CA Registration Renewal for Vehicle in Arizona with Smog Check Done Later

How To Renew Your California Registration While In Arizona

We understand your vehicle is registered in California but is currently in Arizona and needs a smog check inspection for CA registration renewal. Not to worry. We can help. For other readers, the California DMV won't accept a smog check from Arizona, so don't get an emissions inspection out-of-state. What you need to do is file for a temporary out-of-state smog exemption using a REG 5103 form. The REG 5103 will allow you to obtain renewed California vehicle registration without obtaining a smog check; until you are able to do so, i.e. when you return to California.

The process can be handled through the DMV by mailing in your REG 5103 along with your vehicle's registration renewal notice, and renewal payment. Your new registration will be mailed to the current address on DMV records. Expect everything to be handling within 30-45 days of your request.

Need Renewed CA Registration in Arizona Faster?

Consider renewing your vehicle's registration through NeedTags, and allow us to process your smog check exemption filing online, and same-day. Submit your vehicle's registration renewal though our online DMV registration renewal portal. Upon receiving our confirmation email, reply back with your completed REG 5103. Once we receive your REG 5103 we will review it to make sure it's filled-in correctly. If everything is in order, we'll file it with the DMV, same-day and mail out your new registration card and sticker to your Arizona address and as fast as overnight. The entire process will be completed in minutes rather than weeks. Service fees apply. Please see REG 5103 Quick Guide below.

Already paid DMV fees but didn't get a smog check?

No problem. In case you already paid your renewal fees to the DMV while in Arizona, e.g. you mailed your renewal fee and renewal notice to the DMV but have not received your new registration card and tags because of the smog check requirement, you're still eligible to use our online renewal system.

Go ahead and begin the renewal process as described above. If your DMV registration fee amount has not changed from when you made your payment, our system will indicate zero registration fees due; meaning the DMV received your renewal payment and set your vehicle's record to "Report of Deposit of Fees". Go ahead and continue with checking out. Upon receipt of our confirmation email, reply back with your REG 5103 attachment, and we'll handle the rest.

If you have not yet paid your registration fees to the DMV directly, we highly recommend that you do not do so, and allow NeedTags to process both your renewal payment and smog check exemption simultaneously. This will ensure your exemption filing goes through without a hiccup. Service fees apply. Please see REG 5103 Quick Guide below.

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