- A payment is considered dishonored and the dishonored check service fee is due if, for any reason, DMV is unable to deduct funds from your account.
- The registration fees are subject to penalties if the dishonored check remains unpaid after the vehicle’s registration expiration date, regardless of when you received the dishonored check Demand for Payment letter.
If repayment of the total amount due (as stated in the Demand for Payment letter) is mailed (postmarked) to DMV:
- Before the registration expiration date, the registration penalties will be refunded to you.
- After the registration expiration date, but within 30 days of the expiration date, a portion of the penalty fees may be refunded to you.
If DMV is unable to deduct funds from your account because of a bank error, you must submit a letter from the bank explaining their error. The letter must have the bank’s letterhead, the check number, and the dollar amount of the check. Send all of the following to the Revenue Service Support Unit:
- The bank’s letter.
- A money order or cashier’s check made payable to DMV for the total amount due as stated in the Demand for Payment letter.
- Your full name.
- The dishonored check account number (located in upper right corner of demand letter).
- The vehicle license plate number (if the check was for a vehicle).
- Your driver’s license number or identification card number (if the check was for a driver’s license or identification card).
Mail to:
DMV
Revenue Services Support Unit
Mail Station C140
PO Box 825341
Sacramento, CA 94232-5341
DMV will review the bank’s letter to determine if the dishonored check fee may be refunded. If the dishonored check was for vehicle registration, DMV will also review to determine if the registration penalties may be fully or partially refunded.
How can I clear a dishonored check account if I did not submit the check for payment, or if the check wasn't written on my behalf? plus minus
If you received a notification of a dishonored check or refund in error from DMV and you did not submit the check payment and you are not the registered owner of the vehicle indicated in the letter (or are not the person the driver’s license or identification card was issued to), provide a written explanation and mail to:
DMV
Revenue Services Support Unit
Mail Station C140
PO Box 825341
Sacramento, CA 94232-5341
Include copies of any papers that prove your claim. DMV will research your claim and contact you with the outcome. You may also call the Revenue Services Support Unit at (916) 657-8101 for additional information.
If someone else submitted the check for me or my vehicle, and their check was dishonored; who is responsible to reimburse the DMV? plus minus
You are responsible for the payment of the fees and any resulting penalties. If a check was written for you by someone other than yourself and submitted to DMV to pay for your driver’s license, identification card, or your vehicle registration and the check was returned by the bank (dishonored), the payment remains your responsibility.
After making the payment for my vehicle registration renewal I discovered that I don't have enough money in the account. I haven't received a notice from DMV about the dishonored check yet. What can I do? plus minus
Once your payment is processed and returned by the bank, DMV will automatically send you a Demand for Payment letter and will be unable to stop the dishonored check from occurring. However, if you are able to pay your fees (with another payment method) before your vehicle registration expires, you may be able to avoid penalties. The dishonored check service fee will still be due.
Submit your registration payment as soon as possible and be sure to retain the receipt. When you receive the dishonored check Demand for Payment letter, submit the letter, a money order, or cashier’s check for the dishonored check service fee, and a copy of your repayment receipt to:
DMV
Revenue Services Support Unit
Mail Station C140
PO Box 825341
Sacramento, CA 94232-5341
I already paid for my dishonored check, why did I receive another Demand for Payment letter? plus minus
If you have received a Demand for Payment letter, and full payment was submitted within the last 30 days, please disregard the letter. The Demand for Payment letters are printed in advance and do not reflect recent payments.
My driver's license or identification card was cancelled due to a dishonored check. I paid for all the dishonored check fees I owed; do I still need to surrender my driver's license or identification card? plus minus
Contact the Driver Safety Mandatory Action Unit at (916) 657-6525 to ask about the cancellation status of your driver’s license or identification card.
I paid my registration online with my bank information. My bank record does not show a returned check nor any attempt to deduct funds. However, I received a letter from DMV stating my check did not clear my bank. If my bank information did not clear, why did I receive my registration card/sticker or my driver's license or identification card? plus minus
As a courtesy to our customers, the registration card/sticker or driver’s license/identification card is mailed before the bank information is verified by the bank. If any of the bank information submitted to DMV is incorrect, DMV will not be able to locate your account and your bank will not show an inquiry or withdrawal. If the bank information cannot be verified by the bank, it becomes a non-payment and a dishonored check account is created.
When making a payment using bank information, you must enter your checking account number and your bank routing number. Common mistakes that prevent bank information from being verified are:
- Using a deposit slip to key the routing number.
- Including a check number with the account number.
- Entering credit card information in the check field.
During the online transaction using your bank information for payment, the department advises customers that if DMV cannot deduct the payment from your account for any reason, a service fee will be charged. If the payment is for vehicle registration, you will also be subject to late registration payment penalties.
What is the difference between paying with my bank information and a debit/credit card payment? plus minus
Paying with your bank information is an electronic way of paying for your transaction using your bank’s routing and account numbers to obtain payment from your bank. These payments are verified with your bank after you finish your DMV transaction. With debit or credit card payments, DMV obtains a payment authorization before you finish the DMV transaction.
