California Form REG 31, the Verification of Vehicle, is the official California Department of Motor Vehicles document a peace officer, DMV employee, licensed vehicle verifier, or authorized auto club representative completes to confirm a vehicle’s identifying numbers, federal labels, and physical condition before the DMV will register it. The form exists because California will not title or register a vehicle that arrives from out of state, that was specially constructed, that was revived from a salvage certificate, or that has any altered identification numbers until a trained verifier physically inspects it and signs off on what they see.
Roughly 700,000 vehicles are brought into California from other states each year, and the DMV reports that incomplete or illegible REG 31 forms are one of the top three reasons new-resident registration packets get rejected at the counter. A rejected REG 31 stops the entire registration process, restarts the clock on the 20-day new-resident deadline under California Vehicle Code § 6700, and can trigger late penalties starting at $30 plus a 40% registration penalty.
Here is what you will learn in this guide:
- 📝 What every box, line, and signature block on REG 31 actually asks for and how to answer it
- 🔍 Where to find the federal safety label, emission label, VIN plate, and engine number on different vehicle types
- 🚗 Three full filled-out walkthroughs covering an out-of-state move, a specially constructed kit car, and a revived salvage vehicle
- ⚠️ The ten most common REG 31 mistakes and the exact registration consequence each one triggers
- 💵 Every filing channel, fee, processing time, and proof-of-filing you need to keep so your registration sticks the first time
This article is current as of the REG 31 (Rev. 4/2023) revision printed in the lower-left corner of the official PDF. Always confirm you are using that revision or a newer one before you start writing.
What the Form Is and Who Must File It
California Form REG 31 is a one-page Verification of Vehicle that records the vehicle identification number (VIN), engine number, federal safety certification label, federal emission label, odometer reading, body type, and other identifying data of a specific vehicle, certified by an authorized verifier’s signature. The form is required by California Vehicle Code § 5505 and Title 13 of the California Code of Regulations, and the DMV’s procedures are spelled out in Chapter 6 of the Vehicle Industry Registration Procedures (VIRP) manual that licensed verifiers must follow.
You must have a REG 31 completed in any of the following situations: registering a vehicle last titled in another U.S. state, U.S. territory, or foreign country; registering a specially constructed, kit, or homemade vehicle or trailer; reviving a vehicle that was issued a salvage certificate under California Vehicle Code § 11515; registering a vehicle whose VIN, engine number, or federal safety label is missing, altered, defaced, or replaced; and certain commercial fleet transfers where the DMV requests proof of the vehicle’s current physical identity.
The verifier is not the vehicle owner. Only four categories of people are authorized to complete and sign REG 31: a sworn California peace officer (most often a California Highway Patrol inspector at a CHP VIN inspection site), a DMV employee at a field office, a licensed vehicle verifier holding a current VR license, or an authorized AAA Auto Club employee acting under a DMV business partner agreement. The owner’s job is to bring the vehicle, the keys, the title, and any supporting paperwork to the verifier and to make sure the verifier can physically reach every label and number on the vehicle.
If you skip REG 31 when one of the situations above applies, the DMV will refuse to issue a California title or plates, and you will keep accruing late penalties for every day past the 20-day new-resident deadline or the 10-day private-sale deadline under California Vehicle Code § 4152.5.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Gather everything before you drive to the verification appointment. A verifier will turn you away if the vehicle is not present, if the engine cannot be started, or if the title is missing, and you will pay the verification fee a second time when you come back.
Use this pre-filing checklist. Each item matters for a specific reason, and missing any one of them stops the form cold.
- The vehicle itself, drivable or trailered to the inspection location, because REG 31 requires a physical inspection and the verifier must read the labels with their own eyes; without the vehicle, no signature.
- The original out-of-state title or, for salvage revivals, the original salvage certificate, because the verifier compares the title VIN against the VIN stamped on the dash and door jamb to detect title-washing.
- A government-issued photo ID for the owner, because the verifier writes the owner’s name on REG 31 and must confirm it matches the title.
- The vehicle’s keys, including any locking gas cap or hood release key, because the verifier may need to open the hood to read the federal emission label and engine number.
- A clean, readable federal safety certification label (usually on the driver’s door jamb), because federal law under 49 CFR § 567 requires it and the DMV will not register a passenger vehicle without it.
- A clean, readable federal emission label under the hood, because California Air Resources Board rules require the verifier to confirm the vehicle was built to U.S. or California emission standards.
- The current odometer reading, written down before you leave home, because the verifier records mileage on REG 31 and on the federal odometer disclosure required by the Truth in Mileage Act.
- A completed Application for Title or Registration (REG 343) and, if needed, a Statement of Facts (REG 256), because REG 31 travels with these forms in the same registration packet.
- A current California smog certificate for most vehicles older than four model years, because the smog station’s STAR data must match the VIN on REG 31.
- A weight certificate (REG 4008) for pickups and commercial trucks, because the unladen weight written on REG 31 must align with the certified scale ticket.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
The official, fillable REG 31 PDF lives on the DMV’s forms library at dmv.ca.gov forms. The DMV updates the file periodically, and only the version with the current revision date in the lower-left corner is accepted. Printing an outdated copy from a third-party site is one of the fastest ways to get bounced from the counter.
You cannot complete REG 31 entirely online because the verifier’s wet signature is required. You can, however, download the PDF, fill in the owner-information fields on a computer, print it on plain white paper, and bring it to the verifier so they only have to add the inspection data and sign. Some licensed verifiers carry their own pre-printed REG 31 stock and will not accept a homeowner-printed copy; call ahead.
Hard copies are also available at every DMV field office, at most CHP area offices that conduct VIN verifications, and at participating AAA branches for AAA members. The DMV does not charge for the blank form itself, but the verifier may charge a service fee that we cover later.
If you are a licensed vehicle verifier or an auto-dealer employee, you can pull REG 31 directly from the Business Partner Automation (BPA) portal, which prints the form with the verifier’s license number already populated.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out REG 31 Line by Line
REG 31 is one page divided into four logical zones: the vehicle identification block at the top, the vehicle data block in the middle, the certification statements, and the verifier signature block at the bottom. Walk through every field in the order printed on the form. Each H3 below covers one field with the same six elements: plain English meaning, how to answer, a sample entry, an edge case, the most common mistake plus its consequence, and the misconception filers carry into the box.
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
The VIN box asks for the 17-character Vehicle Identification Number assigned by the manufacturer. It is the single most important field on the entire form because every other DMV record is keyed to it.
To answer it, copy the VIN exactly as it is stamped on the dash plate visible through the windshield, in all capital letters with no spaces and no dashes. The verifier will then independently confirm the same VIN on the door jamb sticker, the engine block, and the title.
Sample entry: Maria Lopez’s 2019 Honda Civic shows 2HGFC2F69KH123456 on the dash, and the verifier writes 2HGFC2F69KH123456 in the VIN box.
Edge case: pre-1981 vehicles often have shorter, non-standard VINs of 11 to 13 characters; in that situation the verifier writes the full character string exactly as stamped, even if it is shorter than 17 characters, and notes the year on the form.
Common mistake and consequence: writing the letter O instead of the number 0, or I instead of 1, will cause the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS) lookup to fail, and the DMV clerk will reject the entire registration packet.
Misconception: many owners think the VIN on the insurance card is authoritative; it is not, because insurance databases are frequently transcribed from prior records and may carry forward an old typo. The stamped dash plate always wins.
Make
The Make field asks for the manufacturer of the vehicle, abbreviated to the DMV’s three- or four-letter code.
To answer it, use the codes in the DMV Make Abbreviations list inside the VIRP manual, such as HOND for Honda, TOYT for Toyota, FORD for Ford, CHEV for Chevrolet, and MERZ for Mercedes-Benz. Do not spell out the full name.
Sample entry: a verifier inspecting Maria’s Honda writes HOND in the Make box.
Edge case: for a specially constructed vehicle, the Make is SPCN, not the kit manufacturer; for a homemade trailer it is HMDE.
Common mistake and consequence: writing HONDA instead of HOND causes the DMV mainframe to flag a code mismatch, and the registration packet is set aside for manual data entry, adding two to four weeks to processing.
Misconception: filers often think the Make on the title controls; it does, but only after translation to the four-letter DMV code, and the verifier is responsible for that translation.
Year Model
The Year Model field asks for the four-digit model year of the vehicle, not the calendar year of purchase.
To answer it, look at position 10 of the VIN (the model-year character) and confirm it against the title. Write the full four digits, for example 2019.
Sample entry: Maria’s Civic shows a K in position 10 of the VIN, which decodes to 2019, and the verifier writes 2019.
Edge case: for a specially constructed vehicle, the year model is the year the build was completed, supported by receipts and the Statement of Construction (REG 5036).
Common mistake and consequence: writing the calendar year of purchase (e.g., 2024) for a 2019 vehicle creates a permanent year mismatch in the title record and forces a corrected title later at additional cost.
Misconception: the year on the registration sticker from another state is not always the model year; some states display the year of last registration, so always decode the VIN.
Body Type Model
The Body Type Model field asks for the DMV’s three-letter body code that describes the shape of the vehicle, such as 4DR for four-door sedan, 2DR for two-door coupe, SUV for sport utility, PUP for pickup, and MTC for motorcycle.
To answer it, match the vehicle’s actual body to the body-type code list in the VIRP manual.
Sample entry: Maria’s four-door Civic gets 4DR.
Edge case: a Jeep Wrangler with a removable hardtop is still SUV, not convertible, because the DMV codes from the VIN-declared body, not the day-of-inspection configuration.
Common mistake and consequence: coding a crew-cab pickup as 4DR instead of PUP changes the registration class and the weight fee, and the DMV will issue a corrected billing notice that often arrives after the registration is already late.
Misconception: people assume truck and pickup are interchangeable; the DMV distinguishes PUP (pickup) from TRK (commercial truck) by gross vehicle weight rating.
Motor (Engine) Number
The Motor Number field asks for the engine identification number stamped on the engine block, which is separate from the VIN on most vehicles built before 1972 and on motorcycles, kit cars, and many heavy trucks.
To answer it, the verifier physically locates the stamped number on the block (often near the bell housing or on a machined pad) and copies it exactly. On modern unibody cars where no separate engine number exists, write SAME AS VIN or leave blank only if the VIRP manual instructs.
Sample entry: a 1968 Chevrolet Camaro’s verifier writes V0518MO after reading the pad in front of the passenger-side cylinder head.
Edge case: a swapped engine in a specially constructed vehicle requires the original engine receipt and a Statement of Facts (REG 256) explaining the swap.
Common mistake and consequence: leaving Motor Number blank on a pre-1972 vehicle causes automatic rejection, because California still tracks engine numbers separately for those model years.
Misconception: filers think any number cast into the block counts; only the stamped (not cast) number is the engine identification number.
Odometer Reading
The Odometer field asks for the current mileage displayed on the vehicle’s odometer at the moment of inspection.
To answer it, the verifier reads the dashboard, ignores tenths, and writes the whole-number mileage. If the odometer is broken, exceeds mechanical limits, or is in kilometers, the verifier checks the appropriate box and notes the condition.
Sample entry: Maria’s Civic reads 47,213, and the verifier writes 47213.
Edge case: a vehicle with a digital odometer that needs the ignition on; the verifier asks the owner to turn the key to the On position so the display lights up.
Common mistake and consequence: writing 47,213.5 instead of 47213 triggers an odometer-disclosure mismatch with the federal odometer statement, and the title is held until the discrepancy is corrected by a sworn statement.
Misconception: owners think mileage rounded to the nearest thousand is acceptable; it is not, and any rounding can support a fraud finding under California Vehicle Code § 28051.
Federal Safety Certification Label
This box asks whether the vehicle has the manufacturer’s safety certification label required by 49 CFR § 567, typically on the driver’s door jamb, the door edge, or the B-pillar.
To answer it, the verifier inspects the label, then checks Yes, No, or Altered. If Yes, the verifier confirms the VIN on the label matches the dash VIN.
Sample entry: Maria’s Civic has an intact, legible label, and the verifier checks Yes.
Edge case: a repainted door jamb that obscured the label requires the verifier to check Altered and write a Statement of Facts; the DMV will refer the vehicle to CHP for a deeper inspection.
Common mistake and consequence: checking Yes when the label is missing causes the registration to be voided after the fact, and the verifier can lose their VR license under 13 CCR § 296.00.
Misconception: people believe a tire-pressure sticker is the safety label; it is not. The safety label specifically reads This vehicle conforms to all applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
Federal Emission Label
This box asks whether the vehicle has the federal emission control information label required by 40 CFR § 86 and, where applicable, the supplemental California emission label under CARB rules.
To answer it, the verifier opens the hood, locates the label on the underside of the hood, the radiator support, or the strut tower, and checks Yes, No, or Altered. The verifier also notes whether the label says 50-state or Federal only.
Sample entry: Maria’s Civic shows a California emission label, and the verifier checks Yes and writes 50-state on the form.
Edge case: a gray-market import without a U.S. emission label cannot be registered as a passenger vehicle; the verifier checks No and the owner must obtain a CARB exemption letter.
Common mistake and consequence: missing this label means the Bureau of Automotive Repair cannot match the vehicle to a smog reference, and the smog certificate will not transfer; registration stalls until CARB issues a letter.
Misconception: owners think a passing smog test substitutes for the label; it does not, because the label proves the vehicle was built to the standard, not just that it passes today.
Unladen Weight
The Unladen Weight field asks for the vehicle’s empty weight, in pounds, including all fluids but no cargo or passengers.
To answer it, the verifier copies the weight from the manufacturer’s plate or, for trucks and trailers, from a certified scale ticket on REG 4008.
Sample entry: Maria’s Civic’s door-jamb sticker shows 2906 lbs, and the verifier writes 2906.
Edge case: a specially constructed trailer with no manufacturer plate requires a public scale weighing and a signed REG 4008.
Common mistake and consequence: copying gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) instead of unladen weight inflates the registration fee and, for pickups, may push the vehicle into a higher commercial classification.
Misconception: filers think curb weight and unladen weight are different; California treats them as the same for REG 31 purposes.
Verifier’s Name, License Number, and Signature
This block asks the verifier to print their full legal name, write their CHP officer badge number, DMV employee number, or VR license number, and sign the form.
To answer it, the verifier prints, writes the license/badge/employee number exactly as issued, and signs in ink. Owners do not sign this block.
Sample entry: licensed verifier Janet Pham, VR 12345, signs and prints her name in the bottom block.
Edge case: an out-of-state notary or police officer cannot sign REG 31; only the four authorized California categories can.
Common mistake and consequence: a missing or illegible license number causes the DMV to reject the form for unauthorized verifier, and the inspection must be redone.
Misconception: owners believe their own signature is required somewhere on REG 31; it is not. REG 31 is a verifier’s certification, not an owner’s declaration.
Date of Inspection
The Date field asks for the calendar date the verifier physically inspected the vehicle, in MM/DD/YYYY format.
To answer it, the verifier writes the inspection date, not the date the owner brings the form to the DMV later.
Sample entry: 03/14/2026.
Edge case: REG 31 is valid for 90 days from the inspection date for ordinary registrations; if the owner waits longer, a new inspection is required.
Common mistake and consequence: an inspection date older than 90 days causes the form to expire, and the DMV refuses it at the counter.
Misconception: owners believe REG 31 lasts a year like a smog certificate; it does not, and stale forms are the second-most-common rejection reason.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
Below are three named filers walking through REG 31 from start to finish. Each table shows the most important fields and what gets entered.
Scenario 1: Maria Lopez moves from Arizona to San Diego with her 2019 Honda Civic. She has 18 days left on her 20-day deadline and visits a licensed AAA verifier.
| Form Section | What Maria’s Verifier Enters |
|---|---|
| VIN | 2HGFC2F69KH123456 |
| Make | HOND |
| Year Model | 2019 |
| Body Type Model | 4DR |
| Motor Number | SAME AS VIN |
| Odometer Reading | 47213 |
| Federal Safety Label | Yes (intact on driver’s door jamb) |
| Federal Emission Label | Yes — 50-state |
| Unladen Weight | 2906 |
| Verifier Name and License | Janet Pham, VR 12345 |
| Date of Inspection | 03/14/2026 |
Scenario 2: Carlos Rivera builds a Factory Five Cobra replica in his Sacramento garage and registers it as a specially constructed vehicle. He brings the kit receipts, the donor-engine bill of sale, and a Statement of Construction (REG 5036) to a CHP VIN inspection appointment.
| Form Section | What Carlos’s CHP Inspector Enters |
|---|---|
| VIN | CA-assigned SPCNS number, e.g., CA987654321 |
| Make | SPCN |
| Year Model | 2026 (year build completed) |
| Body Type Model | 2DR |
| Motor Number | Ford 302 stamped pad: F4TE-AB |
| Odometer Reading | 0012 |
| Federal Safety Label | No — SPCN exempt |
| Federal Emission Label | Yes — CARB referee certificate attached |
| Unladen Weight | 2350 per public scale ticket |
| Verifier Name and Badge | Officer R. Nguyen, CHP #18422 |
| Date of Inspection | 04/02/2026 |
Scenario 3: Aisha Brown buys a flood-totaled 2017 Toyota Tacoma at auction, repairs it, and revives the salvage title in Fresno. She takes the truck to the DMV’s Vehicle Verification window with the salvage certificate and the Brake and Light Inspection certificates.
| Form Section | What Aisha’s DMV Verifier Enters |
|---|---|
| VIN | 3TMCZ5AN9HM123987 |
| Make | TOYT |
| Year Model | 2017 |
| Body Type Model | PUP |
| Motor Number | SAME AS VIN |
| Odometer Reading | 82407 |
| Federal Safety Label | Yes — door jamb intact |
| Federal Emission Label | Yes — 50-state |
| Unladen Weight | 4480 |
| Verifier Name and Employee # | DMV Tech L. Carter, EMP 30781 |
| Date of Inspection | 05/19/2026 |
How to File the Completed Form
Once REG 31 is signed, the owner files it together with the rest of the registration packet. Choose the channel that fits your vehicle and timeline, because not all channels accept all vehicle types.
In person at a DMV field office. Bring REG 31, the REG 343, the out-of-state title or salvage certificate, your smog certificate, proof of insurance, and your ID to any DMV field office. Fees vary by vehicle, but the base registration fee is $74, the California Highway Patrol fee is $32, and the Vehicle License Fee runs 0.65% of the vehicle’s value. Pay by cash, check, money order, debit, or most credit cards. Processing takes 8 to 10 weeks for the title to arrive in the mail; ask the clerk for a stamped DMV receipt as proof of filing.
By mail to the DMV’s central registration unit. Send the original REG 31 and packet to DMV, P.O. Box 942869, Sacramento, CA 94269-0001. Pay by check or money order made out to DMV; do not mail cash. Processing takes 10 to 12 weeks. Use certified mail with a return receipt as your proof of filing because the DMV does not send a confirmation letter.
Through a licensed Business Partner Automation (BPA) provider such as a dealer, registration service, or AAA branch. The provider transmits REG 31 and the packet electronically and prints registration cards and plates the same day. Service fees range from $29 to $75 above DMV fees. Ask for a printed BPA confirmation as proof of filing. Salvage and specially constructed vehicles are not eligible through BPA and must be processed in person.
By fax for fleet and dealer operations only. Fleet operators with a DMV fleet account can fax REG 31 packets to their assigned fleet specialist. Individual owners cannot use this channel.
For every channel, photocopy the signed REG 31 before you let it leave your hands; if the DMV ever loses the original, your photocopy plus the verifier’s records can rebuild the file.
What Happens After You File
After the DMV receives the packet, a clerk keys the REG 31 data into the Automated Vehicle Registration (AVR) system, runs an NMVTIS check against the VIN, and verifies the title chain. If everything matches, the system issues a California title number, prints registration cards, and mails plates and stickers within 8 to 12 weeks.
If any field on REG 31 is illegible, missing, or inconsistent with the title, the packet drops into a manual-review queue handled by the DMV Investigations Branch. You will receive a DMV 14 deficiency letter listing the problem; you have 30 days to cure it before the packet is closed and your fees forfeited.
For salvage revivals, an additional brake and light inspection certificate must clear before plates are issued, and the title is permanently branded Revived Salvage under California Vehicle Code § 11515. For specially constructed vehicles, the DMV assigns a CA- VIN, and the California Air Resources Board referee station issues an emission label that must be affixed before the next smog cycle.
You can track the status by signing into your MyDMV portal, where the Vehicle Registration tile updates as the packet moves from Received to In Process to Issued.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
Avoid these specific REG 31 errors. Each one has a direct registration consequence.
- Writing the VIN with letter O instead of number 0 causes an NMVTIS mismatch and triggers a packet rejection.
- Using HONDA instead of the DMV code HOND in the Make field forces manual data entry and adds two to four weeks.
- Coding a pickup as 4DR instead of PUP creates the wrong fee class and a corrected billing notice arrives after late penalties accrue.
- Leaving Motor Number blank on a pre-1972 vehicle causes automatic rejection because engine numbers are tracked separately for those years.
- Writing the odometer with a decimal causes a federal disclosure mismatch and the title is held until corrected.
- Checking Yes on the Federal Safety Label when the label is missing exposes the verifier to license revocation and voids the registration.
- Submitting an inspection more than 90 days old causes the form to expire and forces a redo, plus a second verification fee.
- Confusing unladen weight with gross vehicle weight rating inflates the fee and may reclassify a pickup as commercial.
- Using a non-California peace officer’s signature is unauthorized and the DMV will reject the form on sight.
- Forgetting to attach the Statement of Construction (REG 5036) for a specially constructed vehicle stalls the assignment of a CA- VIN indefinitely.
- Skipping the smog certificate on vehicles older than four model years stops the packet at the counter even if REG 31 itself is perfect.
- Forgetting to photocopy the signed REG 31 before mailing leaves you with nothing to prove the form ever existed if the DMV loses the original.
Do’s and Don’ts
Do call the verifier ahead of time to confirm fee, hours, and which forms they expect you to bring; some verifiers refuse walk-ins and others accept only their own pre-printed REG 31 stock.
Do clean the door jambs, hood, and dash before the inspection so the verifier can read every label on the first pass; dirt-covered labels cause Altered check marks and trigger CHP referrals.
Do decode the VIN at home using the free NHTSA VIN decoder so you catch any title typos before the verifier copies them onto REG 31.
Do bring exact change or a check made out to DMV for the verification fee, because many CHP and DMV verification windows do not accept credit cards.
Do request a duplicate signed copy of REG 31 from the verifier at the moment of inspection so you have a backup if the DMV original is lost in mail.
Do file within 90 days of the inspection date because the form expires and a fresh inspection costs another fee plus another trip.
Don’t sign anything in the verifier’s signature block; it is reserved for the authorized verifier and a stray owner signature voids the form.
Don’t assume your AAA membership covers REG 31; only some AAA branches are licensed business partners, and the rest will refer you to the DMV.
Don’t file REG 31 without the matching out-of-state title; the DMV cannot title a vehicle on REG 31 alone, and the verification fee is non-refundable.
Don’t attempt to register a gray-market import without a CARB referee letter; REG 31 alone will not overcome the missing federal emission label.
Don’t alter or correct a verifier’s entry on REG 31 yourself, even to fix an obvious typo; any owner-made mark voids the form and constitutes tampering under California Vehicle Code § 4463.
Don’t wait until day 19 of your 20-day new-resident window to start the verification; book the appointment within the first week to leave room for re-inspection if anything is flagged.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
Choosing between a do-it-yourself trip to the DMV or a paid licensed verifier comes down to time, vehicle complexity, and risk tolerance.
Pros of going it alone (DMV or CHP): the inspection is free at CHP and built into the regular DMV transaction fee at a field office; you deal directly with the agency that will key the data, reducing telephone-game errors; you can ask the clerk to scan supporting documents on the spot; you avoid third-party service fees that can reach $75; and you build a personal record at the DMV office that helps later transactions.
Cons of going it alone: DMV field-office wait times average 45 to 90 minutes even with an appointment; CHP VIN inspection sites are open limited hours, often Tuesday through Thursday only; you must transport the vehicle yourself, which is impossible for non-running salvage rebuilds; you absorb the risk of a re-inspection if any label is dirty; and you handle every supporting form yourself with no professional review.
Pros of using a licensed verifier or AAA business partner: licensed verifiers travel to your driveway for non-running vehicles; AAA branches handle both the inspection and the registration filing in one visit; BPA partners issue same-day plates and stickers; verifiers spot missing supporting forms before you submit; and many verifiers have direct DMV phone lines to resolve flagged packets.
Cons of using a licensed verifier: service fees of $50 to $150 are charged on top of DMV fees; not every verifier handles specially constructed or salvage vehicles; some verifiers require their own pre-printed REG 31 stock and refuse downloaded copies; you depend on the verifier’s schedule; and a lost REG 31 in the verifier’s office means starting over with their fee, not a DMV refund.
Comparing CHP, DMV, and Licensed Verifier Channels
| Channel | What to Expect |
|---|---|
| CHP VIN inspection site | No fee, limited hours, accepts altered-VIN and SPCN cases, walk-up only, located at CHP area offices |
| DMV field office verification window | Built into transaction, by appointment, no SPCN, no salvage revival, busy weekday mornings |
| Licensed vehicle verifier (VR) | $50–$150 fee, mobile service available, accepts most cases, fastest scheduling, must show current VR license |
| AAA business partner branch | $29–$75 fee, members only at most branches, combines verification and registration, no SPCN or salvage |
FAQs
Do I sign REG 31 anywhere as the vehicle owner?
No. REG 31 is a verifier’s certification. Only the authorized CHP officer, DMV employee, licensed verifier, or AAA business-partner agent signs the form, never the owner.
Is REG 31 valid forever once signed?
No. REG 31 expires 90 days after the inspection date for ordinary registrations, and the DMV will refuse a stale form at the counter, requiring a new physical inspection.
Do I write HONDA or HOND in the Make field?
No to HONDA. Use the four-letter DMV code HOND from the VIRP manual; spelling it out forces manual data entry and delays the packet two to four weeks.
Can I fill in the Motor Number box myself before the inspection?
No. Only the verifier may complete any field below the owner-information block. Owner entries in verifier fields void the form under California Vehicle Code § 4463.
Yes or no, do I need REG 31 for a vehicle bought from another California resident?
No, not normally. In-state private-party transfers use the existing California title and do not require REG 31 unless the VIN is altered, missing, or the vehicle is being revived from salvage.
Does a smog certificate replace REG 31?
No. Smog and REG 31 verify different things; smog confirms current emissions, while REG 31 confirms identity and federal labels. Both are required for most out-of-state registrations.
Can a notary sign REG 31?
No. A notary is not an authorized verifier under California Vehicle Code § 5505. Only CHP, DMV, licensed VR holders, and AAA business partners may sign.
Yes or no, is the federal safety label the same as the tire-pressure sticker?
No. The federal safety label states that the vehicle conforms to all applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards under 49 CFR § 567; the tire sticker only lists tire pressures.
Do I write unladen weight or GVWR in the Unladen Weight box?
No to GVWR. Write the unladen (curb) weight from the door-jamb plate or scale ticket; using GVWR inflates the fee and may reclassify a pickup as commercial.
Can I use an out-of-state police officer to sign REG 31?
No. Only a sworn California peace officer counts. An out-of-state officer’s signature is unauthorized and the DMV will reject the form on sight.
Yes or no, does REG 31 cost anything?
Yes, sometimes. The blank form is free, CHP inspections are free, DMV verifications are built into transaction fees, and licensed verifiers charge $50 to $150 depending on travel and vehicle type.
Can I file REG 31 entirely online through MyDMV?
No. REG 31 requires a verifier’s wet signature after a physical inspection, so the form cannot be completed online; only the supporting registration packet may be tracked through MyDMV.
Yes or no, do I need REG 31 for a leased vehicle moving from another state?
Yes. Leased vehicles follow the same out-of-state rules; the lessee brings the vehicle, the lessor’s title or registration, and a power of attorney from the leasing company.
Does REG 31 prove I own the vehicle?
No. REG 31 only verifies the vehicle’s physical identity. Ownership is proved by the title, the bill of sale, and the REG 343 application.
Related reading
- How to Fill Out California Form TR-310 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out California Form REG 138 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out California Form REG 195 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out California Form REG 227 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out California Form REG 343 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out California Form REG 4008 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Delaware DMV Application for Duplicate Title (Form MV213) + FAQs