How to Ask the DMV to Suspend the Debtor’s License

If the judgment you are collecting is due to a vehicle accident -- AND it has not been paid within 30 days after the judgment becomes final -- you may ask the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to suspend the debtor’s driver’s license. (See California Code of Civil Procedure, Sections 116.880 and 116.870) (See also California Vehicle Code, Sections 16370-16381)

If you have a judgment for $750 or less in a vehicle accident case

Step 1. Get and fill out a:

Certificate of Facts re Unsatisfied Judgment (Form DL-17)

Step 2. Mail the filled out Form DL-17, together with a certified copy of the court’s judgment and a fee of $20.00 to the DMV.

After the debtor receives a copy of the Form DL-17 from the DMV, he or she will have 20 days to pay you. If the debtor doesn’t pay you, their driver’s license may be suspended for up to 90 days.

If your judgment is for more than $750, or you were physically injured

Step 1. Get and fill out a:

Certificate of Facts re Unsatisfied Judgment (Form DL-30)

Step 2. Mail the filled out Form DL-30, together with a certified copy of the court’s judgment and a fee of $20.00 to the DMV.

After the debtor receives a copy of the Form DL-30 from the DMV, he or she will have 20 days to pay you. If the debtor doesn’t pay you, their license may be suspended for up to 6 years.

Address for California’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV):

Department of Motor Vehicles
Attention: Civil Judgment
P. O. Box 942884
Sacramento, CA 94284-0884

For more information go to the Department of Motor Vehicle’s website, or call the DMV's Civil Judgment Unit at (916) 657-7573.

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