Senate Bill Requires DMV To Tell Motorists About Recalls

Sacramento, CA — The state Department of Motor Vehicles would have to tell motorists about auto safety recalls under a bill approved by the Senate Tuesday.

The D-M-V would be required to include the recall notices in the vehicle registration forms it sends to motorists under the bill.

Auto manufacturers would be required to compile a list of recalled vehicles and provide that information to D-M-V.

Manufacturers already must send recall notices to vehicle owners, but Senator Debra Bowen says those warnings frequently aren´t seen or are discarded as junk mail and the repairs are never made.

Automakers also must tell the D-M-V when a recall affects pollution control devices. Vehicle owners must repair the defect before they can complete their annual vehicle registration.