California Code, Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 10851

Except as otherwise provided, the vehicle license fee is due and payable to the department each year on or before the expiration date assigned by the director. The fee shall be paid to the department at the time provided in the Vehicle Code for the registration or renewal of registration of the vehicle.

This section shall become operative on July 1, 1977, unless a later enacted statute, which is chaptered before July 1, 1977, deletes or extends such date.