Section 13 of 38
Chapter 12: Nonresident Vehicles
12.045 Determining the Date Fees Become Due
When California registration fees become due on a nonresident vehicle:
- Penalties are due if the fees are not paid within 20 days of the date they became due. (VC §4152.5)
- Prior fees and/or penalties cannot be collected on the assumption that they were due at an earlier date.
| If the RO Is |
And the Nonresident Vehicle |
Then Fees Become Due on |
|---|---|---|
| New (changing ownership) |
Was sold by a California licensed dealer |
The date of first retail sale. Note: California dealers have 30 days from the date of sale on the REG 51to submit fees without penalty (VC §9553c.1). |
| Was purchased outside of California |
The date of entry. |
|
| Was acquired or purchased in California Note: If the vehicle was brought into California by someone other than the applicant/purchaser; the date of entry must be shown, or if unknown, “unknown” must be printed. |
The date of purchase. Exception: Fees were posted recently on a report of deposit of fees (RDF) for a nonresident application (type transaction code[TTC] B00) by a prior owner). |
|
| The same (no ownership change) |
Is currently registered out of state |
Whichever of the following occurs first: • The date residency is established (refer to this chapter). • The date after the out-of-state registration expires. • The date of entry, if owner is already a California resident. Exception: Fees for commercial vehicles are due upon date of entry, unless registered as an auto in the former state. |
| The same (no ownership change) |
Was not currently registered upon entry into California or no proof of current registration can be provided Note: Must have proof of nonresident registration, nonresident title, or a letter from the motor vehicle division. |
Whichever of the following occurs later: • The date of entry. • The date after the out-of-state registration expires. |
| Is a commercial vehicle registered as a commercial vehicle in the last state of registration (refer to Commercial Vehicle section in this chapter) |
The date of entry unless the vehicle is currently registered and was parked without fees becoming due. Note: If parked, fees become due on whichever of the following occurs first: • The date of first operation. • The date following expiration of the out-of-state registration. The applicant must apply for registration or planned nonoperation (PNO) prior to the vehicle’s out-of-state registration expiration to avoid penalties or fees/penalties. |
|
| A nonresident active duty military service member or their nonresident spouse (refer to appropriate sections in this chapter |
Is not currently registered in their home state or state of last duty station |
The date of entry |
|
Is currently registered in their home state or state of last duty station |
Whichever of the following occurs first: • The date after the current registration expires. • The date after discharge from military service. • The date the application is completed. Note: Active duty military personnel may renew their vehicle’s registration in their home state instead of registering in California |
|
| A California resident or a California business |
Has not yet entered California, but the applicant wishes to initiate California registration |
Whichever of the following occurs first: • The date of entry. • The date the application is completed. Note: Since the system will not accept future dates, if the applicant starts the process to register and the application is an RDF’s, change the date fees due upon return of the application to one of the above. |
| A nonresident (individual or business) |
Has not entered California |
No date, because the application cannot be started when the applicant is a nonresident and the vehicle has not entered California. |
| A nonresident (individual or business) having an established place of business in California |
Is being used in California |
The date of entry. |
For vehicles brought into California by someone other than the applicant/purchaser, the:
- Date of entry must show “unknown.”
- Fees are due from the date of purchase unless it can be determined from the application documents that fees became due at an earlier date. Example: When multiple transfers have occurred.