Your car has been sitting in the driveway for months. You canceled the insurance because there was no point paying for a vehicle you are not driving, and now the DMV is sending you suspension notices. Or maybe you are planning to store a vehicle long-term and want to handle the paperwork correctly beforehand.
Either way, the California Affidavit of Non-Use (ANU) exists precisely for this situation. But filing it at the wrong time, or confusing it with a Planned Non-Operation (PNO), can leave you with penalties you did not expect. This guide explains exactly when the Affidavit of Non-Use in California applies, when it does not, and what your options are if your registration has already lapsed.
What Is an Affidavit of Non-Use?
The Affidavit of Non-Use (Form REG 5090) is an official declaration to the California DMV that a currently registered vehicle is not being operated or parked on public roads, and that liability insurance has been canceled. Filing it notifies the DMV that you are aware of the insurance lapse and that the vehicle is not on the road, which prevents the state from issuing a registration suspension.
Think of it as telling the DMV: “I know my insurance is canceled. The car is not being driven. Please don’t penalize me.” It does not renew your registration, reduce your fees, or replace a smog check. It is purely a declaration of status.
ANU Vs. PNO - What Is the Actual Difference?
These two terms are frequently used interchangeably, but they are distinct filings that apply to different situations. Using the wrong one can create complications with your registration.
ANU: For Unexpected Situations
- Your registration is currently active
- You canceled insurance unexpectedly mid-year
- File anytime, as long as renewal is more than 75 days away
- Renewal fees still apply when your registration comes due
- Best for: unplanned storage, broken-down vehicles, sudden insurance cancellation
PNO: For Planned Non-Use
- Your registration has expired or is expiring soon
- You know in advance that the vehicle will not be driven next year
- File up to 70 days before expiry or within 90 days after
- Pay a reduced flat-rate fee instead of a full renewal
- Best for: seasonal storage, second vehicles, planned long-term parking
The simplest rule: If your registration is still active and you need to cancel insurance unexpectedly, file an ANU. If your registration is coming up for renewal and you know the vehicle will not be driven, file a PNO instead.
When Should You File an ANU?
The ANU is the right move in these specific situations:
Your vehicle is inoperable and not being repaired anytime soon
Whether it broke down, was in an accident, or needs extensive work, an ANU protects you from DMV suspension while the vehicle sits uninsured in storage or your driveway.
You are putting a vehicle in long-term storage
Seasonal storage, a cross-country move, or a deployment — if the car is going away for an extended period and you are canceling insurance, the ANU keeps your registration status clean.
You canceled insurance on a registered vehicle
California law requires liability insurance on all registered vehicles. The moment your insurance lapses, the DMV is notified. Filing an ANU immediately after canceling coverage stops a suspension from being issued.
You recently purchased a registered vehicle you plan to store
If you bought a vehicle mid-registration cycle and do not intend to drive it, an ANU filed promptly protects you from penalties tied to the previous owner’s lapsed insurance.
When the DMV Will NOT Accept Your ANU
This is the most important thing to understand before you file. The California DMV will reject an ANU if:
- The vehicle’s registration has already expired. An ANU can only be applied to an active registration. If the renewal deadline has passed, you need to address the expired registration first.
- If you are within 60-75 days of your registration expiring, your best bet is to transition directly to a PNO filing to avoid paying full renewal fees for a car you won’t be using.
- The vehicle is already under registration suspension due to a prior insurance lapse. A suspension requires a separate resolution process before any non-use filing can be accepted.
What If Your Registration Is Already Expired?
This is the most common situation LC Registration clients come in with, and the ANU cannot fix it. Here is the correct path depending on how long the registration has been expired:
Expired recently (under one year):
- Renew the expired registration and pay all outstanding fees plus applicable late penalties
- Obtain valid California insurance to reinstate the registration
- Once the registration is active again, immediately file your ANU or PNO
- Cancel insurance after your ANU confirmation is received
Expired with a DMV insurance suspension already issued:
This is more serious. You will need to:
- Reinstate a California-compliant insurance policy
- Pay the $14 DMV’s reinstatement fee
- Submit proof of insurance to the DMV
- Pay all delinquent registration fees and penalties
- File your ANU or PNO once the registration is restored
Both paths involve multiple steps across different agencies, which is exactly where LC Registration can step in. We handle the registration renewal, fee calculation, and DMV submission so you don’t have to navigate this alone.
How to File the ANU in California
The ANU (Form REG 5090) can be filed in three ways:
- Online via the California DMV website – the fastest option and the one we recommend. You receive instant confirmation that your filing was accepted.
- Automated DMV phone system – available 24/7, but does not provide the same immediate paper trail as online filing.
- By mail – send a completed REG 5090 form to your local DMV office. This is the slowest option, which adds processing time before your non-use status is confirmed.
Important: While the ANU is a quick self-service filing, LC Registration handles the complex reinstatement and renewal tasks that the ANU alone cannot solve.
What Happens After Your Non-Use Period Ends?
When you are ready to put your vehicle back on the road, you will need to:
- Obtain California liability insurance before driving
- Renew your DMV vehicle registration and pay applicable fees
- Complete a smog inspection if required for your vehicle
- Ensure your title and ownership documents are in order
That last point matters more than most people expect. Storage periods have a way of turning up missing paperwork. It is worth checking that your title is in order before reinstating your registration. If your pink slip went missing during storage, LC Registration can help you get a duplicate vehicle title in California before your car is back on the road.
Once your insurance and documents are ready, we handle the renewal, smog coordination, and DMV submission in one visit, so your vehicle goes from stored to street-legal without the usual back-and-forth.
Get Your Registration Back on Track with LC Registration
Filing the ANU itself is straightforward. But everything around it expired registrations, DMV suspensions, reinstatement fees, and renewal paperwork is where people get stuck. LC Registration is a licensed DMV partner in Ontario, CA, and we handle the steps that actually require expertise: renewal processing, title issues, and full registration reinstatement.
You sort out the ANU filing online in five minutes. We handle everything that comes before and after it. Call LC Registration today or visit our Ontario office to get your vehicle’s registration back in good standing, correctly, and without the DMV wait.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an ANU the same as a PNO?
No. An ANU is filed mid-registration cycle when insurance is unexpectedly canceled on an active registration. A PNO is filed at renewal time when you plan not to drive the vehicle for the coming year. Using the wrong one at the wrong time can result in penalties or a rejected filing.
Can I drive my car after filing an ANU?
Absolutely not. Once an ANU is on file, the vehicle cannot be operated or parked on any public road or highway in California. Driving with an active ANU on your vehicle exposes you to fines and potential registration issues.
Does filing an ANU save me from registration penalties?
eliminate registration renewal fees; you will still owe those when yoThe ANU prevents a DMV suspension from being issued due to lapsed insurance. It does not ur registration comes due.
How long can I keep an ANU on my vehicle?
The ANU covers you until your next registration renewal period. At that point, you either renew the registration or file a PNO for the coming year.
Can you file an ANU on my behalf?
No. The ANU must be filed directly by the vehicle owner online, by automated phone, or by mail. However, LC Registration can assist with all the surrounding registration work — renewals, reinstatements, and title issues.
What if I accidentally drove my car while an ANU was on file?
You need to reinstate your insurance immediately and update your registration status with the DMV. Contact LC Registration to assess your situation and determine the fastest path to getting your vehicle legally back on the road.
