California Code, Vehicle Code - VEH § 38246

(a) A penalty shall be added upon any application for renewal of identification made on or after the day following the expiration date, except as provided in Section 4605, 38121, or 38247.

(b) If the fee specified in subdivision (a) or (b) of Section 38255 is not paid within 10 days after the fee becomes delinquent, a penalty shall be assessed.

(c) If renewal fee penalties have not accrued and the ownership of the vehicle is transferred, the transferee has 20 days from the date of transfer to pay the identification fees that become due without payment of any penalties that would otherwise be required under subdivision (a) or to file a certificate of nonoperation pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 38121, if the vehicle will not be operated, used, or transported on public property or private property in a manner so as to subject the vehicle to identification during the subsequent identification period without first making application for identification of the vehicle, including full payment of all fees.

(d) Except as otherwise provided in this section, if any fee is not paid within 20 days after the fee becomes delinquent, a penalty shall be assessed.