duces tecum?
- What is a declaration and when is it required with the subpoena?
- How do I properly serve a subpoena or subpoena duces tecum?
- What fees must I pay if I subpoena a law enforcement officer, an employee of a governmental forensic laboratory, or any witness of a public agency for the performance of any “official service?”
- I want to obtain copies of records held by another agency. How do I get them?
- I have received a subpoena to be a witness in a hearing. Can I be paid?
Occupational licensing (OL) Questions
- What does Occupational Licensing (OL) mean and what do they do?
- Where can I find a listing of OL inspector offices?
- Where can I find OL licensing forms?
- Where can I find OL industry memos?
- How do I make a complaint against a driving or traffic violator school?
- Where can I find more information?
Motor Carrier Permit (MCP) Questions
- What is a Motor Carrier Permit?
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Who needs a permit?
- Who will not need a permit?
- When should a new carrier apply for a permit?
- How do I obtain a Motor Carrier Permit?
- Can I go to the local DMV Field Office to obtain a Motor Carrier Permit?
- Where do I send my application and insurance to obtain a Motor Carrier Permit?
- How do I obtain a California Identification number (CA#)?
- What are the liability insurance requirements to obtain a permit?
- Do I need to provide proof of Workers' Compensation insurance?
- If I only employ family members in my business, is Workers' Compensation insurance required?
- How are fees determined for the Motor Carrier Permit?
- Do my fees change if I add vehicles to, or remove vehicles from my fleet?
- What is a Seasonal Permit?
- Do I have to be in compliance with Biennial Inspection of Terminals (BIT) and Controlled Substance and Alcohol Testing (CSAT) programs to obtain a Motor Carrier Permit?
- What is the Biennial Inspection of Terminals (BIT) program?
- What is the Controlled Substance and Alcohol Testing (CSAT) program?
- Are motor carriers who transport empty freight containers required to obtain a Motor Carrier Permit?
- Is a refuse transporter considered a "private" or "for-hire" carrier?
- If I change the name of my company, do I need to apply for a new MCP?
- If I change my business entity, (e.g., sole proprietorship to partnership, individual to corporation, partnership to individual, etc.), do I need to apply for a new MCP?
- Am I required to obtain a Motor Carrier Permit if all my drivers are independent contractors and I only own trailers?
- If my business terminal(s) are located out-of-state and I employ driver(s) who are also licensed out-of-state, am I required to enroll in the EPN program?
- If my business is a Corporation, Partnership, or LLC and I am the only driver, will I be required to enroll in the EPN program?
- How do I change my address?
- If I am no longer going to be operating as a motor carrier, do I need to notify DMV?
- Is the information provided on my application confidential?
- Can I obtain information about a Motor Carrier Permit holder?
- What happens if I operate as a motor carrier without a permit?
- Can the DMV suspend a Motor Carrier Permit?
- In addition to the MCP permit, will I need to obtain any additional permits to operate my vehicle(s)?
- Will DMV audit my carrier records?