{"id":3719,"date":"2020-02-27T21:24:00","date_gmt":"2020-02-27T21:24:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/35.89.255.242\/?p=3719"},"modified":"2020-08-24T23:52:34","modified_gmt":"2020-08-24T23:52:34","slug":"how-to-replace-a-lost-stolen-or-damaged-license-plate-in-california","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.stickerquicker.com\/blog\/how-to-replace-a-lost-stolen-or-damaged-license-plate-in-california\/uncategorized\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Replace a Lost, Stolen or Damaged License Plate in California"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><em>Three ways to get a replacement license plate and the steps to take<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If your license plate has been lost, stolen or damaged, you\u2019ll need to get a replacement quickly in order to avoid a citation. In California, you have three options to get replacement license plates: in person, by mail or through a DMV-approved service. Here are the steps to take for each.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>How Do You Get Replacement License Plates in Person in California?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you plan to go to the DMV to get your license plates in person, you\u2019ll need to take these steps:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Find and fill out the right application form<\/strong> \u2014 In most cases, you\u2019ll need to fill out<a href=\"https:\/\/www.dmv.ca.gov\/portal\/wcm\/connect\/78848945-2d42-4903-a38b-329805062c7e\/reg156.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&amp;CVID=\"> REG 156<\/a>, the Application for Replacement Plates, Stickers, Documents. For others, complete:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u00b7&nbsp; \t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.dmv.ca.gov\/dmv\/detail\/forms\/reg\/reg17\">REG 17<\/a> for special interest license plates<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u00b7&nbsp; \t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.dmv.ca.gov\/dmv\/detail\/forms\/reg\/reg17a\">REG 17A<\/a> for special recognition license plates<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u00b7&nbsp; \t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.dmv.ca.gov\/dmv\/detail\/forms\/reg\/reg88\">REG 88<\/a> for special equipment plates<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u00b7&nbsp; \t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.dmv.ca.gov\/dmv\/detail\/forms\/reg\/reg230\">REG 230<\/a> for motorized bicycle (moped) plates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>*Consult the list at the bottom of the article for a complete list of which vehicle types fall under these categories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can view all of the California DMV\u2019s forms at <a href=\"https:\/\/stickerquicker.com\/blog\">www.blog.stickerquicker.com<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>&nbsp;<strong>Bring your ID<\/strong> \u2014 You\u2019ll need a valid California driver\u2019s license or identification card. If you have an out-of-state or foreign license, you\u2019ll need to bring that AND another form of photo ID. This can include a valid passport, military ID card, state or government agency issued ID card, a student ID from a college or university, or an ID card issued by a California-based employer.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>&nbsp;<strong>Surrender remaining plates <\/strong>\u2014 Bring any remaining license plates with you.<\/li><li>&nbsp;<strong>Be prepared to pay <\/strong>\u2014 duplicate or substitute license plate fees apply, so be prepared to pay for your replacement plates. See the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dmv.ca.gov\/portal\/dmv\/detail\/pubs\/brochures\/fast_facts\/ffvr34\">registration related fees (FFVR 34)<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dmv.ca.gov\/portal\/dmv\/detail\/pubs\/brochures\/fast_facts\/ffvr11\">special license plate fees (FFVR 11)<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/li><li><strong>Bring additional documentation, if necessary<\/strong> \u2014 If these circumstances apply to you, you\u2019ll need additional documentation:<ul><li><strong>Your address doesn\u2019t match the DMV\u2019s records<\/strong> \u2014 If your address is different from the address the DMV has on file, you\u2019ll also need to submit proof of ownership (a copy of your title or registration card).<\/li><li><strong>Your plates were stolen<\/strong> \u2014 If your plates were stolen, you\u2019ll need to bring a copy of the police report.<\/li><li><strong>You\u2019ve recently replaced plates <\/strong>\u2014 If you\u2019ve gotten replacement plates in the last 90 days, you\u2019ll need a<a href=\"https:\/\/www.dmv.ca.gov\/dmv\/detail\/forms\/reg\/reg31\"> REG 31<\/a> completed by the California Highway Patrol.<\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The upside of getting replacement license plates in person is, unless you have personalized plates, you\u2019ll probably walk out with your plates in hand. The downside is, you may have to wait 3-6 hours in line to get them. And if they run out? They\u2019ll be mailed to you and you won\u2019t be given tracking information \u2013 so you won\u2019t have any way of knowing when they\u2019ll arrive.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>How Do You Replace a License Plate by Mail in California?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you plan to request replacement license plates by mail, you\u2019ll need to take these steps:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Be the registered owner of the vehicle<\/strong> \u2014 Colleagues, friends, and family are not allowed to handle the transaction.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Have the same address as it appears on the DMV&#8217;s record<\/strong> \u2014 If your address is different from the address the DMV has on file, you\u2019ll need to replace plates in person and will need to submit proof of ownership (a copy of your title or registration card).<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Submit a completed application<\/strong> \u2014 In most cases, you will complete and mail<a href=\"https:\/\/www.dmv.ca.gov\/portal\/wcm\/connect\/78848945-2d42-4903-a38b-329805062c7e\/reg156.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&amp;CVID=\"> REG 156<\/a>. See the other form types listed above or visit the <strong>Forms <\/strong>section at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dmv.ca.gov\/portal\/dmv\">www.dmv.ca.gov<\/a> to learn which form applies to your circumstances.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Send in any plates you still have <\/strong>\u2014 Don\u2019t hang on to any remaining plates \u2014 mail them along with the other items.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Pay the duplicate or substitute license plate<\/strong> fee \u2014 See <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dmv.ca.gov\/portal\/dmv\/detail\/pubs\/brochures\/fast_facts\/ffvr34\">Registration related fees (FFVR 34)<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dmv.ca.gov\/portal\/dmv\/detail\/pubs\/brochures\/fast_facts\/ffvr11\">Special license plate fees (FFVR 11)<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Mail everything to the correct address<\/strong> \u2014 Mail the application, fee, and license plate(s) to the address on the form. If there is no address on the form, mail your items to:<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Department of Motor Vehicles<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>PO Box 942869<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sacramento, CA 94269-0001<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Contact the DMV if you don\u2019t get your plates<\/strong> \u2014 If your plates don\u2019t arrive within eight weeks of submitting the application, you\u2019ll want to call the DMV at 1-800-777-0133 Monday-Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. If your application wasn\u2019t received, you won\u2019t have to pay additional fees, but you will have the hassle of submitting another<a href=\"https:\/\/www.dmv.ca.gov\/dmv\/detail\/forms\/reg\/reg156\"> REG 156<\/a>.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>While requesting replacement plates via mail may seem more convenient, there is a catch: once you mail everything, there is no way to track its progress. Your only recourse is to wait for the check to be cashed and the plates to arrive, which can take eight weeks or more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>How Do You Use Sticker Quicker to Replace License Plates?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/stickerquicker.com\/\">Sticker Quicker<\/a> is a licensed DMV express service. When you use Sticker Quicker for license plate replacement, it only takes one step. You simply complete a very simple form online:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>&nbsp;<strong>If you have the full VIN<\/strong> \u2014 Provide the VIN and your email, select \u201cReplace my License Plate\u201d and click \u201cRenew Now.\u201d<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>If you have the plate number<\/strong> \u2014 List the plate number, the last three digits of the VIN, and your email, select \u201cReplace my License Plate\u201d and click \u201cRenew Now.\u201d<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Requesting Sticker Quicker license replacement literally takes just minutes of your time. From there, Sticker Quicker does all of the work for you. If you\u2019re located in California, you\u2019ll have your plates the next day. If you\u2019re located out of state, you\u2019ll have it in just two days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition to saved time and expedited arrival, Sticker Quicker comes with other benefits:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Complete entirely online- <\/strong>No other forms need to be completed, the whole process can be done online.&nbsp;<\/li><li><strong>You can update your address at the same time<\/strong> \u2014 If your current address doesn\u2019t match what the DMV has on file, Sticker Quicker can update it at the same time as replacing your plates.<\/li><li><strong>You don\u2019t have to be the registered owner<\/strong> \u2014 If you manage fleet vehicles, Sticker Quicker can handle California license plate replacement for all of your vehicles. For independent vehicles, you do have to be the registered owner to complete check out.&nbsp;<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>&nbsp;Good News for Fleets<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Fleet owners can benefit from License Replacement because:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Avoid hefty citations<\/strong> \u2014 Oftentimes, when drivers receive a citation for a missing plate, they fear to report it to their company. Then, when the time comes to renew the registration, companies learn they owe hundreds of dollars in fees for unpaid citations. When that happens, replacing plates quickly is a must to avoid further fees. With <a href=\"https:\/\/stickerquicker.com\/\">Sticker Quicker,<\/a> the replacement timeline can be reduced from 8 weeks down to one day. When you\u2019re dealing with multiple fleet vehicles, using Sticker Quicker can result in major savings \u2014 in fact, one Sticker Quicker fleet client saved $500,000 in a year in owner citations and registration penalties.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>You can receive plates out of state<\/strong> \u2014 The California DMV will only send the plates to the registered owner\u2019s address. So if your fleet vehicles operate in California but you\u2019re registered elsewhere, your plates may be mailed out of state, requiring you to then mail them back to California where your vehicles are operated. Overnighting plates can cost more than $100 \u2013 an expense that adds up quickly over multiple vehicles. And, this additional wait time can also mean additional citations. Even worse, your fleet may choose not to operate the vehicle until the plates arrive, which is a large investment gathering dust while you wait.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Avoid unnecessary administrative time<\/strong> \u2014Sticker Quicker saves people the time it takes to mail in their documents or sit waiting at the DMV. But it also reduces the administrative burden, especially for fleets. When fleets submit documents by mail, the only way they know the plates have been sent is the cashed check. Understandably, that means fleet managers tend to check in frequently with the accounting department, which has better things to do, to see if payment has gone through. With Sticker Quicker, you\u2019ll never have to check the status of your order because you\u2019ll have it in 1-2 days.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>When your license plates are lost, stolen or damaged, <\/strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.stickerquicker.com\"><strong>Sticker Quicker<\/strong><\/a><strong> is the fastest, most convenient way to get replacements. Get started today.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Vehicle types that fall under DMV Form Categories<\/strong><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>* Use<a href=\"https:\/\/www.dmv.ca.gov\/dmv\/detail\/forms\/reg\/reg156\"> REG 156<\/a> for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Auto<\/li><li>Commercial<\/li><li>Trailer<\/li><li>Motorcycle<\/li><li>Permanent trailer identification (PTI)<\/li><li>Disabled person<\/li><li>Disabled veteran<\/li><li>Exempt<\/li><li>Foreign organization<\/li><li>Off-highway vehicle ID<\/li><li>Tow Dolly<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>*Use<a href=\"https:\/\/www.dmv.ca.gov\/dmv\/detail\/forms\/reg\/reg17\"> REG 17<\/a> for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Breast Cancer Awareness<\/li><li>California 1960s Legacy<\/li><li>California Agriculture (CalAg)<\/li><li>California Arts Council<\/li><li>California Coastal Commission (Whale Tail)<\/li><li>California Memorial<\/li><li>California Museums (Snoopy)<\/li><li>Collegiate (only UCLA is available)<\/li><li>Environmental License Plate (ELP)<\/li><li>Kids\u2013Child Health and Safety Funds<\/li><li>Lake Tahoe Conservancy<\/li><li>Pet Lover&#8217;s<\/li><li>Veterans Organization (see logo codes at <a href=\"http:\/\/www.calvet.ca.gov\">www.calvet.ca.gov<\/a>)<\/li><li>Yosemite Foundation<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>*Use<a href=\"https:\/\/www.dmv.ca.gov\/dmv\/detail\/forms\/reg\/reg17a\"> REG 17A<\/a> for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Amateur Radio License<\/li><li>Antique Motorcycle<\/li><li>California Firefighter<\/li><li>Congressional Medal of Honor<\/li><li>Ex-Prisoner of War (POW)<\/li><li>Gold Star Family<\/li><li>Historical Vehicle<\/li><li>Honorary Consul<\/li><li>Horseless Carriage<\/li><li>Legion of Valor<\/li><li>Pearl Harbor Survivor<\/li><li>Press Photographer<\/li><li>Purple Heart Recipient<\/li><\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Three ways to get a replacement license plate and the steps to take If your license plate has been lost, stolen or damaged, you\u2019ll need to get a replacement quickly in order to avoid a citation. In California, you have three options to get replacement license plates: in person, by mail or through a DMV-approved<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":3720,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[29,28,1],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-3719","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-dmv-registration-renewal","8":"category-dmv-title-transfers","9":"category-uncategorized"},"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.stickerquicker.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Copy-of-DMV-BLOGS-2.png","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stickerquicker.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3719","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stickerquicker.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stickerquicker.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stickerquicker.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stickerquicker.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3719"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.stickerquicker.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3719\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3722,"href":"https:\/\/www.stickerquicker.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3719\/revisions\/3722"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stickerquicker.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3720"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stickerquicker.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3719"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stickerquicker.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3719"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stickerquicker.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3719"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}