Most common mistakes while renewing the DMV registration

 For legally driving your vehicle on American roads, you need to fulfill all the legal requirements as well as should have all the updated documents and tags in your vehicle. As per the legal requirement, you should update your DMV registration regularly and for that, you need to submit a current or expired registration card, along with your id and address proof and a valid smog certificate. If all the documents are perfect then with the DMV registration renewal fees you can renew your vehicle’s registration easily.

The common mistakes while renewing the DMV registration:

The DMV registration renewal is a very simple process and you can do it by yourself via the online option or from any professional auto repair and service in California. But a tiny mistake can hamper the procedure and due to that, you can’t drive your vehicle until the registration is renewed. In the following section, we will mention the common mistakes observed while renewing the DMV registration.

• The engine management light is on:

If your vehicle’s engine management light is on, you can’t renew the DMV registration as well as can’t pass the smog check. So in such a case, first you should diagnose and fix the problem at the earliest from any reputed auto repair station in California, before applying for renewal of DMV registration.

 

The engine management light may turn on due to any fault in the mass airflow sensor, oxygen sensor, ignition system, or exhaust gas recirculation valve (EGR). Also if the fuel injectors and fuel pump are blocked that will turn on the engine light. So, don’t ignore if the red-light of the engine in your vehicle’s dashboard is on and get it fixed before applying for DMV registration renewal.  

• Smog check is not passed:

Without a valid smog certificate, the DMV registration can’t be updated. So, pass the smog check before applying for renewal and the smog check report will be valid for only the next two years. So, check if the smog check tag is valid while you submit the documents for the renewal of DMV registration. 

You should keep your vehicle’s engine properly maintained and serviced as well as should change your engine oil regularly on time as instructed by the manufacturer. If the engine’s condition is healthy then your vehicle will pass the smog test easily and you will not face any complication while renewing the DMV registration. 

• The insurance card isn’t updated:   

Without insurance, you can’t drive your vehicle on the federal roads, as this is a legal offense and punishable under the motor vehicle law. In California, the auto repair centers provide update service for all the legal requirements for DMV registration, so you can contact them for updating your insurance card. 

Also, you can renew the vehicle’s insurance via the respective website of the insurance service provider. For that, you need to log in to your account and pay the charges for your vehicle’s insurance. The insurance card will be updated instantly and you can easily apply for DMV registration renewal. You can choose the insurance plan as per your budget and preference, from the various options. 

• The address isn’t updated:

If the address in DMV registration same as earlier then this won’t be an issue for the renewal process. But if you have changed your address recently and not updated it in the Department of Motor Vehicles then this will surely hamper the renewal process. So it is suggested to update the address before applying for the renewal process. 

For updating the new address you need to submit the change of address form, along with valid address proof and payment authorization form to complete the procedure. As per the standers rules, you should notify the Department of Motor Vehicles within 10 days of moving and if you failed to do so, then some penalty will be levied along with the standard fees.  

The Bottom line:

Renewing the DMV registration is very important to drive your vehicles on the roads and as we have mentioned earlier if all the necessary documents are available then this is a simple process. In California, the car repair stations provide DMV registration renewal service and you can submit all the documents to them to renew the DMV registration at the earliest. In case you are updating your DMV registration via their website then, be sure to check your state's DMV website for a list of accepted and required documents before you renew. And check if all the documents are valid before submitting them at DMV. If you follow these cautions then there won’t be any problem with DMV registration renewal.