California vehicle registration renewal is a great tool for drivers and car owners all over the state, simply because of the ease and convenience that the process entails. When previously you would have had to run around on a wild goose chase all over town, first finding out exactly what application forms you need, then having to actually obtain those forms and then finally having to fill them out and send them in, California online registration renewal allows you to go through the entire process in a few simple steps. The California online registration renewal process also does not require any additional fees on your part, and most major credit cards as well as e-checks are accepted for payment.

In most cases, you can normally expect to receive a vehicle registration renewal notice in the mail well before the registration period expires. This will alert you that the registration renewal is near, and you can then browse over to the appropriate web site and fill out the California online registration renewal form. If for any reason you haven’t received such a notice in the mail within 60 days of the registration renewal if you have lost the registration renewal notification card–you can call (800) 777-0133 and they will tell you how to proceed with the registration renewal process from there.

You actually have 3 options available to you for registration renewal–by mail, in person, and online–although California online registration renewal is by far the most convenient option. In any case, you will typically be required to submit some additional documents, particularly if your insurance company does not report to the department of motor vehicles and you will subsequently have to show proof of financial responsibility, or if you are changing the vehicle's registration, either through ownership transfer or by assuming the vehicle’s title from a lien holder. Keep in mind that in these two instances, you will not be able to use the online registration renewal process.

In all other cases though, you can use the online registration renewal process as normal and you should definitely do so whenever possible, as this offers the easiest, fastest and most convenient way to get it done. In addition to a computer with Internet access, you will also have to make sure that the car insurance company that you have signed up with has an electronic link up with the California Department of Motor Vehicles in order for you to be able to go through the registration renewal process.

The registration renewal notice that you have received in the mail is also necessary for the procedure. This document will contain the Renewal Identification Number or RIN that you will need for the California online registration renewal process. The renewal notice will also contain your address, which has to match up with your actual current address. If you have changed addresses since receiving the notice, you will have to make the necessary changes in the appropriate section on the California online registration renewal web page.