Mistakenly paid registration before lease end, how do I get my money back?

ShawnKayn

Hi all,

I live in CA. And just turned in my leased car.

I received a notification from the DMV a couple of months ago that my 2021 registration fee was due. So I paid, thinking that the plate stays with the driver not the car (That’s how it is back where I’m from) — I was wrong, obviously. The 2020 registration is valid a week *after* the lease end date (ie valid until next week). So now I’m left with a 2021 registration (sticker intact) that I paid for and can never use.

What are my options? Can I request a refund from the DMV? Speak with the dealer to see if they’re willing to “buy” it from me? Other options? Or is the ~$400 I paid effectively burnt and I should just move on?

Thanks all,
Shawn

Michaell

ShawnKayn said:

Hi all,

I live in CA. And just turned in my leased car.

I received a notification from the DMV a couple of months ago that my 2021 registration fee was due. So I paid, thinking that the plate stays with the driver not the car (That’s how it is back where I’m from) — I was wrong, obviously. The 2020 registration is valid a week *after* the lease end date (ie valid until next week). So now I’m left with a 2021 registration (sticker intact) that I paid for and can never use.

What are my options? Can I request a refund from the DMV? Speak with the dealer to see if they’re willing to “buy” it from me? Other options? Or is the ~$400 I paid effectively burnt and I should just move on?

Thanks all,
Shawn

Speak with the DMV, and see what your options are. I'd be hard pressed to believe you're the first person to do this.

ShawnKayn

Thanks! Wondering if others might have more information. Wait time to contact the DMV is 2+ hours!

ShawnKayn

No-one else has encountered this situation before?