The short answer
California does not give a grace period for registration renewals. From the day after your registration expires you owe late penalties on top of the normal renewal, and they grow the longer you wait. If your registration is more than 6 months expired, police can have the car towed from a street, public land or a public parking facility. Heard there is a 90-day grace period? See why that is a myth.
Late penalties for a renewal
The DMV adds three parts: a percentage of your Vehicle License Fee (VLF) and any weight fee, a registration late fee and a CHP late fee.
| How late | % of VLF and weight fee | Registration late fee | CHP late fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 – 10 days | 10% | $10 | $10 |
| 11 – 30 days | 20% | $15 | $15 |
| 31 days – 1 year | 60% | $30 | $30 |
| Over 1 year – 2 years | 80% | $50 | $50 |
| Over 2 years | 160% | $100 | $100 |
Worked example: a renewal with a $195 VLF
The VLF is 0.65% of the value the DMV uses for your car; $195 is the VLF on a $30,000 value.
| 5 days late: 10% × $195 + $10 + $10 | $39.50 |
| 20 days late: 20% × $195 + $15 + $15 | $69.00 |
| 3 months late: 60% × $195 + $30 + $30 | $177.00 |
| 18 months late: 80% × $195 + $50 + $50 | $256.00 |
These are added to the normal renewal fees. See what each renewal fee is.
First registration in California (new residents, new cars)
If the car has never been registered in California, the late penalty is a percentage of the VLF and weight fee only: 40% up to one year late, 80% from one to two years, and 160% after two years. New residents have 20 days to register; see registering an out-of-state car in California.
Not driving the car? File Planned Non-Operation
If the car will be off public roads for the whole registration year, file Planned Non-Operation (PNO) instead of renewing. You can file up to 60 days before expiry; filing up to 90 days after expiry is allowed only if the car was not driven, towed, stored or parked on public roads, and late penalties still apply. While on PNO the car can't be on public roads at all. If it is, full registration fees and penalties for that year become due.
Towing after 6 months
Under Vehicle Code § 22651(o), a vehicle found or driven on a highway, public land or an off-street parking facility with a registration expired more than six months can be removed. The officer must first check DMV records and may not tow it if current registration is on file.
What this guide doesn't cover
Ticket fines for driving with expired registration are set by the courts and vary; they are not on the DMV's penalty page, so we don't list a figure.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a grace period for car registration in California?
No. The DMV says it does not offer a grace period; penalties start the day after the expiration date.
Do I pay penalties if I didn't drive the car?
Yes, unless you filed Planned Non-Operation in time. Even a PNO filed up to 90 days late still carries the late penalties.
Can my car be towed for expired tags in California?
Yes, if the registration has been expired for more than six months and no current registration is on file with the DMV.
Calculate your California fees
Enter the vehicle price to see your estimate.
Total excludes items marked "not available".
Estimate only. Confirm with the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
Rates and sources for every fee are on the California car registration fee calculator page.
General information, not tax or legal advice. Fees and tax rules change; confirm with the agency listed before you pay.