California Code, Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 10757

(a) No additional license fee shall be imposed under this part upon any vehicle upon the transfer of ownership of the vehicle, except as provided under Section 9563 of the Vehicle Code, if any license fee due thereon has already been paid for the year in which the transfer of ownership occurs.

(b) In the event that additional fees are required on a vehicle due to a prior departmental error, no penalty shall be assessed against the application for the transfer of registration when the required additional fees are paid.