Form REG 31 at a glance
What it is: REG 31, Verification of Vehicle, is for physically inspecting complete and assembled vehicles.
Who signs: Sign on the Verifier Signature line; a stamped or typed signature will not be accepted.
To be acceptable by DMV this form must be legible and completed IN FULL by an authorized DMV representative, California licensed vehicle verifier, authorized auto club employee, or peace officer who has been properly trained to perform vehicle verifications.
This form is not to be completed by the applicant.
A filled-in Form REG 31 example: a verifier completes the form
How to fill out Form REG 31, box by box
Statement of facts, identification number or engine number error
Statement of Facts, Identification Number or Engine Number Error: the vehicle owner certifies (or declares) under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that it is true and correct.
The owner further certifies that the owner is the owner of the described vehicle and had no knowledge of the difference in the identification or engine number on the vehicle and titling documents.
Enter the Vehicle Owner's Signature, Printed Name and Date.
Verifier signature, executed at, date and verifier's email address
The verifier certifies that today they physically examined the vehicle described and finds the description of the vehicle to be as indicated, and certifies (or declares) under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that it is true and correct.
Sign on the Verifier Signature line; a stamped or typed signature will not be accepted.
Executed At (place signed, city, state) and Date are required.
Enter the Verifier's Email Address.
More rules for Form REG 31
Any missing sections, alterations, cross-outs, or erasures (even when initialed) will void this form and a new verification must be completed.
Mark all areas/sections which do not apply as non-applicable (N/A); do not leave blank. All numbered sections (1-9) must have at least one box checked in each section.
The vehicle may also be subject to verification by the California Highway Patrol (CHP).
7) Odometer Mileage Reading: record mileage exactly as shown on vehicle odometer (no tenths). If NONE, check this box, and draw line through boxes. Not required for OHV/LSV.
6) U.S. Federal Certification Label Status: required for 1970 and newer model years, not for OHVs.
9) Emission Label Indicates: all vehicles, 1968 and newer model years; motorcycles, 1978 and newer model years; heavy-duty vehicles, 1979 and newer model years; OHVs, 2003 and newer model years.
Verifier Name (please print) and Title/ID/Badge/VV License Number.
Address, City, State and Daytime Telephone Number. Physically Verified At (check box): the Address, or Other (specify), with City and State.
Verifying Agency (check box): DMV, CHP.
CA Licensed Vehicle Verifier (VV), Auto Club, Peace Officer (List Employer), or Out of Country Vehicle.
Additional verification forms are available at dmv.ca.gov and at all DMV offices.
If your situation is different
Verifications for vehicle verifiers
Permitted verifications for vehicle verifiers: (1) Nonresident vehicles, (2) any vehicle or trailer, excluding used motorcycles, with supporting ownership documents for which there is no California (CA) record.
The VIN must appear okay.
The supporting ownership document must be a Certificate of Title, Manufacturer's Certificate or Statement of Origin (MCO/MSO), U.S. Government Standard Form (SF) 97-1, or Registration Card.
All other vehicle verifications or verifications with no supporting ownership document must be referred to the DMV or CHP for inspection.
Prohibited verifications for vehicle verifiers: (1) Vehicles whose U.S. Federal Certification Label (Safety Label) disagrees with the VIN, or is illegible, damaged, tampered, altered, missing, never issued (e.g., direct import-grey market, etc.), or does not match the documents, (2) revived salvage or revived junk vehicles, (3) specially constructed (SPCNS) vehicles, (4) used motorcycles with an unavailable California record (last registered in CA, but record no longer appears on DMV's database), (5) vehicles with documents from a foreign country, (6) motorcycles with engine changes.
VIN and model year
4) VIN/Engine Number: if motorcycle, mark both VIN and engine (ENG) boxes.
Pursuant to federal law, a 17-digit VIN that passes check-digit is required on all 1981 and newer model year motor vehicles, and all 1985 and newer model year trailers.
All 1981 and newer model year vehicles with less than a 17-digit VIN must be referred to CHP for verification.
The model year of 1980 and newer vehicles is encoded in the 10th digit of VIN.
Do NOT use the Federal Certification Label as the primary source for the VIN.
When inspection of a VIN reveals evidence of tampering, alteration or obliteration of the number, immediately notify the nearest DMV, Investigations Section.
The vehicle is a pickup
Pickups (PKs): the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) is found on the U.S. Federal Certification Label.
PKs under 11,499 GVWR have the following BTMs: 3C, 4C, PK, and SP.
PKs over 11,499 GVWR are BTM "VA".
The vehicle is a motorcycle
Engine Number: motorcycles (M/C) and OHVs only; for electric M/C, use Electric Motor No.
Motorcycles: only a verification form completed by an authorized DMV employee is acceptable on an application for on-highway (street) motorcycle registration of any motor vehicle currently registered OHV or titled with type license "C2" (title only).
Used motorcycles (including motorcycles manufactured for on-highway use being registered off-highway [OHV]) with unavailable records, or documents from a foreign country must be inspected by CHP.
The vehicle is an OHV
OHVs: a 2003 and newer model year OHV with a "3" or "C" in the eighth position of the VIN are non-complying OHVs (red sticker).
Any motorcycle or vehicle originally manufactured and registered for OHV use cannot be converted for on-highway use, unless it is manufactured for dual purposes.
The vehicle is a specially constructed vehicle (SPCNS)
Specially Constructed Vehicles (SPCNS) (CVC §580): enter "0000" for the model year; SPCNS vehicles are not manufactured vehicles and do not have a model year.
Replica vehicles (such as a Cobra, Mustang, or Corvette) built from a kit and assembled or built for private use and not for resale, must be registered as a SPCNS vehicle.
Common questions about Form REG 31
What is reg 31 form California?
REG 31, Verification of Vehicle, is for physically inspecting complete and assembled vehicles. The most current version of this form must be used.
Sources
[1] REG 31 (REV. 5/2025), Verification of Vehicle, California Department of Motor Vehicles (the Official source link on this page).