Car owners in California should wait until they get a note in the mail from the Department of Motor Vehicles before they register their vehicles next month.

A recently passed state Senate bill prohibits the renewal of vehicle registration until either the registration expiration date or until the DMV generates a renewal notice — whichever comes first. Also, the new law requires that the renewal notice be mailed out to the car owner on the expiration date, or close to it, instead of the previous practice of 60 days prior.

As a result, the DMV is advising motorists to hold off on renewing their registration in July until they get their notice.

“Our best advice is this: Wait until you receive a bill from us before you pay your fees,” DMV director George Valverde said. “We will begin mailing billing notices on July 1, and all customers will be given a 30-day grace period to pay fees without penalty.”

wreisman@sfexaminer.com