DL 300 is the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) declaration that a driver who lives outside California signs and sends with an out-of-state insurance certificate. It is used when you must file proof of financial responsibility before your California driving privilege can be reinstated. On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF. The form and its instructions are published by the DMV, and the paper goes to the DMV unit that handles your suspension.
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What is DL 300?
Form DL 300, Declaration Regarding Certificate of Insurance For Non-Resident Driver, is the California DMV form on which a driver who lives outside California declares residence and attaches an out-of-state insurance certificate to prove financial responsibility and end a California license suspension or revocation.
By signing it under penalty of perjury, you declare four things: you are a resident of a stated state or province; your California driving privilege is revoked or suspended and you must file proof of financial responsibility; you have attached one insurance document (or your insurer will transmit the certificate electronically); and you understand what happens if the insurance is canceled or you become a California resident.
The declaration also states what the policy behind your certificate must do. It must cover operation of a vehicle in California as well as in your state of residence, be issued by an insurer authorized to do business in your state of residence, and meet California's minimums of $30,000 for injury to or death of one person, $60,000 for more than one person, and $15,000 for property damage per collision.
DL 300 is not the proof itself. California accepts three kinds of proof: a California Insurance Proof Certificate (form SR-22/SR-1P), a surety bond in a department-approved format, or a cash deposit with the DMV. Cash deposits, bonds and California proof certificates (form SR-22) do not require a DL 300.
Who needs to file DL 300?
A driver who does not live in California but must file proof of financial responsibility to end a California driver license suspension or revocation action uses DL 300 when the proof is a non-California insurance document.
Conditions from the DMV instructions:
- Your out-of-state insurance company must be authorized to do business in your state or province.
- The suspension may come from a DUI or from an uninsured accident; the form sends each case to a different DMV unit.
- Residents of Arizona, Nevada and Oregon can only use the SR-22 form in place of the California certificate.
You do not need DL 300 if you file a cash deposit, a surety bond or a California Insurance Proof Certificate (form SR-22). A Financial Responsibility Insurance Certificate (form SR-22) is available and acceptable in most states.
If you become a California resident while the proof requirement is in effect, DL 300 no longer fits: you will not be issued or reissued a California driver license until you file a California Insurance Proof Certificate (form SR-22/SR-1P) from a company authorized in California.
When to file DL 300
File DL 300 when you are required to file proof of financial responsibility to end a California suspension or revocation and your proof is a non-California insurance document. The form sets no separate due date; it travels with your insurance certificate.
The DMV says you will usually need to keep proof on file for three years from the first date you file insurance to end the action. If your insurance is canceled for any reason while the requirement is in effect, you are subject to suspension in California until you file a new insurance certificate.
Documents you need
- Insurance certificate: attach a Certificate of Insurance to the form, or check the box saying your insurance company will electronically transmit the proof of financial responsibility certificate.
- Other certified insurance document: only if you cannot supply a certificate; write its name or number on the form. An uncertified insurance policy is not accepted in place of the certificate.
- Insurance ID card, evidence of insurance form, policy or policy declarations: each must state that the company certifies it has issued the motor vehicle liability policy required by the laws of the state and that it is in effect, name you as an insured, and show the company name, policy number and effective date.
- Letter from your insurance company to the California DMV: only if the company cannot supply a certificate or other form with that information; it must include those statements. Keep a copy and send the original.
How to fill out DL 300
Enter your name
Print or type your LAST NAME, FIRST NAME and MIDDLE INITIAL at the top of the declaration page.
Add license numbers and phones
Enter your CALIFORNIA DRIVER LICENSE NUMBER, WORK TELEPHONE NUMBER and HOME TELEPHONE NUMBER, then your RESIDENCE STATE DRIVER LICENSE NUMBER.
Enter insurance company and policy
Fill in the INSURANCE COMPANY NAME and INSURANCE POLICY NUMBER exactly as they appear on your insurance certificate.
Enter your current address
Write your CURRENT ADDRESS (NUMBER AND STREET), then CITY, STATE and ZIP CODE.
Complete item 1, state of residence
In item 1, enter the state or province where you are a resident. Residency means the state of your true, fixed and permanent home.
Read item 2
Item 2 declares that your California driving privilege is revoked or suspended and that you must file proof of financial responsibility before reinstatement.
Choose one insurance option in item 3
Check only one box: Certificate of Insurance, Other certified insurance document (write its name or number), or the box saying your insurer will electronically transmit the certificate.
Confirm the policy conditions
The Proof Filing Information block states the policy must cover California and your state of residence, come from an insurer authorized in your state, and meet California minimum coverage.
Read item 4 and sign
Item 4 explains the effect of cancellation and of becoming a California resident. Enter the DATED line and sign next to the X.
Review, attach and download
Check that every item is complete and your insurance certificate is ready to attach. Download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF and send it as described under How to submit.
How to submit DL 300
Mail the completed declaration page, with your insurance certificate attached, to the DMV unit that matches the reason for your proof requirement. You can also choose the electronic option on the form, in which your insurance company transmits the proof certificate.
- DUI suspension: Department of Motor Vehicles, Mandatory Actions Unit, P.O. Box 942890 M/S J233, Sacramento, CA 94290-0001. Questions: (916) 657-6525.
- Suspension for an uninsured accident: Department of Motor Vehicles, Financial Responsibility, P.O. Box 942884 M/S J237, Sacramento, CA 94284-0001. Questions: (916) 657-6677.
Both lines answer 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday (PST). If your insurer cannot supply a certificate, it may write a letter to the California DMV with the required statement, policy and insured details; make yourself a copy and send the original. For cash deposit or self-insurance information, call (916) 657-6677. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the DMV channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Leaving items blank: the form says to complete all items and that incomplete forms will not be approved.
- Forgetting to attach the insurance certificate; the form ends with a reminder to attach it.
- Attaching an uncertified insurance policy in place of the required certificate.
- Checking more than one box in item 3; the form says to check only one.
- Sending the form to the wrong DMV unit: DUI suspensions go to the Mandatory Actions Unit, uninsured-accident suspensions to Financial Responsibility.
- Filing DL 300 with a cash deposit, a surety bond or a California SR-22 certificate, which do not require it.
- Relying on an out-of-state certificate as an Arizona, Nevada or Oregon resident; those residents can only use the SR-22 form in place of the California certificate.
- Letting the insurance be canceled while the requirement is in effect, which exposes you to suspension in California until a new certificate is filed.
Frequently asked questions
What is the DL 300 form?
DL 300 is the California DMV's Declaration Regarding Certificate of Insurance For Non-Resident Driver. A driver who lives outside California signs it and attaches an out-of-state insurance certificate to prove financial responsibility and end a California suspension or revocation.
Who has to file a DL 300?
Drivers who do not live in California, must file proof of financial responsibility to end a California suspension or revocation, and use a non-California insurance document. Cash deposits, surety bonds and California SR-22 certificates do not require a DL 300.
Can I fill out DL 300 online?
You can fill out the DL 300 PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is independent of the DMV and does not file the form; you send it to the DMV by mail with your certificate.
Where do I mail the DL 300?
For a DUI suspension: DMV Mandatory Actions Unit, P.O. Box 942890 M/S J233, Sacramento, CA 94290-0001. For an uninsured-accident suspension: DMV Financial Responsibility, P.O. Box 942884 M/S J237, Sacramento, CA 94284-0001. Attach your insurance certificate.
What must my out-of-state insurance cover?
The policy must cover driving in California and in your state of residence, come from an insurer authorized in your state, and meet California minimums: $30,000 per person, $60,000 for more than one person, and $15,000 property damage per collision.
How long do I have to keep proof on file with the DMV?
You will usually need to keep proof on file for three years from the first date you file insurance to end the action. If the insurance is canceled during that time, you are subject to California suspension until you file a new certificate.
What if my insurance company can't give me a certificate?
Ask the company to write a letter to the California DMV stating that it issued the motor vehicle liability policy required by law and that it is in effect, naming you as an insured, with the company name, policy number and effective date. Keep a copy and send the original.
What happens if I become a California resident?
While the proof requirement is in effect, you will not be issued or reissued a California driver license until you file a California Insurance Proof Certificate (form SR-22/SR-1P) from an insurer authorized to do business in California.
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