Cal. VEH § 4770

(a) Except as provided in subdivision (c) or (d), the department shall refuse to renew the registration of a vehicle if the registered owner or lessee has been mailed a notice of toll evasion violation, the processing agency has transmitted to the department an itemization of unpaid toll evasion penalties, including administrative fees, pursuant to Section 40267, and the toll evasion penalty and administrative fee have not been paid pursuant to Section 40266, unless the full amount of all outstanding toll evasion penalties and administrative fees, as shown by records of the department are paid to the department at the time of application for renewal.

(b) The designated processing agency shall issue a notice of the disposition of the toll evasion violation or violations to a lessor, if the lessor provides the processing agency with the name, address, and driver’s license number of the lessee at the time of the occurrence of the toll evasion violation.

(c) The department shall renew the registration of a vehicle if the applicant provides the department with the notice of the disposition of the toll evasion violation or violations issued pursuant to subdivision (b) for clearing all outstanding toll evasion penalties and administrative fees, as shown by the records of the department, and the applicant has met all other requirements for registration.

(d) The department shall not refuse to renew the registration of a vehicle if the toll evasion violation occurred prior to the date that the registered owner or lessee took possession of the vehicle.