Pause registration when the vehicle stays off the road

Storing a car, project on hold, long trip out of state – file Planned Non-Operation so you are not paying to keep a vehicle you are not driving. We prepare the PNO request, check timing and penalties, and submit it so you do not waste a day at a window.

We serve drivers across California from our El Cajon office.

What we handle

File PNO for the upcoming registration year
Remove PNO and bring a vehicle back to active status
Late cases – calculate penalties and the cleanest path forward
Address updates so DMV mail lands where it should
Temporary operating permits when rules allow while you take care of smog or repairs

If your situation is messy – past due fees, insurance lapses, missing paperwork – we map the fastest legal fix.

What PNO means

The vehicle will not be driven, towed, or parked on public roads during the covered period
You keep it on private property while it is in PNO status
PNO stops future registration charges for that period, but it does not erase already due or past due fees
When you want to use the vehicle again, you pay the required registration fees and any penalties to reactivate

When to file

Best time is before the current registration expires to avoid late fees
If you are already past the expiration date, filing may still help, but penalties can apply
PNO is for the next registration year, not previous years

We check your record and give you the exact steps before you pay anything.

What to bring

Driver license or ID
License plate number and last 5 of the VIN
Your registration card or renewal notice if you have it
Current address information for DMV mail

Not sure what applies – bring what you have and we will sort it.

How it works in our office

Quick intake – tell us whether you want to file PNO or remove it
Record check – fees, penalties, smog and insurance flags
Clear the blockers – address, insurance status, timing
Submit – we file PNO or reactivate the vehicle in DMV systems
Wrap up – you leave with proof of submission and next steps

Common California scenarios we clean up

Project car will sit for a year – file PNO now so future charges stop
You missed renewal and just put the car in storage – we calculate penalties and file PNO if it still helps
Coming off PNO – we reactivate, route smog if required, and issue a temporary operating permit when allowed
Moved homes – renewal notices bounced – we update the address and fix your status
Bought a non-running vehicle – we put it on PNO until you are ready to register it

FAQ

Can I park on the street while on PNO
No. PNO means no operation or parking on public roads. Keep the vehicle on private property.

Can I drive it to smog or repair
You may need a temporary operating permit. We will tell you if you qualify and set it up when rules allow.

Does PNO erase past due fees
No. It prevents charges for the covered period going forward. Any already due amounts or penalties still apply.

How do I remove PNO
Pay the registration fees and any required penalties, handle smog if required, and we reactivate the record.

Can I sell a vehicle on PNO
Yes. The buyer will pay the fees to reactivate when they register it. We prepare the transfer and explain the costs.

Bring the plate number – we handle the status

Call 619-736-1313
Email service@paylowinsurance.com
Visit 415 Fletcher Pkwy Ste 306, El Cajon, CA 92020

Hours
Mon – Fri – 9AM – 6PM
Sat – 10AM – 2PM

We file PNO and bring vehicles back from PNO cleanly – no DMV line, clear steps, and realistic timelines.