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Make your next trip to the DMV a success!

Important documents you may need when visiting a DMV field office

 

 

General Tips

□       Make sure you have a check, money order, cash or a debit card available to pay any fees. (the DMV does not accept credit cards at field offices, however they are accepted online)

□       If you have to go into a field office, visit the DMV’s website at www.DMV.ca.gov to make an appointment before visiting a field office. This will significantly reduce your wait time

 

Driver License and ID Card

Upon expiration of your current driver license or ID card, the DMV will automatically send you a renewal notice which will inform you if you are eligible to renew online or in person, and if you will be required to take a traffic laws and signs test. Occasionally, an office visit may be required to protect your identity and ensure that a license is being issued to the true owner. Below is a checklist of items you should be prepared for if you are required to visit a field office to renew your driver license or ID card:

 

DL Renewal

□       Complete an original Driver License form (DL 44) or the DMV renewal notice you received via mail (to obtain the DL 44 form by mail, call 1-800-777-0133 or pick one up at your local field office)

□        Be prepared to take a traffic laws and signs test (if required)

□       Pass a vision exam

 

ID Card Renewal

□       Complete an original Identification Card application (DL 44) (to obtain the DL 44 form by mail, call 1-800-777-0133 or pick one up at your local field office)

□       Bring your certified birth certificate or passport

□       Provide your social security number

 

Name Change or Change in Marital Status

In the event of a name change or change in marital status, it is important to update your records with the DMV. Prior to visiting your local DMV field office to update your information, please contact the Social Security Administration (SSA) to change your name on your social security records and to be issued a new card. When your SSA records are updated, bring the following with you to complete your DMV update:

□       Complete an original Identification Card application (DL 44) (to obtain the DL 44 form by mail, call 1-800-777-0133 or pick one up at your local field office)

□       Provide evidence of your name change by showing an original or certified copy of a birth certificate or passport

 

Registration

The DMV will automatically notify you via mail when your vehicle’s registration is due for a renewal and also inform you if you are eligible to renew online or in person, and if a biennial smog certification is due. Be sure to pay your renewal fees on or before the due date to avoid penalties. When renewing your registration you will need to:

□       Provide your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)

□       Provide your renewal notice that shows your current fees

□       Provide a smog certificate (if required) Please note: authorized smog shops electronically submit these certificates to the DMV

 

Changing Vehicle Ownership

When you become the new legal owner of a vehicle, (buying or selling) you must provide updated information to the DMV. If you are registering a vehicle as the new owner, be prepared to provide the following items to the DMV:

□       California Certificate of Title (Pink Slip)

□       Signature(s) of seller(s) and lien holder, if any, on the Certificate of Title

□       Signature(s) of buyer(s) on the Certificate of Title

□       Odometer disclosure for vehicles less than 10 years old

□       Smog certification

 

Notice of Release and Transfer of Liability

In order to file a Notice of Release and Transfer of Liability with the DMV to transfer vehicle ownership and responsibility to another party, you will need to provide:

□       A completed Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability (REG 138)

□       The vehicle’s year, make, and Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)

□       The new owner’s name and address

□       The vehicle’s odometer reading

□       The date of transfer or sale

□       Your name and address

This transaction can be done in a field office or online at www.DMV.ca.gov.

 

Registering an Out-Of-State Vehicle

New residents to the state of California are required to register their vehicles within 20 days of residency, and are required to provide the following items to the DMV to register the vehicle:

□       A completed application for title or registration (REG 343)

□       The out-of-state Certificate of Title

□       A vehicle verification by an authorized DMV employee; bring your vehicle to your local DMV for verification of the vehicle’s identification number

□       California smog certification

 

Fees depends on a variety of factors- for an estimate of your costs you may use the online vehicle registration fee calculator at www.DMV.ca.gov

 

Smog Certification

To register a vehicle that requires a smog check, the following items must be provided:

□       California smog certification (you will receive this from the smog center upon completion of your passed smog test)

□       Registration renewal notice sent to you by the DMV

□       Your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)

You may need to visit a DMV field office if it has taken longer than five business days to receive your new registration documents.

 

We hope that you find this information helpful when preparing for a visit to the DMV. Remember to visit www.DMV.ca.gov to determine first if you can conduct your transaction online. If you must visit a field office; Save Time.Go Online and schedule an appointment.

The Insurance Guy

http://www.mlhodginsurance.com

661-295-8905

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I am in the market for a 1 ton cargo van. If anyone has one or knows of anyone looking to sell one, please have them give me a call 661 295 8905

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Local Traffic Ordinances

In an effort to ensure that the Department of Motor Vehicles records traffic convictions, local authorities may not enact or enforce a local ordinance as of July 1 on any matter that the California Vehicle Code covers.

In anticipation of next year, a new bill, which will become effective January 1, 2012, authorizes a court to order a 10-year revocation of the driver license of a person convicted of a third or subsequent DUI violation, with possible reinstatement after five years if specified conditions are met. Please don’t drink and drive. But if you already have been convicted, we offer Auto Insurance with a SR-22 at competitive rates. Please call The Insurance Guy 661 295 8905

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Motorcycle Instruction Permit

Currently, more than 6,000 drivers 19 years of age and younger are licensed to ride a motorcycle in California. As of January 1, 2011, the new law requires any person younger than 21 years of age to complete an approved motorcycle safety course before being issued an instruction permit required to practice operating a motorcycle. The law also requires the permit to be held by an individual for six months before they will be issued a class M motorcycle driver license.

We offer motorcycle insurance for all makes and models. Give me a call today 661 295 8905

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Tell Your Kids to Keep Their Grades Up

Virtually all of the major car insurance companies offer some form of good student discount. If your kids get good grades then you save money. Some companies offer savings for a lackluster C while most offer savings for you that range from 5 percent to 15 percent if your student maintains a B or an A on their report cards.

Maybe it’s time to pass along some of that savings to your kids as a financial incentive to keep their grades high (after all, why not just let the insurance company pay your kids to get good grades rather than you?)

Give me a call today to see if your student driver qualifies for a discount.

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Did you know that all the personal possessions you carry in your vehicle are not covered under your car insurance policy?  That’s right, even the most comprehensive car insurance policy will not reimburse you for items that are stolen or damaged while in your car. You will be compensated for any damage that is done to your vehicle, but your possessions are not considered part of the vehicle’s value. The best idea is to refrain from carrying extremely valuable items with you when you are driving. We offer coverage for items stolen from your vehicle under our home owner or renter insurance. Give me a call today for coverage.

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It may be time for a frank discussion  about the risk of theft and the various security features that can help keep criminals away.

This is especially true if your policy offers a discount for anti-theft features such as tracking systems, immobilizing devices and car alarms — even to old standbys like the Club. These features and advances in technology have helped reduced crime rates overall by making it all the more difficult to steal a car.

Generally, vehicle theft rates have fallen considerably in recent years. A recent announcement from the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) said that vehicle thefts have now fallen for six consecutive years. According to the government crime-fighting agency, motor vehicle thefts were down 17.1 percent in 2009, marking the largest such decrease across a variety of major crime categories. Other property crimes like burglary were also down.

However, some parts of the country continue to suffer from relatively high auto theft rates – and many of these areas happen to be located near the U.S. border where criminals can begin the process of sending stolen vehicles even further abroad.

According to the NICB, Laredo, Texas and Modesto, California were the two most vehicle theft-prone cities in the U.S., followed by Bakersfield and Stockton, California. In fact, out of the top 10 cities on the list, six were in California while New Mexico, Washington and Nevada each saw one of their cities make the list as well.

If you only carry liability insurance and your car is stolen, you do not have coverage. Give me a call today for a free review of your current coverage.

The Insurance Guy

661 295 8905

http://www.mlhodgeinsurance.com

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If you are a home owner and die, what happens to your home? We offer a mortgage protection policy that covers both you and your significant other at a decreased premium than having two term policies. The policy is also convertible to a full term policy. If you are interested, give me a call today.

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Michel L Hodge

The Insurance Guy

Home Insurance | SCV Insurance | Santa Clarita | Castaic | Valencia | Newhall | Saugus | The Insurance Guy | 661 295 8905

Are you looking for ways to save money on your insurance premiums during these difficult times? Give me a call to set up an appointment to see if we can offer you discounts or find other ways to help you save money on your yearly premium.

http://www.mlhodgeinsurance.com

SCV Insurance | Santa Clarita Insurance | Castaic Insurance| The Insurance Guy | 661 295 8905 |

If you want straight forward answers to your insurance questions, give me a call or drop by my office today.

M L Hodge Insurance

The Insurance Guy

22934 1/2 Lyons Ave

Newhall, CA 91321

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