As of January 1, 2007 all insurance carriers are required to report proof of insurance to DMV electronically.  A vehicle with a suspended registration can not be driven OR parked on a California roadway.  It is subject to citation. 

Here are the nuts and bolts of the new vehicle registration financial responsibility program:

If a vehicle registration is suspended, proof of insurance must be submitted with a $14.00 fee to reinstate it.  If a vehicle is insured and the DMV does not receive proof of insurance, one of the main reasons would be an incorrect VIN # on your insurance policy or at the DMV.  This makes it imperative to provide the correct VIN when adding a car to a policy or getting new insurance.  It is also important to respond to VIN requests from your insurance agent.

Proof of insurance must be received within 30 days on a newly acquired vehicle and 45 days from cancelled insurance.

The DMV does not process the suspensions in their offices.  The proof of insurance must be sent to the Financial Responsibility Program.

Vehicle Registration Financial Responsibility Program  

Mail correspondence to:

California Department of Motor Vehicles FRP Program
PO Box 997405
Sacramento, CA  95899-7405

Fax correspondence to:

(866) 320-7918

Email address:  VehicleFRProgram@dmv.ca.gov

Call the Vehicle Financial Responsibility Program at (866) 664-4545 with questions.