Original and Renewal of Registration; Issuance of Certificates of TitleRegistration of Fleet Vehicles

Section § 5301

Explanation

This law allows owners or lessees of fleets of 25 or more commercial or passenger vehicles registered in California to apply for special license plates, permanent decals, and registration cards. Fleet registration can also be done through associations that group fleets together to reach at least 125 vehicles, with no fleet having less than 25 vehicles.

Associations must list each fleet's owner and vehicles when applying. If you were already participating in the permanent fleet registration program before 2001, you are allowed to continue following old rules until a specific date, giving time to meet the new requirements. After 2007, everyone in the program must comply with the updated regulations.

(a)CA Vehicle Code § 5301(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this code and Part 5 (commencing with Section 10701) of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, the registered owner or lessee of a fleet of vehicles consisting of commercial motor vehicles base plated in the state, or passenger automobiles may, upon payment of appropriate fees, apply to the department for license plates, permanent decals, and registration cards.
(b)Copy CA Vehicle Code § 5301(b)
(1)Copy CA Vehicle Code § 5301(b)(1) Fleets shall consist of at least 25 motor vehicles to qualify for this program. However, the department may provide for permanent fleet registration through an association providing a combination of fleets of motor vehicles of 125 or more vehicles with no individual fleet of fewer than 25 motor vehicles.
(2)CA Vehicle Code § 5301(b)(2) An association submitting an application of participation in the program shall provide within the overall application a listing identifying the registered owner of each fleet and the motor vehicles within each fleet. Identification of the motor vehicles as provided in this article applies to the ownership of the motor vehicles and not the association submitting the application.
(c)CA Vehicle Code § 5301(c) With the concurrence of both the department and the participant, the changes made in this section by the enactment of the Commercial Vehicle Registration Act of 2001 shall not affect those participants who were lawfully participating in the permanent fleet registration program on December 31, 2001. Any fleet that qualifies for permanent fleet registration as of December 31, 2001, will continue to count trailers to qualify as a fleet until January 1, 2007. However, five years following the implementation of the permanent trailer identification program, all participants in the permanent fleet registration program shall meet the requirements of this section in order to continue enrollment in the program described in this section.
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Section § 5302

Explanation

This law section outlines rules for a specific program involving vehicle fleets. First, vehicles registered outside of California aren't allowed to join this program. Second, it explains that another rule (Section 4604) doesn't apply to these vehicles if they're part of this program. Lastly, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) can audit the records of fleet owners or lessees who join, and those owners or lessees must pay for the audit costs.

(a)CA Vehicle Code § 5302(a) Motor vehicles registered in any state other than California are not permitted to participate in this program.
(b)CA Vehicle Code § 5302(b) Section 4604 does not apply to vehicles registered under this article.
(c)CA Vehicle Code § 5302(c) The department may conduct an audit of the records of each fleet owner or lessee of the vehicle fleets electing to participate in the program. The department shall be fully reimbursed by the fleet owner or lessee for the costs of conducting the audits.
out-of-state vehicle registration vehicle fleet program Section 4604 exemption ...

Section § 5303

Explanation

If you're applying for your first vehicle registration or renewing it in California, you need to fill out a specific form required by the department. Once you apply for the first time, you’ll receive a special license plate or decal showing your vehicle is registered. Having this plate, decal, and your registration card on display proves your vehicle is registered.

(a)CA Vehicle Code § 5303(a) The applicant for initial issuance of permanent registration or renewal of registration shall file an application in such form as the department shall require.
(b)CA Vehicle Code § 5303(b) Upon initial application, the department shall issue a distinguishing license plate or decal which indicates that the vehicle has been registered under this article.
(c)CA Vehicle Code § 5303(c) Display of the distinguishing license plate or decal and registration card shall constitute prima facie evidence that the vehicle is currently registered.
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Section § 5304

Explanation

This law explains that renewal fees for vehicle registrations must be paid according to a schedule set by the department. When an association pays these fees, they need to clearly indicate the specific fleet and each vehicle included in the renewal application.

Renewal fees shall be paid pursuant to a schedule established by the department. Submission of renewal fees by an association pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 5301 shall be specific as to each fleet and vehicle thereof covered by the renewal application.
renewal fees vehicle registration fee schedule ...

Section § 5305

Explanation

This law allows the department to charge an extra service fee of $1 for each fleet motor vehicle. This fee applies when you first register a fleet vehicle and every time you renew its registration.

In addition to any other fees due for motor vehicles registered pursuant to this article, the department may charge and collect a service fee of one dollar ($1) for each fleet motor vehicle at the time the initial application is submitted to the department and at the time of registration renewal of each fleet vehicle.
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Section § 5306

Explanation

If you pay the needed fees, your vehicle's license plate, decal, and registration card will stay valid until the conditions mentioned in Section 5307 are fulfilled.

Upon payment of appropriate fees, the license plate or decal and registration card issued pursuant to this article for the vehicle shall remain valid until the provisions of Section 5307 have been met.
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Section § 5307

Explanation

If a fleet operator wants to remove a vehicle from their registered fleet, they must notify the department using an approved form and return the vehicle's license plate or decal and registration card.

If this procedure isn't followed, the fleet owner will still be responsible for registering the vehicle as if it was part of the fleet.

Any unpaid fees for vehicle registration become a lien on all of the applicant's vehicles that require registration, with related laws applying to this process.

(a)CA Vehicle Code § 5307(a) A fleet vehicle registered under this article may be deleted from the identified fleet when the fleet operator notifies the department of the proposed deletion on a form approved by the department and the distinguishing license plate or decal and registration card issued for the vehicle are surrendered to the department.
(b)CA Vehicle Code § 5307(b) Failure to comply with subdivision (a) will require that the payment of fees due for the registration of the vehicle shall be the responsibility of the fleet owner as though the vehicle remained part of the fleet.
(c)CA Vehicle Code § 5307(c) The fees determined to be due and owing under this article shall be a lien upon all vehicles of the applicant of a type subject to registration under this code, and the provisions of Article 6 (commencing with Section 9800) of Chapter 6 shall apply.
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Section § 5308

Explanation
The director is responsible for setting up rules for handling fleet vehicle paperwork. This includes applying for plates, paying fees, adding or removing vehicles from a fleet, and canceling registrations or decals if the fleet owner or lessee doesn't follow the rules.
The director shall adopt procedures for initial application, payment of fees, fleet additions or deletions, and for the cancellation of the distinguishing plates or decals and registration card issued to a vehicle of a fleet owner or lessee who does not comply with this article.
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Section § 5309

Explanation

If you have a fleet of vehicles, you need to register each one every year.

The registration of any identified fleet vehicle is required annually.
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