Q: Someone stole my brand new registration sticker off of my license plate! How do I get a replacement sticker, and do I have to pay any kind of replacement fee?
A: If the year sticker for your currently registered vehicle has been lost, stolen, mutilated or is illegible, you may request a replacement sticker and pay a substitute fee of $17.00. Complete an Application for Replacement Plates, Stickers, Documents (REG 156) found on the DMV's Web site at www.dmv.ca.gov/forms/reg/reg156.pdf. Submit the form with the required fee to your local DMV office, and remember, for faster service, schedule an appointment online. Or you may mail the application with the fee to:
Department of Motor Vehicles
PO Box 942869
Sacramento, CA 94269-0001
Q: I failed the behind-the-wheel portion of my driver's test. Can I protest my score?
A: If you failed your behind the wheel driving test, you cannot protest the score you received, but you may take the behind the wheel exam up to three times. The DMV requires that you wait at least two weeks before you attempt to take the test again. If after the third time you still need to pass the behind the wheel exam, you must start the application process over from the beginning. There is also a required retest fee for the second and third times that you take the behind the wheel exam. The DMV offers Californians many resources that can help prepare them for safe driving practices. Log onto the DMV Web site at www.DMV.ca.gov and click on the "Publications" tab to download important driver information, including the latest California Driver Handbook, which is available in nine different languages including, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Punjabi and Vietnamese.
Q: Can I register to vote or change my party affiliation on the DMV Web site?
A: While you can register to vote or change your party affiliation at the DMV, these services are not yet available directly on the DMV's Web site. However, using the DMV's online services, you can access the California Secretary of State's Web site where you can register to vote or change your party affiliation. It is important to note that if you are registering to vote for the first time or are changing your name or party affiliation, you must complete a voter registration form at the Secretary of State site. Once you submit the online form, the Secretary of State Elections Division office will mail you a completed form. You must sign, date and return the form in order for your voter registration to be complete. If you prefer to handle this in person or are going into the DMV to conduct another transaction, you can give your completed voter registration form to any DMV staff person and the DMV will mail it to the Secretary of State Elections Division database office for updating. Even if you are not conducting business with the DMV, you may pick up a Voter Registration form at any DMV office.
"Save Time by Going Online" with the DMV at www.dmv.ca.gov. 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.