EXPERT REVIEWED
by
Laura Longero
Executive Editor
Once a car is registered as planned non-operation (PNO) in California means that the car cannot be driven, towed or parked on a public highway or roadway for the entire year of registration.
That means that if an owner plans to sell a PNO status vehicle in California, they will need to fully register the vehicle if they want to allow potential buyers to test drive the vehicle or take it out on the road.
- A car listed as PNO in California cannot be parked on public roads or highways and must be parked in a private area. This means someone cannot test drive a vehicle with PNO status in California.
- If the vehicle is found operational or parked in a public area and the owner is cited, complete registration plus penalties for that year are due.
- Off-highway vehicles (OHV) must file for PNO status before the registration expiration date.
Can I sell a car that is on PNO status in California?
Yes, technically. You can sell a car listed as PNO, but it cannot be parked on a public street or test driven by a potential buyer. According to the California DMV, PNO status means the vehicle is non-operational.
If you plan on selling a vehicle to someone who wants to test drive it and then drive it away from where it is stored, you will need to remove the PNO status with the California DMV. This requires you to register and insure the car to be back on the road legally.
In other words, selling a car isn’t considered use of the car, but the activities related to selling the car may be considered use. The DMV says specifically that if the vehicle is operated or parked where it may be subject to citation at any time, then full registration fees and penalties for that year become due.
However, just because the vehicle is in non-operational status, you may still be able to move the vehicle for one day under certain conditions. You can obtain a Vehicle Moving Permit (REG 172) from a California DMV office. Reasons for the one-day permit include a vehicle or smog inspection, a repair or alteration, permanent wrecking or movement to a new storage space.
The one-day permit bypasses the need to reinstate full registration and no additional fees are required. That said, none of these purposes are related to someone test-driving a car in PNO status in California for potential purchase.
If you want to allow someone to test drive a vehicle you intend to sell, you should contact the California DMV to find out what steps are needed to remove the PNO status. If you must register, insure and smog your vehicle, remember to compare car insurance rates in California to find the best deal for the short time you need insurance before selling the vehicle.
Remember to tell the insurance provider that the mileage will be limited on the vehicle, which may allow you to get a low-mileage discount and bring your rates even lower.
Check out our experts’ recommendations on what’s the cheapest car insurance in California.
– Michelle Megna contributed to this story.
Sources
State of California Department of Motor Vehicles. “Reporting Vehicle Status.” Accessed October 2022.
State of California Department of Motor Vehicles. “Planned Nonoperation Filing.” Accessed October 2022.
State of California Department of Motor Vehicles. “Vehicle Industry Registration Procedures Manual.” Accessed October 2022.
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Laura Longero
Executive Editor
Laura is an award-winning editor with experience in content and communications covering auto insurance and personal finance. She has written for several media outlets, including the USA Today Network. She most recently worked in the public sector for the Nevada Department of Transportation.
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John McCormick
Editorial Director
John is the editorial director for CarInsurance.com, Insurance.com and Insure.com. Before joining QuinStreet, John was a deputy editor at The Wall Street Journal and had been an editor and reporter at a number of other media outlets where he covered insurance, personal finance, and technology.
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Leslie Kasperowicz
Managing Editor
Leslie Kasperowicz is an insurance educator and content creation professional with nearly two decades of experience first directly in the insurance industry at Farmers Insurance and then as a writer, researcher, and educator for insurance shoppers writing for sites like ExpertInsuranceReviews.com and InsuranceHotline.com and managing content, now at CarInsurance.com.
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Nupur Gambhir
Managing Editor
Nupur Gambhir is a content editor and licensed life, health, and disability insurance expert. She has extensive experience bringing brands to life and has built award-nominated campaigns for travel and tech. Her insurance expertise has been featured in Bloomberg News, Forbes Advisor, CNET, Fortune, Slate, Real Simple, Lifehacker, The Financial Gym, and the end-of-life planning service.
