What Should You Do If Your California License Plates Have Not Arrived?

If you purchased a new or used vehicle from a dealership in California and are currently driving with a paper temporary license plate, follow these steps if your permanent license plates have not arrived.

1. Check the Expiration Date on the Temporary Plate

First, check the expiration date printed on the temporary paper license plate.

A California dealer-issued temporary license plate is generally valid for up to 90 days from the vehicle’s date of sale.

Even if the temporary plate has not expired, do not simply continue waiting if several weeks have passed. You should check whether the dealership properly submitted your registration documents to the DMV.

2. Contact the Dealership’s Registration Department

Contact the dealership where you purchased the vehicle. Instead of speaking only with the salesperson, ask for one of the following departments:

• DMV Department

• Title and Registration Department

• Business Office

• Finance Department

Ask the dealership the following questions:

“Have my vehicle registration documents been submitted to the DMV?”

“What date were they submitted?”

“Did the DMV request any corrections or additional documents?”

“Have all registration fees and taxes been paid to the DMV?”

“What mailing address was entered for my vehicle registration?”

“Can you provide proof of DMV submission or a registration processing number?”

California dealerships generally must submit registration documents within 20 days for a new vehicle and within 30 days for a used vehicle.

If the dealership only says, “The DMV is taking a long time,” ask for the exact submission date and written proof that the paperwork was actually submitted.

3. Contact the California DMV Directly

If it has been several weeks and you still have not received your license plates or registration card, contact the California DMV directly.

California DMV Customer Service:

1-800-777-0133

Hours:

Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Have the following information ready:

• Vehicle Identification Number, or VIN

• Vehicle purchase date

• Temporary license plate number

• Report of Sale number

• Dealership name and address

• Driver’s license

• Vehicle purchase agreement

• Current mailing address

Ask the DMV whether the dealership has submitted the registration, whether the registration has been completed, and whether the license plates have already been mailed.

4. If the Temporary Plate Is About to Expire

If the temporary plate is close to its expiration date, immediately contact both the dealership and the DMV.

Do not wait until after the expiration date.

If the registration fees have been paid but the permanent plates or registration documents have not been issued, the DMV may be able to issue a Temporary Operating Permit, commonly called a TOP.

Bring the following documents to a DMV office:

• Vehicle purchase agreement

• Temporary registration or Report of Sale

• Temporary license plate information

• VIN

• Driver’s license

• Proof of automobile insurance

• Proof that registration fees were paid

• Emails or text messages exchanged with the dealership

An appointment may help reduce the waiting time, although some DMV services may also be available without an appointment.

5. If the Temporary Plate Has Already Expired

Do not continue driving with an expired temporary license plate unless the DMV or another authorized agency has issued a valid operating permit.

Driving with an expired temporary plate may result in a traffic stop, citation, or other registration-related problems.

Contact the DMV immediately and ask whether you qualify for a Temporary Operating Permit.

You should also ask the dealership to provide written proof that the registration paperwork was submitted and that all required fees were paid.

6. If the DMV Says the Plates Were Already Mailed

Confirm that the DMV has your correct mailing address.

The license plates may have been:

• Sent to an old address

• Returned to the DMV

• Lost in the mail

• Delivered to the dealership

• Stolen after delivery

If the plates were issued but never received, you may need to request replacement license plates or registration documents using the appropriate DMV replacement application.

You should also check with the dealership because, in some cases, the plates or registration documents may have been mailed there.

7. If the Dealership Never Submitted the Registration

If the DMV confirms that the dealership has not submitted the registration documents, contact the dealership in writing and demand immediate action.

Keep copies of:

• The vehicle purchase agreement

• Temporary registration documents

• Registration fee and tax payment records

• Text messages and emails

• Temporary plate photographs

• Any information provided by the DMV

If the dealership continues to delay or refuses to cooperate, you may file a complaint with the California DMV Investigations Division.

Recommended Action Based on the Time Since Purchase

Less Than Three Weeks

The registration may still be processing. However, confirm with the dealership that the documents were submitted.

More Than 30 Days

Ask the dealership for the exact DMV submission date and written proof of submission.

More Than Eight Weeks

Contact the DMV directly and check the registration and license plate status.

Close to 90 Days

Take immediate action. Contact the dealership and the DMV and ask about obtaining a Temporary Operating Permit.

Temporary Plate Already Expired

Avoid driving the vehicle until you receive a valid temporary operating permit, permanent license plates, or other valid registration authorization.

Important Note for Private-Party Purchases

If you purchased the used vehicle directly from an individual rather than from a dealership, the buyer is generally responsible for applying for the title transfer and registration.

In California, a buyer generally must report the transfer and apply for registration within 10 days of the purchase.

Do not assume that the previous owner completed the entire registration process for you.