Why Did I Get 2017 DMV Sticker And Not 2018 After Title Transfer

We understand your frustration. Allow us to explain. During a title transfer, registration fees are only due if the vehicle you purchased has expired registration or registration which is about to expire in 75 days or less. When this happens, the California DMV adds registration renewal fees on top of the title transfer fee and use tax. If a vehicle's registration expiration date is greater than 75 days, the DMV will not collect registration renewal fees and will simple transfer the vehicle's title over to the new owner, keeping its current expiration date (period). Our assumption is that this is what has happened here. The period between your date of purchase and expiration date were not greater than 75 days and no payment for registration renewal was collected. Now that the registration has reached its expiration period, the DMV is requiring registration renewal fees for your 2018 sticker and registration card.