What a California Non-Use Affidavit Does

A Non-Use Affidavit is a form you file with the California Department of Motor Vehicles to tell them you are not driving a registered vehicle. When you file it, the DMV suspends your registration without canceling it entirely. You do not have to renew your registration while the vehicle is not in use, which means you skip the renewal fee and do not need to maintain current insurance on that vehicle during the suspension period.

This is different from canceling your registration. If you cancel, you have to re-register the vehicle from scratch if you want to drive it again later. With a non-use affidavit, your registration stays on file and can be reactivated when you are ready to drive the vehicle again.

The non-use affidavit is useful if you own a vehicle you do not plan to drive for a while — a seasonal car, a vehicle waiting for repairs, or a car you are storing. It stops the clock on renewal important date and lets you avoid paying registration fees you do not need.

Key Takeaways

  • A non-use affidavit suspends your registration without canceling it, so you can reactivate it later without re-registering from the start.
  • You must file the affidavit before your registration expires, or the DMV will not accept it and you will owe a late renewal fee.
  • While your registration is suspended, you cannot legally drive the vehicle on public roads, and you do not need to carry insurance on it.
  • You can file the affidavit online through the DMV website, by mail, or in person at a DMV office.
  • When you want to drive the vehicle again, you file a Notice of Use form to reactivate your registration.

When You Can File a Non-Use Affidavit

You can file a non-use affidavit at any time, but the timing matters. The DMV will only accept the affidavit if your registration is still current — meaning it has not expired yet. If your registration has already expired, the DMV treats the vehicle as unregistered and will not let you file a non-use affidavit. Instead, you would have to renew the registration first, then file the affidavit.

The best time to file is before your renewal notice arrives. That way, you avoid the renewal fee entirely. If you file after your renewal date has passed but before the DMV sends you a late notice, you may still be able to file, but contact your local DMV office first to confirm your registration status.

Once you file the affidavit, your registration suspension takes effect when ready. The DMV will not send you renewal notices while the suspension is active, so you do not have to worry about missing a important date.

How to File the Non-Use Affidavit

California offers three ways to file: online, by mail, or in person. The online method is the fastest. You can file through the DMV website using your vehicle registration number and license plate number. The DMV will email you a confirmation, and the suspension takes effect right away.

If you prefer to file by mail, read the Statement Regarding Non-Use of Vehicle form (Form REG 256) from the DMV website or pick one up at a DMV office. Fill it out completely, sign it, and mail it to the address listed on the form. Include a copy of your vehicle registration card. Processing by mail takes two to three weeks.

You can also walk into any DMV office with your registration card and completed form. A clerk will process it on the spot, and you will leave with a receipt showing the suspension is active. Bring your driver's license and vehicle registration card.

What Information You Need to Provide

The DMV needs your vehicle identification number (VIN), license plate number, and current registration number. You will also need to state the reason you are not using the vehicle — common reasons include storage, repair, seasonal use, or the vehicle is being held for sale. You do not need to provide extensive detail; a one-line reason is enough.

You must sign the affidavit under penalty of perjury, which means you are swearing that the information is true. The DMV takes this seriously. Do not file a non-use affidavit if you are actually driving the vehicle, because doing so is a misrepresentation to the state.

What Happens While Your Registration Is Suspended

Once your non-use affidavit is filed, you cannot legally drive the vehicle on California public roads. If you are caught driving it, you face a citation for driving with a suspended registration. You also do not need to carry insurance on the vehicle during the suspension period, which can save you money if you are storing it long-term.

The vehicle can sit in your driveway, a storage facility, or a garage without any registration renewal fees accumulating. The DMV will not contact you about renewal while the suspension is active. Your registration stays on file and does not expire, so there is no penalty for letting it sit.

If you need to move the vehicle — for example, to a repair shop — you will need a temporary permit from the DMV. You can request one when you file the affidavit, or contact your local DMV office to get one after the suspension is in place.

How to Reactivate Your Registration

When you are ready to drive the vehicle again, file a Notice of Use form (Form REG 257) with the DMV. You can do this online, by mail, or in person using the same methods as the non-use affidavit. Once the DMV receives it, your registration becomes active again when ready.

After you file the Notice of Use, you will need to renew your registration before you drive the vehicle. The DMV will send you a renewal notice, or you can renew online through the DMV website. You will owe the standard registration renewal fee at that time. You will also need to make sure your insurance is current before you drive.

If you file the Notice of Use but do not renew your registration right away, you cannot legally drive the vehicle. The suspension is lifted, but the registration itself is not active until you complete the renewal.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

The most common mistake is filing a non-use affidavit after your registration has already expired. Once it expires, the DMV will not accept the affidavit. You will have to renew first, then file the affidavit if you still want to suspend it. Check your registration card to see when it expires, and file the affidavit before that date.

Another mistake is driving the vehicle while the non-use affidavit is active. This is illegal and can result in a citation. If you need to move the vehicle, request a temporary permit from the DMV at the time you file the affidavit.

Some people also forget to file the Notice of Use when they want to drive again. They assume the suspension lifts automatically after a certain time, but it does not. You have to actively file the Notice of Use to reactivate the registration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I file a non-use affidavit if my registration has already expired?

No. The DMV will only accept a non-use affidavit if your registration is current. If it has expired, you must renew it first. After renewal, you can then file the affidavit if you want to suspend it going forward.

Do I need insurance while my registration is suspended?

No. California does not require you to carry insurance on a vehicle with a suspended registration, as long as you are not driving it. However, if you plan to reactivate it soon, you may want to keep a policy in place to avoid a gap in coverage.

How long can I keep a registration suspended with a non-use affidavit?

There is no time limit. You can keep the suspension active indefinitely as long as you do not drive the vehicle. When you are ready to use it again, file the Notice of Use and renew your registration.

What if I need to move the vehicle while it is suspended?

Request a temporary permit from the DMV when you file the non-use affidavit, or contact your local office after the suspension is active. The permit allows you to move the vehicle a short distance for repair or storage purposes without a full active registration.

Can I file the non-use affidavit online if I do not have a computer?

Yes. You can file by mail or in person at any DMV office. Both methods work just as well as online filing; they just take longer to process. In-person filing is fastest if you want an when ready confirmation.