How long should I retain DMV documents?

According to OLIN memo 2020-10

Dealerships are required to store hard copy records for 3 years, but they only need to keep them onsite for 90 days.

OLIN memo link: https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/file/20olin10-pdf

OLIN memo content:

Occupational Licensing Industry News OLIN 2020–10 Vehicle Dealer Records Storage Changes

Implementation Date: October 1, 2020

New Information:

Beginning October 1, 2020, new regulations reduce the required time for vehicle dealers to store hard copy records onsite to 90 days. The 3-year requirement to maintain paper records remains unchanged.

Regulatory changes will require business records to be stored for 90 days onsite (in the business office location). After 90 days, they may be stored off-site for the remainder of the 3-year period. Additionally, records requested by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) must be provided within 3 business days.

Background:

California regulations specify location requirements for specific business records and their length of storage.

Currently, DMV requires business records be stored at the business office location for the first 18 months and then stored off-site for the remainder of the 3-year period.

Reference:

California Code of Regulations, Title 13, Division 1, Chapter 1, Article 4.2 §272.02

Distribution:

Notification that this memo is available at dmv.ca.gov under Publications was made via the
California DMV Automated Email Alert System in October 2020.

Contact:

Direct questions regarding this memo to Occupational Licensing at (916) 229-3126.