March 26, 2009

Answers to common DMV questions

Do you have questions about general driving related requirements like registration and insurance? Are you unclear about laws and restrictions related to driving? The California Department of Motor Vehicles has answers.

Q: I’m looking for the DMV office closest to my home. Does your Web site have a list of offices?

A: Absolutely – Our Web site has an office locator that can find any DMV field office in California. Go to www.dmv.ca.gov/fo/regions/california.htm and click on your city or region to find the office nearest you.

Q: I recently included late fees with my car registration payment by mistake. I sent my payment in on time. Is there an easy way for me to receive a refund for the fees?

A: Actually, our remittance processing system will automatically generate a refund check to you for any fees that were not due. You should receive a check within 10 business days.

Q: I have noticed what appear to be California DMV driver license photos on numerous local TV news programs (San Francisco/Oakland area). Does the DMV release driver license photos to the media or other parties? If so, under what circumstances?

A: The Department’s policy is not to release DMV photographs unless they are deceased and notification of next of kin has been verified. In those events, photos are released only to law enforcement agencies and not to the public.

Q: Can I register to vote online through the DMV Web site?

A: Yes, you can. The DMV Web site at http://www.dmv.ca.gov/online/onlinesvcs.htm offers a direct link to the secretary of state’s Web site where you can register to vote or you may link directly to their web site at http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/elections.htm.

Q: What are the instructions for driving in roundabouts and who has the right of way?

A: There are some very basic instructions about how to drive through a roundabout. Slow down as you approach the intersection and watch for any pedestrians. If you are entering the roundabout from a street with two lanes of traffic, both the inside and outside lanes can turn right into the roundabout but the vehicle to the right will have the right of way.

Watch for vehicles that are already in the roundabout or are to your right. In a residential area there is only one lane entering the roundabout so keep an eye on vehicle already on the roundabout. Enter the roundabout once there is a gap in traffic flow. Always drive through roundabouts in a counter-clockwise direction until you reach your exit and use your turn signal to indicate your direction. Should you happen to miss your exit, just continue driving around the roundabout until you return to it.

Q: I want to buy a car from another individual but how can I find out if it’s salvaged or not?

A: First, take a look at the title of the vehicle. This will tell you if the vehicle is salvaged, the number of miles it had when it was last sold and who the owner of record is. Although sellers and dealerships are required to disclose the vehicle’s salvage title and history when a vehicle is sold, it can be quite difficult to enforce, particularly when cars come from another state. It is especially important to make sure that the seller of the vehicle is the owner or the authorized agent for the owner and if not, this person isn’t entitled to sell the vehicle, and you are not entitled to buy it. If the seller’s name is not on the title, there must be documentation, such as a bill of sale, dealer report of sale, or power of attorney, authorizing that person to sell the vehicle.

For more clues on determining if a vehicle has an undisclosed salvaged history, visit http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/brochures/fast_facts/ffvr33.htm.

Q: I found the perfect vehicle for my wife for sale in another state. Does the California DMV offer a free or cost effective way to check if it’s been storm damaged?

A: Yes. All you need is the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). Visit http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/brochures/fast_facts/ffvr33.htm, scroll down to the bottom and click on Free Online Service to Identify Storm Damaged Vehicles. Here, you’ll be able to find out if the vehicle has been issued a state-title brand, reported by the dealer or company as storm damaged or was last registered or titled in affected areas or within the 12 months prior to a storm.

The DMV is a department under the Business, Transportation and Housing Agency, which is under the direction of Secretary Dale E. Bonner. The DMV licenses drivers, maintains driving records, registers and tracks official ownership of vehicles and vessels, investigates auto and identity-related fraud, and licenses car dealers, driving schools, and traffic violator schools. For more information about the DMV, visit www.dmv.ca.gov.