For records not listed above, you can submit a PRA request through this portal.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How long will it take to receive the requested records?
Under California law, the Department must respond to your inquiry within 10 calendar days from receipt of the request to notify you whether records will be disclosed. Please note that any request submitted after 5:00 p.m. Monday – Friday, or on a holiday or weekend, will be deemed “received” the following business day for purposes of the Public Records Act. The Public Records Act also provides that agencies may extend the 10-day response period by up to 14 additional calendar days under certain circumstances. We will notify you within 10 days of receipt of your request if a 14-day extension is necessary.
2. Why haven’t I received the records within 10 days?
The Department has 10 days to “determine whether the request…seeks copies of disclosable public records in the possession of the agency and shall promptly notify the person making the request of the determination and reasons therefore.” (Government Code 7922.535(a).) The Public Records Act does not specify when records must be produced to a requesting party. This means that agencies must notify the requester within 10 days if they have requested deliverable public records or exempt material or some combination of the two. The Department may extend the 10-day period to make this determination by up to 14 additional days if there is a need to communicate with field offices, examine voluminous records, communicate with others who have an interest in the records, or construct computer reports.
3. Is there a charge for the requested records?
California Government Code Section 7922.530, subdivision (a), provides that the agency make the identifiable public records available “upon payment of fees covering the direct costs of duplication, or a statutory fee, if applicable.” California Vehicle Code section 1811 allows the Department of Motor Vehicles to charge “at least the entire actual cost to the department of the copies.” See also Shippen v. DMV (1984) 161 Cal.App.3d 1119. The Department may also charge for computer programming time required to produce a record that requires data extraction or manipulation. If fees are required, DMV will notify you of the cost to obtain the records. Any required fees must be paid before releasing the records.
4. Are some records exempt from disclosure?
Yes, the Public Records Act classifies certain records as exempt from disclosure. If the requested records are exempt, the Department will inform you in writing as to why.
5. Can you create a record for me?
The Department releases non-exempt, existing records in response to requests. The Public Records Act does not require agencies to answer questions, perform research, or create new records.
6. How can I check the status of my request?
If you submitted your request through the CADMV Public Records Center Portal, please visit https://dmv-pra.powerappsportals.us/RequestSummary/ to monitor the progress of your request.
