§ 4454 Vehicle Registration Card Requirement

Vehicle Code·California

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Key Takeaways

•You must keep your car's registration paper (or a copy) in the car at all times.
•You can take it out only when renewing or transferring the registration, or if the car is parked and empty.
•If you don’t follow this rule, you can get a ticket.

Example

You get pulled over by the police while driving.

If you don’t have your car’s registration paper in the car, you can get a ticket, even if the car is registered.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source

View on CA.gov

§ 4454 Vehicle Registration Card Requirement

(a) Every owner, upon receipt of a registration card, shall maintain the same or a facsimile copy thereof with the vehicle for which issued. (b) This section does not apply when a registration card is necessarily removed from the vehicle for the purpose of application for renewal or transfer of registration, or when the vehicle is left unattended. (c) Any violation of this section shall be cited in accordance with the provisions of Section 40610. (Amended by Stats. 1999, Ch. 106, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2000.)

Last verified: January 21, 2026

Key Terms

registration card facsimile copy renewal or transfer of registration Section 40610

References

Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
California Legislature. Vehicle Code. Section 4454.

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Key Takeaways

Example

Key Terms

Related Statutes

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