Understanding Vehicle Registration Fees

If you are facing unexpected registration fees for your vehicle, it may be due to the previous owner's exemption status. This article will help clarify how ownership changes can impact your fees and what steps you should take next.

Previous Owner's Exemption Status

Your registration fees could be influenced by whether the prior owner had a Non Resident Military Exemption. If they did, this exemption typically does not transfer to new owners. As a result, you might incur charges for Vehicle License Fees (VLF) that were previously waived under their exemption.

Although your current registration is valid until November 2025, any change in ownership or exemptions can affect fee assessments. Therefore, it's advisable to contact your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for clarification on how these factors influence your current situation.

Change in Registration Status

The additional fees you're encountering may also stem from the vehicle's change in registration status as it returns to California. Even if the original posted fees do not expire until 2025, re-registering a vehicle that was previously registered in California incurs new fees based on either the sale date or when you first operated the vehicle after purchase.

New Record Creation

This process creates a new record with DMV and requires payment of a full year of fees upon re-registration. It’s important to note that any existing license plates become invalid during this transition; therefore, obtaining new plates will be necessary.

Next Steps

• Contact Your Local DMV: Reach out for specific information regarding how previous exemptions affect your current registration costs.
• Gather Documentation: Have all relevant details about both past and present registrations available when contacting DMV representatives.
• Acknowledge New Fees: Be prepared for potential new charges associated with returning vehicles and understand that these must be settled promptly upon re-registration.