California Car Currently in Utah with Student Son

It is important to note that since the vehicle is registered in your name and you are a California resident, the vehicle does not need to be registered in Utah. The same would not apply if the vehicle was registered in your son's name. As you mentioned, he is a resident of Utah. Any vehicle registered in his name must be registered in the State of Utah. That being said, here's what you need to do to obtain renewed California registration while your vehicle is out of state.

How To Renew Your California Registration While In Utah

We understand your vehicle is registered in California but is currently in Utah 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 Utah, 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 your son returns to California; whether on vacation or once his schooling is completed.

A. Renewing Registration by Mail

Simply write out a check for the appropriate amount and mail it in with your renewal notice. Expect to receive your renewed registration card and sticker within 3-4 weeks. 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.

B. Renewing Registration Online

Simply have ready your vehicle's license plate number and the last 3 digits of VIN (vehicle identification number), and proceed to the online registration renewal portal at NeedTags for expedited renewal service or the DMV website for regular processing. Your vehicle's VIN can be found:

• On your current registration card or renewal notice.
• On the vehicle's public VIN plate located on the lower left hand corner of the windshield.
• On the doorpost decal (driver's side door jam).

Online Option 1 - Expedited DMV Renewal (Overnight Delivery)

This is the fastest option to renew your DMV registration if your vehicle's registration with a REG 5103 smog check exemption. Have your license plate and VIN number available and follow the link above. Your registration renewal order will be processed and mailed out same-day, as opposed to 3 to 4 weeks; when using the DMV website directly.

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 Utah 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 still need to file a REG 5103?

No problem. In case you already paid your renewal fees to the DMV while in Utah, 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.

C. Renewing Registration In-Person

If you choose to renew your vehicle's registration in-person, it is recommend that you bring with you your vehicle's registration renewal notice, REG 5103, and current identification or drivers license.

In-Person Option 1 - DMV Branch Office - Renew in-person at a local DMV branch office. Take with you your current or expired registration card and ID. You'll see a DMV clerk, pay your renewal fees and be issued your renewed registration. Ensure your auto liability insurance is current.

In-Person Option 2 - No line, No Wait Registration Offices - Renew in-person at a local vehicle registration office. These offices are known as BPA (Business Partner Automation) providers . They are your DMV office alternatives. BPAs are privately owned businesses contracted by the California Department of Motor Vehicles to provide in-house vehicle registration services. They provide the same services which you would find at a state run DMV office but without long lines, and with very few limitations as far as the types of vehicle registration transactions they can perform. They carry official DMV inventory and can provide same-day license plates, stickers, vehicle registration cards, OHV tags, and more. If visiting a vehicle registration office, once again, make sure if you need a smog check, it's taken care of and that your vehicle is currently insured. They will be able to renew your vehicle's registration and issue you new stickers and registration card on the spot.

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