Vehicle Industry News
Stay informed about critical DMV changes and new California laws that directly impact your business. Compliance violations can expose your company to significant legal and financial risk.
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Latest Compliance Notices
Critical Compliance Updates
New Online Branding Rules for Occupational Licensees
Starting January 1, 2026, there are updated restrictions on how occupational licensees can use the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) name. Assembly Bill 1272 (Dixon, Ch. 68, Stats. 2025) expands the prohibition to include your website's domain name (web address).
The New Domain Name Rule
You are no longer allowed to use the initials "DMV" or the words "Department of Motor Vehicles" in your website's domain name (web address).
Existing Rules Still Apply
Please note that you are already prohibited from using:
- • The DMV logo
- • The initials "DMV"
- • The words "Department of Motor Vehicles"
...in your official business name or your phone number.
🚨 Penalty for Violation
Breaking this rule is a violation of Vehicle Code §25 and is punishable as a misdemeanor crime.
Recommended Actions:
- 1. Audit your web presence – Review all domain names associated with your business to ensure they do not contain "DMV" or "Department of Motor Vehicles"
- 2. Plan for domain changes – If your current domain violates this rule, you must change it to a compliant domain name
- 3. Update all materials – Ensure your business name, logo, and marketing materials also comply with existing restrictions (no DMV references)
- 4. Consult your attorney and website marketing agency – This is critical if you're changing domains
🔍 Quick Domain Compliance Checker
Enter your domain name to instantly check if it contains prohibited terms.
Advanced Compliance Considerations for Domain Transitions
🔗 Protecting Your SEO with 301 Redirects
Search Engine Rankings & Domain Migration
If you've been using "DMV" in your domain and are switching to a new compliant domain name, work with your marketing agency and legal advisor to implement proper 301 Redirects. This critical step ensures you don't lose your hard-earned Google organic search rankings during the transition. 301 redirects permanently redirect all traffic from your old domain to your new domain, preserving your SEO authority.
📧 Email & Domain Forwarding
Plan your email migration carefully:
- • Set up email forwarding on your old domain during the transition period (typically 30-90 days)
- • Update all vendor, client, and partner email addresses with your new domain address
- • Notify customers and business contacts about the domain change well in advance
- • Update all business listings, social media, marketing materials, and legal documents
📞 Who to Contact First
Before migrating, coordinate with your legal advisor to ensure all aspects are compliant with the existing legal requirements and your marketing agency or web hosting provider to properly execute the 301 redirects and domain transition. These professionals will help you avoid costly mistakes.
⚠️ Google Business Profile (GBP) Compliance
To better protect your business and avoid an SEO collapse, ensure your Google Business Profile has the exact legal business name that appears on your business permits and filings. Google does not allow business profiles to use names that don't match your legal business name.
Example 1: DMV Reference Violation
Business License:
"Andy's Automotive Tag and Title LLC"
Google Business Profile:
"ANDY'S DMV REGISTRATION EXPRESS" ❌
Result: Your GBP can be instantly suspended, making your business website and profile nearly non-existent.
Example 2: Name Stuffing Violation
Business License:
"California Tag & Title Services LLC"
Google Business Profile:
"California Tag & Title Services - VIN Verification - Registration Services - DMV Lien Processing - Quick Title Transfers" ❌
Result: Google considers this keyword stuffing and violates GBP policies. Profile suspension or removal of extra keywords enforced by Google.
⚖️ Legal Risk: DMV in Google Business Profile Names
Check with your attorney on this: using "DMV" as part of a business name in your Google Business Profile could be considered an advertisement sign or banner and may violate California law. Avoid this risk entirely by keeping your GBP name compliant with your legal business name.
🤝 Help Your Industry
Protect your business, support your neighbors, and inform the industry. Share this information with other occupational licensees you know. Encourage compliance and help protect everyone from unnecessary legal and business risks.