Question 1

Can I renew my registration with USACarTags if a smog test is still required?

Accepted Answer

Yes. USACarTags can process your registration renewal even if your vehicle still requires a smog inspection.

You will receive a digital copy of your new registration by email as soon as your order is processed. However, your physical registration and sticker will be shipped only after the vehicle has passed the smog test.

Once you complete the smog inspection, email us a copy of your smog certificate and we will promptly ship your renewal documents.

Important notes

• USACarTags does not automatically receive notification that a smog test has been completed. You must notify us and provide proof.

• Smog certificates are valid for 90 days, so please submit yours within that timeframe to avoid needing a second test.

Question 2

I have unpaid parking tickets. Can I still renew my registration?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Any unpaid parking ticket fees that are reported to the DMV are automatically added to your registration renewal fees.

In some cases, you may still receive a parking ticket invoice by mail after completing your renewal. This can occur if the issuing agency mailed the invoice before your renewal was processed.

We recommend carefully reviewing any ticket notices and comparing them to the itemized fees on your registration. Do not pay the same parking ticket twice, as doing so can cause processing delays and may require a DMV visit to resolve.

Question 3

What California DMV services does USACarTags offer?

Accepted Answer

USACarTags offers a full range of online California DMV services, so you can skip the DMV office for most transactions:

Registration Renewal — renew your California vehicle registration online quickly and securely, with no DMV appointments, long lines, or paperwork hassles.

Title Transfer — complete your title transfer online if you purchased, inherited, or were gifted a vehicle. We also handle transferring out-of-state titles into California.

Replacement Sticker and Registration — get a replacement if your license plate, registration sticker, or registration card is lost, damaged, or stolen, plus a digital registration card once it's done.

Duplicate Title — get a duplicate if your California Certificate of Title was lost, damaged, or stolen, so you can sell, gift, donate, or register the vehicle out of state.

Release of Liability — file your Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability (NRL) with us to help protect yourself from liability tied to the vehicle after a sale, no DMV visit required.

Insurance Suspension Removal — if your registration was suspended for a lapse in insurance, we prepare and submit your reinstatement paperwork so it's cleared correctly the first time.

Question 4

Does filing a Release of Liability transfer ownership of my vehicle?

Accepted Answer

No. An NRL only releases you from liability going forward — it doesn't remove your name from the vehicle record.

Only the buyer's completed title transfer application, using the title you signed over to them, actually transfers ownership. If they never file that paperwork, you can still show DMV your NRL to prove you're no longer responsible.

Question 5

What if I don't know the buyer's name or address?

Accepted Answer

You can enter "unknown" in the new owner's name and address fields.

That said, missing buyer information can keep DMV from updating the vehicle record, which can disqualify your liability release — so it's worth tracking the buyer down before you file if at all possible.

Question 6

How long does it take for a Release of Liability to process?

Accepted Answer

It depends on how you file:

Online — DMV updates your vehicle record within one business day, and you get a printable confirmation immediately.

Mail (REG 138) — takes longer, and DMV won't notify you when it's received, so keep a photocopy for your own records.

Question 7

I keep getting registration renewal notices for a car I sold. What do I do?

Accepted Answer

This usually means DMV either never received your NRL, or received one that was incomplete or illegible.

File another NRL to get the record updated.

If you already filed online, don't send in the renewal notice or your confirmation page — the confirmation itself is already your proof of filing.

Question 8

Can someone else file the Release of Liability for me?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Someone else can submit the NRL on your behalf, but you're still responsible if any of the information on it is missing or incorrect.

Filing it yourself is still the surest way to make sure DMV gets everything it needs on time.

Question 9

What if my license plate or VIN doesn't match DMV's records?

Accepted Answer

Double-check what you entered first.

If the information is correct and you still get a no-match error, contact DMV directly at 1-800-777-0133 to sort it out.

Question 10

How do I get a copy of an NRL I already filed?

Accepted Answer

If you filed your Notice of Release of Liability through USACarTags, you can log in to your account anytime to view or download a copy of your NRL.

Filed directly with the California DMV?

If you file your Notice of Release of Liability directly with the California DMV, you’re responsible for saving your confirmation for your records. If you lose it, you may not have an easily accessible copy of what you submitted.

When you file through USACarTags, we keep a copy of your NRL with your order. You can log in to your account anytime to view or download your filed NRL for your records.

Question 11

Do I need to file both a Release of Liability and a title transfer?

Accepted Answer

Yes — they do different jobs:

Release of Liability (NRL) — protects you from liability for what happens with the vehicle after the sale.

Title transfer — the separate step the buyer has to complete on their own, by submitting the signed title and paying the applicable transfer fees, to actually own the vehicle on DMV's records.

Question 12

Who has to sign the REG 227 — me or my lienholder?

Accepted Answer

If your vehicle is two model years old or newer — the legal owner or lienholder on record has to apply, not you.

If there's no lienholder on record — you, the registered owner, apply instead.

Question 13

Does getting a duplicate title cancel my old one?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Once DMV issues the duplicate, the original title is void — even if you find it later, don't try to use it or hand it to a buyer.

Question 14

What if my address doesn't match DMV's records?

Accepted Answer

You'll need to file in person instead of by mail, bringing proof of ownership — like your registration card or a renewal notice — along with your driver's license or ID card.

Question 15

Do I need a CHP vehicle verification to get a duplicate title?

Accepted Answer

Only in one specific case: if DMV already issued a replacement title for this vehicle within the past 90 days and your address doesn't match their records, you'll also need a completed Verification of Vehicle (REG 31) from CHP.

Question 16

Can I sell my car with REG 227 if I don't have the title?

Accepted Answer

Yes. REG 227 doubles as both a duplicate-title request and a transfer document, so a seller and buyer can use the same form to complete the sale even without the original title in hand.

Question 17

Can I use REG 156 to replace a lost title?

Accepted Answer

No. A lost or damaged title is handled by REG 227 (Application for Replacement or Transfer of Title), not REG 156.

Question 18

Can I request a replacement plate over the phone?

Accepted Answer

No. DMV doesn't process telephone requests for replacement or substitute license plates — you'll need to submit the REG 156 by mail or in person.

Question 19

What if my license plate was stolen?

Accepted Answer

If your address matches DMV's records, you can typically file by mail. If your plate was stolen and your address is different from what DMV has on file, you'll need to go in person with proof of ownership, your driver's license or ID, and a copy of the police report.

Question 20

Do I have to surrender my other plate if only one is missing?

Accepted Answer

Yes, if you drive a vehicle that normally carries two plates (most cars, two-plate commercial vehicles, and pickups) and only one is missing. DMV issues a new matched pair, so the remaining plate has to be surrendered.

Question 21

Can I get replacement Clean Air Vehicle stickers with REG 156?

Accepted Answer

No. Clean Air Vehicle stickers (the ones that allow carpool-lane access) have their own form — REG 1000 — separate from REG 156.

California DMV FAQs

General

Registration

Release of Liability

Title Transfer

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