California Code, Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 10856

(a) Except as provided in Section 9553 of the Vehicle Code, upon receipt of the application for renewal of registration, the department shall collect the required fee for the current registration year. No penalty shall be imposed if the department receives the application prior to or on the date the vehicle is first operated, moved, or left standing upon any highway during its current registration year and the applicant has timely filed, pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 4604 of the Vehicle Code, a certification that the vehicle will not be operated, moved, or left standing upon any highway during the current registration year without first making an application for registration of the vehicle, including full payment of fees.

(b) If an application for renewal of registration is accompanied by an application for transfer of title, that application may be made without incurring a penalty for delinquent payment of fees not later than 20 days after the date the vehicle is first operated, moved, or left standing on any highway if a certification pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 4604 of the Vehicle Code was timely filed with the department.

(c) Upon receipt of an application for original registration, the department shall collect the required fee for the current registration year. No penalty shall be imposed if the department receives the application and fee within 20 days after the fee becomes due.