r/CaliforniaDMV

I purchased a car in California but the tags have been expired since July 2025. I will be driving the car back to Texas where I live and registering it there. I don’t leave California for another couple of days. Will I get pulled over and ticketed even though I am registering the car in Texas? How can I avoid this??

Edit to add info:
Yes, I have insurance on the vehicle already. It was added right after, same day of purchase.
I have the car title in my possession.
I do need to get the car serviced before I leave. One location is the next town over - 15 to 20 minutes from where I am currently at.
The goal is to NOT pay over due registration fees in California and then have to register the car in Texas.

been helping my younger cousin study for the california permit test and honestly we thought it would start making more sense after doing more practice questions, but now it mostly feels like they’re memorizing answers instead of actually understanding the rules.

especially with signs and right of way questions. sometimes they’ll get the question right and still not really know why it’s right.

did anyone else feel like this when they first started studying or are we just overthinking it?

I've tried updating the garage address for my car multiple times and it just would not change. I've changed my residence and mailing address successfully. But no mater how many times I update the address of my car it does not work even though request has been accepted and processed.

What are the implications of having the wrong garage address for my car but correct residence and mailing address?

What are my options to change vehicle address, that doesn't involve lining up in the morning in a DMV branch? TIA.

Good morning! May be some one can shed some lights here...

I renewed my CA DL Real ID recently. Received the new one. DMV wants the old one to be surrendered. Is this common?

Location: California

So I’m in a really frustrating situation and I need advice.

My brother was selling cars under a licensed dealer’s license without proper supervision. He told me about a 2016 Honda CRV available and I purchased it from him. I sold my own car and gave him $3,200 cash plus additional Zelle payments for the registration and fees.

The dealer processed my registration paperwork and the California DMV officially shows me as the registered owner with NO lienholder on my record. However the title transfer is still incomplete because the dealer has never submitted the title to the DMV. Now the dealer is claiming the car was not paid for because my brother allegedly owes them around $70,000 from other transactions they did together. They are essentially holding my title hostage over my brother’s debt which has nothing to do with me.

My brother has since left the state and is unreachable. Yes I know I can file a civil case on him but also I know that doesn’t always mean I will get paid.

On top of that the dealer has been repeatedly contacting my parents demanding they pay my brother’s debt which they have nothing to do with either. I have: • Official DMV records showing me as registered owner with no lienholder • Registration receipt with my name dated 08/29/2025 • Text messages showing the car deal with my brother • Zelle payment records • VIN report

My questions are: 1. Can a dealer legally withhold my title over someone else’s debt? 2. Can they put a lien on my car retroactively? 3. Is the dealer liable for unsupervised transactions conducted under their license? 4. Can I claim compensation for $781 in accumulated registration penalties? 5. Is repeatedly contacting my parents about someone else’s debt illegal in California? 6. What is my strongest legal path forward? Any advice from people who have dealt with dealer fraud or California consumer protection laws would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

I feel so screwed with no help. I feel so angry that my brother took money from me. I’m his younger sister I work hard I went to school I was the first one to finish with a degree I work full time saved up money for him just to take that away from me. He left the state got himself a blue collard job. It just makes me angry you know as woman it’s not easy to find a good paying job and he just took my money left and got himself a good paying job and now I’m here feeling so fucked over.

Hi I’m in a situation where I would love some help from someone who works at the dmv I know this is a long shot but just hoping to get some clarity. I was basically lost $8,000 and just want to see what I can do I feel so stuck and would love if someone could help me out.

My brother passed away. I’m paying off the existing lien on his car and transferring the title to my name. Will the DMV request any type of tax? Thank you in advance for your assistance.

On the CA DMV website, there's an option to add a vehicle to "My Garage". However, I can't find a link to show me what is already in "My Garage". HOW DO I DO THAT ?

I want to see what vehicles the CA DMV believes are registered to me. I want to make sure than an old vehicle is not under my name anymore, and a new vehicle has been added.

I went and got my regular id but it never showed up plus I moved when I go Back would I have to pay another 40 dollars again or will they at least reissue it one more time

So im taking my behind the wheels today at olive. Does anyone knows the driving routes for olive that they take you on for the test?

Edit* So this was my 2nd try for my behind the wheel driving test and I failed... I failed on things that I was doing good at when I was practice driving and now I feel like a whole let down... since I i only have one more try and thats it before I have to redo my whole permit again.

Hello, I was wondering if Im able to get a replacement for my motorcycle permit? The rain in california got it soaked and its not legible now, I already replaced my MSF course and it will be coming this week.

Curious if anyone else has had this issue? I have Retinopathay of Prematurity which is a static (stable) condition and my vision is 20/60 and 20/200 in my eyes. I got my original driver's license in 2005 for a full (then 4) year term with night driving restriction. I was able to auto renew online. In 2010 I was able to take another SDPE at night and have that restriction removed. I was able to online renew in 2014 and 2019. In 2024 I was told I had to come in for a vision, thumbprint, picture, etc. I completed the DL62 form required that showed my vision was still the same as it had been in 2005 and the condition was static. During my SDPE in 2024 I missed I think 4 on the test. I was told I passed and to go in and get my license. I found out when my license came to me that it was a medical 2 year renewal.

In 2026 I went to the DMV to renew my license, taking another DL62 from my doctor showing my vision was the same as it has always been and the condition was static. I also took my previous DL62's and their Vision Action Chart from 2014 (but still active on the DMV website). When called the lady seemed to have no idea what the DL62 form was and took it to her supervisor. Eventually after a little back and forth with her, I spoke directly to the supervisor who said that while my Dr can recommend 5 year renewal and show my vision is stable, it was up to the discretion of the examiner to issue me a medical term license. I asked why that had never been explained to me last time, or why 2024 was the first time I had ever experienced this. She was unable to provide any answers, but kept telling me it was up to the examiner.

My question that no one can seem to answer is how do I break out of this cycle? The examiner in 2024 told me I was a good driver and never mentioned a medical term license, if he had I would have discussed it with him. I feel like this is discrimenatory against people with low vision, if the examiner hates Asian or Black or White people then they can make my life hell by making me renew every two years when there is no reaosn to have to do so. Has anyone been trapped in the same cycle I am and found a way out? I was able to renew for years before this, so obviously its possible, I just don't know the way to make it happen.

I paid off my vehicle finance company send me the vehicle title, I recently moved and lost it I went to dmv to request a duplicate title they told me that it had a lien on it from the finance company. I told them loan was payed off and closed that they had send me the title and I lost it. Their answer was contact the finance company I did and they said all they can do was send me the soft copy they had for my car on file but dmv won’t take that is there anything I can do to get that dup title

I bought used car from a dealership and 5 months later after many calls and texts I finally received my registration and sticker and surprise surprise the registration says”Lienholder [Dealership Name]”
😑 does this mean the car still belongs to them ? My name is there as the registered owner but I paid in full. Why is their name even on there? I just want to rid myself of them and have my documents in line and never talk to them again. But I feel now getting the title is going to be an issue… any suggestions or someone who knows what this means. Thank you 🙏🏽

Hi,

I'm about 110 days before my license expires and I remember reading that if you try to renew too early (before 90 days), you might have to retake a test. So, I went online and went through the renewal process and I'm able to go all the way to adding the renewal to my cart, no mention of any test needed. Would that pop up later? Could I renew it now without issue? (like another test or shorter DL expiration). TIA

Moved from out of state to California and brought my 97 heritage springer. Went to the dmv for verification and my federal label fell off at some point. I called Harley in Wisconsin and they only thing they will provide is a certificate of conformance that the bike meets California standards. Has anyone else had this issue before and can provide guidance on what is needed to get the bike registered?