What is PNO registration in California?
PNO means Planned Nonoperation: a DMV status for keeping a vehicle off public roads for the registration year, including driving, towing and street parking.
Key takeaways
PNO is not permission to leave an unused car on the street.
The $28 DMV filing fee is separate from any late penalties.
Check the exact expiration date, not just the month on the sticker.
When can you file PNO?
DMV's online PNO service opens 60 days before registration expires. For an ordinary passenger car, a late filing may be accepted within 90 days after expiration only if the nonoperation conditions were met; penalties still apply. Off-highway vehicles have different deadlines.
Use the official service below to check eligibility. PNO is not a way to erase fees after using the car on public roads.
How much does PNO cost?
DMV lists a $28 PNO filing fee as of September 1, 2026. This is not an all-in quote: late penalties and other amounts on your vehicle record can change what you owe. Use the current DMV notice or service for your total.
California has no grace period for annual registration payments. Late penalties depend on the delay and applicable fees; filing within the late-PNO window does not make the payment penalty-free.
Prepare the filing, then keep the confirmation
For online filing, check that DMV has your current address and have your plate number and last five VIN characters ready. Save the result with the renewal notice.
Without a renewal notice, DMV also provides form REG 102. Complete the Planned Non-Operation section, sign it, and follow the form's mailing and payment instructions.
Before using the vehicle again
PNO alone does not authorize a drive to a repair shop or smog station. Ask DMV whether a one-day Vehicle Moving Permit (REG 172) fits the move. Regular use requires registration and insurance requirements to be met first.
Need help deciding what paperwork to discuss? Cardona's offers English and Spanish support. Call ahead about eligible registration services at the Olympic Blvd office; do not assume every transaction can be handled there.
Common questions
Do I pay the PNO fee every year?
PNO remains on the record until you register the vehicle for use. Special-interest plates can still have an annual retention fee; check your DMV notice.
Is PNO the same as an Affidavit of Non-Use?
No. An Affidavit of Non-Use (ANU) concerns insurance for a currently registered, unused vehicle. It does not replace the PNO decision at renewal. Check with DMV and your insurer before canceling coverage.
