Kind of a stupid topic I know, but I recently renewed both my car's registration and also my wife's car. I paid mine by Internet where I can only pay by credit/debit card, and on the last day. If I mailed in a check (a check or money order is the only payment accepted for mail-in renewals) I would get the same form. The form is a single piece of paper with the registration sticker on section with a perforation that's meant to be torn off. Here's a sample from the California DMV. Kind of old, but nothing has really changed. It's mailed in a small envelope. There's also preprinted text on the back about having to keep it or a copy in the vehicle and to keep proof of insurance or liability.
![[Linked Image]](https://www.dmv.ca.gov/imageserver/dmv/images/vr/regcard_w_arrow2.jpg "[Linked Image]")
But my wife's was due and we headed for the local AAA (Northern California) office, which has limited DMV services. I remember they used to have a dedicated DMV services counter, but now it's just in the same line as all other membership/payment/etc. I could have also done this at my local California DMV office if I really wanted to wait 2 hours in line. They'll laser print (might have been dot matrix years ago) to an 8.5"x11" perforated piece of paper and fold it in half. The registration sticker will come from a roll where they're wrapped in plastic where the sticker number is noted on the registration form, and then stapled (I was told it has to be stapled) to the registration form. Here's a sample from some California DMV training exercise:
![[Linked Image]](https://slideplayer.com/slide/5704901/18/images/6/Validated+Registration+Card+Resulting+from+DMV+Automation.jpg "[Linked Image]")
Also - one is considered to have "paid" the registration as long as it's in the mail. I think there's a 2 week period where there's no penalty. I've mailed in my payment late before and got a supplemental bill to pay the penalty. Paying online or in person they'll only accept the full amount including the penalty.
But my wife's was due and we headed for the local AAA (Northern California) office, which has limited DMV services. I remember they used to have a dedicated DMV services counter, but now it's just in the same line as all other membership/payment/etc. I could have also done this at my local California DMV office if I really wanted to wait 2 hours in line. They'll laser print (might have been dot matrix years ago) to an 8.5"x11" perforated piece of paper and fold it in half. The registration sticker will come from a roll where they're wrapped in plastic where the sticker number is noted on the registration form, and then stapled (I was told it has to be stapled) to the registration form. Here's a sample from some California DMV training exercise:
Also - one is considered to have "paid" the registration as long as it's in the mail. I think there's a 2 week period where there's no penalty. I've mailed in my payment late before and got a supplemental bill to pay the penalty. Paying online or in person they'll only accept the full amount including the penalty.
![[Linked Image]](http://www.2040-parts.com/_content/items/images/49/1753649/001.jpg "[Linked Image]")
