Payment Making DMV s
The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) offers several convenient payment options for various transactions. You can pay online, over the phone, at a kiosk, by mail, or in person at a DMV office, depending on the type of application and your eligibility. Explore the best method for you.
Whether you're renewing your vehicle registration, paying for a driver's license, or handling other DMV fees, understanding these options can save you time and effort. Make sure to choose the option that best suits your needs for a smooth and efficient transaction.
Refunds Requesting a DMV Refund
You can request refunds for specific fees and penalties collected by the DMV, including vehicle registration, driver's licenses, ID cards, and insurance. Refunds are issued in cases of overpayment or if a fee was incorrectly assessed.
Common reasons for refunds include paying renewal fees after a vehicle sale, vehicle being wrecked/junked/stolen before registration period, nonresident military/spouse errors, or vehicle leaving California before the registration period. Start your refund process by completing and mailing the Application for Refund (ADM 399) form, including the necessary documentation such as the vehicle identification number (VIN) or driver's license number, payment details, and your vehicle's license plate number.
Refunds of the Vehicle License Fee (VLF) are available on a prorated basis for vehicles declared a total loss. Eligibility depends on if the vehicle is an unrecovered total loss, a constructive total loss, or a nonrepairable vehicle.
Dishonored Handling Payments
If you receive a 'Demand for Payment' letter, there are several ways to settle your dishonored payment. You can pay online, pay by mail (with a cashier’s check or money order), or pay in person at a DMV office. Remember to include your account number with your payment and any associated documentation.
For in-person payments, the DMV accepts cash, ATM/debit cards, credit cards, digital wallets (with a service fee), cashier’s checks, or money orders.
“Navigating DMV transactions can be straightforward. Understanding the payment methods, refund processes, and fees will save you time and frustration.
DMV Expert
Interactive Tools
Enhance your experience with these handy resources:
Refund Calculator
Calculate your potential refund amount based on vehicle type and circumstances.
Payment Option Finder
Quickly find the best payment option based on your specific needs.
Reissue Fees Understanding
A reissue fee is required to reinstate a driving privilege that has been suspended or revoked. Common reissue fees include those for court restrictions, driver's license restriction removals, drug suspensions, and the general $55 reissue fee.
Other fee amounts include: $100 preliminary alcohol screening (PAS), $100 Admin Per Se (APS), $85 APS (partial payment of the $100 APS fee), and $45 APS (partial payment of the $100 APS fee).
FAQs Frequently Asked Questions
The DMV no longer accepts failure-to-pay (FTP) notifications from courts. Thus, it can’t suspend or withhold a driver’s license for that reason. If you fail to appear in court for a ticket, the court can still send an FTA notification to the DMV, and the DMV can suspend your driving privilege for that reason.
Failing to pay a ticket or court fees does not result in a driver’s license suspension or record notation, but the fines/fees must still be paid to the court. Past FTP notations have been removed from driver records, and customers with FTP suspensions were notified.