Planned Non-Operation (PNO) in California: rules, deadlines and how to reinstate
If a vehicle will sit unused for a full registration year, PNO lets you skip full renewal. Here is who it is for, when to file, the parking catch, and what to do when you want to drive again.
General information based on official DMV and DOJ sources, not legal advice.
All guidesLast reviewed: October 2026. Registration Leaders is a private business, not the California DMV or any government agency. This guide is general information based on DMV publications; check with the DMV for your exact fees and forms.
The short answer
Planned Non-Operation (PNO) tells the DMV that your vehicle will not be driven, towed, stored or parked on public roads or highways for the whole registration year. In return you pay a reduced PNO fee instead of full renewal. It is a good fit for a stored or under-repair vehicle that truly stays off the road, and a poor fit for anything you might park on the street.
Who PNO is for
- A vehicle being restored or repaired in a garage
- A classic or seasonal vehicle stored for the full year
- A second or inherited vehicle you are not ready to sell and will not drive
Park trailers, trailer coaches, vessels, special equipment and mopeds or motorized bicycles cannot be placed on PNO status, according to the DMV.
Deadlines
The DMV accepts a PNO filing up to 60 days before your registration expires and up to 90 days after it expires. Filing after the expiration date adds penalties based on the full registration renewal amount on top of the PNO fee, so file before the date. Off-highway vehicles must be filed before the registration expires, or the option is lost.
How to file
- Look at your renewal notice. It shows the PNO fee and may have a PNO box to check. Confirm the address is current; update it first if not.
- File online at dmv.ca.gov, or mail a completed Certificate of Non-Operation/Planned Non-Operation Certification (REG 102) with your payment to the address on the form.
- Keep the vehicle off public roads. If it is operated or parked where it may be cited at any time, the DMV says full registration fees and penalties for that year become due.
The PNO fee is shown on your renewal notice, so we do not quote an amount here. The DMV also charges its normal fees if you pay late.
Putting the vehicle back on the road
- Pay the full registration renewal fees on or before the date of first operation, to avoid penalties
- Get a smog certification if your vehicle is subject to one when it renews
- Carry current proof of insurance before you drive
- For a single trip, such as a drive to a smog station, ask the DMV about a one-day moving permit (REG 172), which the DMV says is available without paying renewal fees
Selling a vehicle on PNO
Changing ownership is a separate transaction. The same title transfer steps apply, including the seller's release of liability; see our title transfer guide.
Official sources
- Official source: California DMV, Planned Nonoperation Filing
Need to renew after a PNO?
Registration Leaders is a private business contracted through the DMV Business Partner Automation program, not the DMV. When you are ready to drive again, we can process your registration renewal for $55 + DMV fees; DMV fees vary by vehicle and are paid in addition to our service fee, and sales tax is collected on service fees. Walk-ins and appointments welcome, open 7 days; call (916) 595-8128 first, or book an appointment.
Frequently asked questions.
What is Planned Non-Operation in California?
Planned Non-Operation, or PNO, is a DMV status for a vehicle that will not be driven, towed, stored or parked on public roads or highways for the entire registration year. Filing it means you do not pay full registration renewal for that year; you pay a PNO fee instead, which your renewal notice shows. It suits a project car, a stored classic, or a second vehicle that stays in a garage or on private property. Registration Leaders is a private business, not the DMV, so confirm your exact situation with the DMV.
When do I have to file a PNO?
The DMV accepts a PNO filing up to 60 days before your registration expires and up to 90 days after it expires. If you pay after the expiration date, penalties based on the full registration renewal amount are due in addition to the PNO fee. Filing before the expiration date avoids those penalties, so check your renewal notice early.
Can I park a PNO vehicle on the street?
No. The DMV says that if the vehicle is operated or parked anywhere it may be subject to citation at any time, full registration fees and penalties for that year become due. A PNO vehicle should be kept on private property, such as a garage or driveway. If you are not sure whether your parking spot counts, ask the DMV before you file.
How do I put my vehicle back on the road after a PNO?
Pay the full registration renewal fees on or before the date you first operate the vehicle, to avoid penalties. Your vehicle may also need a smog certification at that time, depending on its type and age, so see our smog check guide. If you only need to move it once, the DMV says a one-day moving permit is available without paying renewal fees. We can renew your registration for $55 + DMV fees once you have the paperwork.
Can I file a PNO online?
Yes. The DMV lets you file a PNO online at dmv.ca.gov, or by mail using the Certificate of Non-Operation/Planned Non-Operation Certification (REG 102). Some renewal notices include a PNO box you can check. Make sure your address on the notice is current before you file, and update it first if it is not.
What vehicles cannot be placed in PNO status?
The DMV says park trailers, trailer coaches, vessels, special equipment and mopeds or motorized bicycles cannot be placed on PNO status. Off-highway vehicles follow their own rule and must be filed before the registration expires. Call the DMV or us if your vehicle is a type you are unsure about.
Ready to get it done?
Walk-ins and appointments welcome, Monday to Friday, 10am to 9pm, Saturday, 10am to 4pm, and Sunday, 12pm to 4pm. Call first; we confirm booked times by text or email.