Filing a Non Operation Status on Your Car

If you don’t plan to drive your car, or if you plan to store your vehicle during the next DMV registration renewal year, you may apply for the non operational status (PNO). If you miss your window to pay the PNO fee you may end up paying hundreds in penalties and be stuck with paying another year’s registration for a vehicle you’re not using. Avoid the cost & headache: file & pay the $23 PNO fees. Here are a few things to know about this option:

1. No car insurance is required – It is not necessary to insure your car when a PNO is filed with the California DMV. A stored vehicle is not required to have auto liability insurance. The DMV will not be waiting for an electronic notification from your insurance carrier – and therefore it will not be suspended. If you do have insurance on a vehicle that is in non-op status, take it off the policy, and save yourself some money. I will note however, depending your vehicle, you may want to keep the physical damage coverage on your vehicle – this is especially true for high value vehicles.
2. It only costs $23 – If you pay it on time, it will only cost you $21. If you don’t file it on time, the fee is due with penalties, however, after 90 days, you will not be able to put the vehicle in non-op status.
3. Keep it off the streets – You cannot keep your vehicle parked on the street or public roads. Park it on your driveway or inside your garage – otherwise, the PNO becomes invalidated and you’ll have to pay your registration fees.
4. Getting tickets nullify your PNO-Status – If you get a ticket while your vehicle is in non-op status you will nullify your PNO-status and ALL registration fees will be due. This is why it is imperative to keep your cars off of public streets.
5. It’s a one time fee – Once this fee is posted, you do not have to pay it again. You will receive a notification in the mail giving you the OPTION to renew the tags (take it out of non-op) or continue the status. If you elect to continue the status, you do not have to do anything.
6. You can’t just file it when you want – You must file it 70 days prior to when the registration expires or 90 days after the registration expires. In other words, you can’t do it too soon, and you can’t do it too late.
7. Registration fees become due after 90 days – If you fail to file the PNO after 90 days after the expiration date – ALL FEES BECOME DUE, WITH PENALTIES.

One thing to note, some cars will fall off the DMV database due to inactivity, sadly, however, that includes vehicles in non-op status. This usually happens after 5-7 years of inactivity. When this happens, you have to re-register/title your vehicle again.