California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) DMV purposefuly not sending registration renewal in order to obtain additional late fees San Jose, California

Ok...first of all, it is YOUR responsibility to 1) know when your registration is due, 2) know your license place number, 3) notify DMV of any address changes.

Second DMV does NOT send out monthly reminders if you do not pay for your registration.  A notice is sent out approx 70 days prior to your renewal date. (Unless the legislature puts a hold on the renewals so they can either raise the fees or adjust the VLF because of the budget). Approx 45 days after the expiration of your registration a delinquent notice is sent out.  If the fees aren't paid then several mons down the road then a notice is sent from Franchise Tax.  But thats 6 mons down the road.  If its sent at all.

I realize it's much more dramatic and effective to make DMV look like the bad guy.  Heck everyone does it.  But remember...it's your car, not DMV's.  You are not only responsible for knowing when the registration expires, but when the insurance is due, etc.  You don't expect the mechanic to remind you when to change the oil do you? 

Here are a few suggestions to prevent this from happening again.

1) Remember...your car has a birthday just like you do.  You have to buy it a tag for it's birthday every year. 

2) Memorize the license plate number.  If the car is stolen you have to provide the plate number to police so they can find it for you.  If you have trouble remembering it...try to do it phonetically.  6STE247  example 6 Some Tags Expire 24/7.  or 6BOJ235 > 6 BACK OFF JACK 2+3=5.

3) Make a note in your day planner or on your computer when your tags are due and if you don't get a notice before that date, then take your reg card to DMV and find out whats up.

You are not the first person to feel persecuted by the DMV, but it is your own paranoia.  DMV has way too much on their plate to purposely withhold renewal notices for revenue.  Especially since the penalties are usually waived when a customer signs a statement of facts that they did not receive the renewal notice. 

It never fails to amaze me that people are always blaming everyone but themselves.  It is your personal responsibility to keep up with things like registration.  It is a COURTESY of the DMV to send a notice at all.