What the California DMV Affidavit of Non-Use does

The California DMV Affidavit of Non-Use (Form REG 256) lets you pause your vehicle registration without cancelling it entirely. You file it when your vehicle is not being driven and you want to stop paying registration fees temporarily. The DMV removes your vehicle from the active registration list, which stops the renewal notice from arriving and halts the annual fee obligation.

This is different from cancelling your registration. When you file a non-use affidavit, your registration stays on record with the DMV. If you want to drive the vehicle again later, you can reactivate it without re-registering from scratch. You pay a small fee to file the affidavit, but it costs far less than paying a full year of registration fees for a vehicle you are not using.

Non-use status is useful if you are storing a vehicle for several months, keeping a second car parked while you travel, or temporarily unable to drive due to mechanical issues or personal circumstances. It is not meant for vehicles you plan to sell or permanently retire.

Key Takeaways

  • You file Form REG 256 with the DMV to pause registration fees while keeping your registration active in the system.
  • The vehicle must not be driven on public roads while under non-use status, or you risk fines and registration penalties.
  • You can reactivate a non-use registration by filing Form REG 257 (process for Non-Resident or Resident Fleet Registration) or by renewing normally when you are ready to drive again.
  • The filing fee for non-use status is significantly lower than a full year of registration, but varies based on your vehicle type and weight.
  • Non-use status lasts for one year from the date you file; after that, you must renew or file another affidavit.

When you can file a non-use affidavit

You can file a non-use affidavit at any time during your registration period, not just at renewal time. Many people file it when they realize they will not be driving a vehicle for several months and want to stop the registration fees from that point forward.

The vehicle must be in California and not registered in another state. If you own a vehicle that is currently registered and in good standing, you are may be able to access to file. You cannot file a non-use affidavit for a vehicle with an outstanding registration suspension, unpaid parking tickets, or other DMV holds.

If your registration has already expired, you cannot use the non-use affidavit to retroactively pause fees. You would need to renew the registration first, then file the affidavit. This is an important distinction: non-use is a pause, not a way to avoid paying for time the vehicle was already registered.

How to file Form REG 256

You can file the affidavit in person at any California DMV office, by mail, or through the DMV website if you have an online account. The in-person route is fastest if you need confirmation the same day. Mail takes one to two weeks for processing.

To file by mail, print Form REG 256 from the California DMV website, sign it in front of a notary public, and mail it to the DMV address listed on the form along with your registration card and the filing fee. The notary signature is required; you cannot straightforward sign it yourself. Many banks, credit unions, and UPS stores offer notary services for a small fee, usually five to fifteen dollars.

If you file online through your DMV account, you will need your registration number, vehicle identification number (VIN), and payment method. The online process skips the notary requirement and provides when ready confirmation. Check the DMV website to see if your vehicle type is may be able to access for online filing, as some commercial or fleet vehicles cannot be processed this way.

What happens after you file

Once the DMV processes your affidavit, your vehicle moves to non-use status. You will no longer receive a registration renewal notice, and you will not owe registration fees for the next year. The DMV will send you a confirmation letter showing the non-use status and the date it expires.

During non-use status, your vehicle cannot be driven on public roads in California. If you are stopped by law enforcement or involved in an accident while the vehicle is under non-use registration, you face fines for operating an unregistered vehicle, even though the registration technically exists. The vehicle can be stored in a garage, on private property, or at a storage facility without issue.

Non-use status lasts exactly one year from the date you filed the affidavit. Before that year ends, you have three options: renew the registration normally to drive again, file another non-use affidavit to extend the pause for another year, or let the registration expire if you no longer want to keep the vehicle registered.

Reactivating your registration

To drive the vehicle again, you must reactivate the registration. The simplest way is to file Form REG 257 (process for Reinstatement of Registration) with the DMV. This form tells the DMV you want to resume active registration status. You pay a reinstatement fee plus any registration fees owed for the remainder of the registration year.

You can also reactivate by renewing your registration normally when the non-use period expires or before. If you renew before the non-use year ends, you pay the renewal fee and the vehicle returns to active status when ready. If you wait until after the non-use year expires without renewing or filing another affidavit, the registration lapses and you will need to register the vehicle as if it were new, which involves more paperwork and higher fees.

Reactivation takes effect once the DMV processes your request. If you file in person, you can often drive the vehicle the same day. If you file by mail, allow one to two weeks for processing before the vehicle is legally drivable on public roads.

Costs and fees

The filing fee for a non-use affidavit varies based on your vehicle's type and weight. For most passenger vehicles, the fee ranges from around thirty to fifty dollars, though the exact amount depends on your vehicle class. The DMV website shows the current fee for your specific vehicle when you start the filing process.

This fee is significantly lower than a full year of registration, which for a typical passenger vehicle in California ranges from around one hundred fifty to three hundred dollars depending on the vehicle's age and value. If you are storing a vehicle for six months or longer, filing a non-use affidavit almost always saves money compared to paying full registration fees.

If you file by mail and need a notary signature, add the notary fee (typically five to fifteen dollars) to your total cost. Filing online avoids the notary requirement and the associated fee.

What not to do while your vehicle is under non-use status

Do not drive the vehicle on public roads. This is the most important restriction. Even a short trip to the store or a drive around the block violates non-use status and can result in a citation for operating an unregistered vehicle. The fine for this violation is typically one hundred fifty dollars or more, which quickly erases any savings from filing the affidavit.

Do not let the non-use period expire without renewing or filing another affidavit. If you forget and the year passes, your registration lapses automatically. Driving a vehicle with a lapsed registration carries the same penalties as driving an unregistered vehicle. You can still renew after the fact, but you may face additional penalties for the lapsed period.

Do not file a non-use affidavit if you plan to sell the vehicle soon. The buyer will need an active registration to transfer the title, and non-use status complicates the sale process. Cancel the registration instead if you are selling.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive the vehicle to a mechanic or storage facility after filing a non-use affidavit?

No. Once non-use status is active, the vehicle cannot be driven on public roads for any reason. If you need to move the vehicle, have it towed or transported on a flatbed. Some people file the affidavit only after the vehicle is already parked and will not be moved.

What if I need to reactivate my vehicle before the non-use year ends?

File Form REG 257 (process for Reinstatement of Registration) with the DMV. You will pay a reinstatement fee plus any registration fees owed for the remainder of the year. Processing takes one to two weeks by mail or can be done in person at a DMV office.

Do I need to file a non-use affidavit every year, or just once?

Non-use status lasts one year from the filing date. After that year, you must either renew the registration to drive again or file another non-use affidavit to extend the pause. If you do neither, the registration expires automatically.

Can I file a non-use affidavit for a vehicle with a loan or lien on it?

Yes, but check your loan agreement first. Some lenders require the vehicle to maintain active registration as part of the loan terms. Contact your lender before filing to confirm they allow non-use status.

What if I lost my registration card and need to file a non-use affidavit?

You can still file, but you will need your vehicle identification number (VIN) and registration number. If you do not have the card, contact the DMV to request a duplicate before filing the affidavit, or provide the VIN and other identifying information when you submit the form.