Vehicle Industry Registration Procedures Manual

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Section 23 of 38

Chapter 22: Corrections and Adjustments

22.070 Mixed License Plates and/or Registration Card

Use the following procedures when a customer says the license plates they received do not agree with the license plate number shown on the registration document(s):

If the
The Procedure Below Must Be Followed
Customer currently owns both vehicles and the stickers and/or license plates were placed on the wrong vehicle
  • The customer must attach the license plates to the correct vehicle.
  • The applicant must complete an Application for Replacement Plates, Stickers, Documents (REG 156) form and the fee for new stickers, if stickers were placed on the wrong license plates, must be collected.
Customer owned both vehicles, but sold one of the vehicles
The applicant must exchange the license plates with the buyer of the other vehicle.
License plates were obtained by the dealer
The applicant must contact the dealer.
Envelope contained the wrong regular series plates
  • The following must be submitted:
    —The wrong regular series license plates.
    —A completed REG 156.
  • Write the number of license plates surrendered and “mixed license plates” on the REG 156.
  • New license plates and sticker, must be issued at no fee.
Envelope contained the wrong special license plates and the correct license plates cannot be located
  • The following must be submitted:
    —The wrong special license plates.
    —A completed REG 156.
  • Write the number of license plates surrendered and “mixed license plates” on the REG 156.
  • The license plate and sticker fees, must be waived
  • The application must be sent to the appropriate Registration Processing Unit (RPU) in DMV headquarters for verification and processing.
  • A 60-day temporary operating permit (TOP) must be issued.