The California car program, often referred to as the Cap Car Program, is designed to improve air quality by offering incentives for eligible vehicle owners to retire their older, more polluting vehicles. If you’re considering participating in this program, you likely have questions. This comprehensive FAQ guide will address the most common inquiries regarding the Cap Car Program, application procedures, vehicle retirement, and more.
General FAQs about the Cap Car Program
Your go-to resource for common questions about applying for vehicle retirement under the Cap Car Program.
Application Review and Processing FAQs for the Cap Car Program
Need clarity on the application review and processing stages of the Cap Car Program? Find answers here.
Vehicle Retirement FAQs under the Cap Car Program
Everything you need to know about retiring your vehicle through the Cap Car Program.
General FAQs about the Cap Car Program
Can I submit my Cap Car Program application by mail?
Yes, you can apply for the Cap Car Program by mail. However, for a faster and more efficient application process, we strongly recommend applying online. The online application system streamlines the submission and review, potentially reducing processing time. If you prefer a paper application, you can download a printable version in both English and Spanish:
English CAP Application Form
Spanish CAP Application Form
Alternatively, you can request a physical application form to be mailed to you by calling us at (866) 272-9642.
Is it necessary to upload documents verifying my household income after applying for the Cap Car Program?
Yes, uploading documents that verify your household income is a crucial step in the Cap Car Program application process. Providing this documentation promptly can significantly reduce the overall processing time of your application. To ensure a smooth process, please visit our Income Eligibility Requirement page. This page provides a comprehensive list of acceptable document options that you can use to verify your income for the Cap Car Program. You can conveniently upload these documents through our CAP Status Check tool.
How can I check the status of my Cap Car Program application?
Staying informed about your Cap Car Program application status is easy. You can use our online status check tool at any time to get real-time updates. To access your application status, you will need your CAP ID number and your vehicle license plate number. Keep these details handy to quickly check the progress of your application.
Application Review and Processing FAQs for the Cap Car Program
What is the most frequent reason for a Cap Car Program application to be marked as incomplete or deficient?
The most common reason applications to the Cap Car Program are deemed incomplete or deficient is the absence of income verification documents. As part of the eligibility criteria for the Cap Car Program, we require documentation to verify your household income. Eligibility for the program cannot be determined until this income verification is successfully completed. Please refer to the Income Eligibility Requirement page for guidance on acceptable documentation to avoid delays in your Cap Car Program application.
If the Cap Car Program requires additional information or documentation to complete my application, how will I be informed?
If, during the review of your Cap Car Program application, we determine that additional information or documentation is needed, we will promptly send you a notice of deficiency. This notice will clearly specify the exact information and/or documentation that you are required to submit. Providing the requested items as indicated in the notice is essential for your application to be considered complete and to proceed with the Cap Car Program processing.
What are the primary reasons for denial of a Cap Car Program application?
Several factors can lead to the denial of a Cap Car Program application. Here are the most common reasons:
- Vehicle Smog Check Requirement: Your vehicle must meet specific Smog Check standards to be eligible for the Cap Car Program. We review Smog Check records to confirm your vehicle’s inspection history. Vehicles that fail or are due for a Smog Check may be ineligible.
- Continuous California Registration: The Cap Car Program requires that your vehicle has been continuously registered in California as an operable vehicle for at least two years immediately before the application date. We verify vehicle registration history through DMV records.
- Past Due Vehicle Registration Fees: Your vehicle’s registration status must be current to qualify for the Cap Car Program. We check DMV records to confirm this. If your vehicle’s registration sticker has expired before you apply, you will need to resolve this with the DMV regarding registration options before proceeding with your Cap Car Program application.
- Vehicle Title Lienholder: If there is a lienholder listed on your vehicle’s title, it can affect your eligibility for the Cap Car Program. We review DMV records to verify legal ownership. If a lienholder is present, it must be officially removed from the vehicle title. Contact the DMV for detailed information on how to remove a lienholder from a vehicle title.
- Vehicle Ownership Change in Progress: If your vehicle is currently undergoing a change of ownership, it may not be eligible for the Cap Car Program. DMV records are checked to ensure that the vehicle is not in the process of changing ownership.
- Registered Owner Mismatch: The name on the Cap Car Program application must precisely match the name of the registered owner as recorded on the vehicle’s title (pink slip) according to DMV records. Discrepancies will lead to denial.
- Recent CAP Vehicle Retirement: To ensure equitable distribution of program benefits, there are restrictions on how frequently individuals can participate in the Cap Car Program. We verify records to confirm that you have not retired a vehicle as a sole owner, or two vehicles as a co-owner, within the 12-month period preceding your current application date.
If my Cap Car Program application is denied, and I resolve the reason(s) for denial, do I need to re-apply?
No, you do not need to submit a new application for the Cap Car Program if your initial application is denied and you subsequently resolve the denial reason(s). Instead of reapplying, you can upload the necessary documentation that proves the denial reason(s) have been resolved. Alternatively, you can mail this documentation to:
BAR, Attention: CAP
10949 N. Mather Blvd
Rancho Cordova, CA 95670
Submitting proof of resolution allows us to re-evaluate your eligibility without requiring you to restart the entire application process.
After uploading documentation, how long does it typically take for the Cap Car Program to review it and re-evaluate my eligibility?
Once you upload documentation to resolve a denial reason for your Cap Car Program application, our team at BAR will review it within approximately four weeks of receipt. After the review is complete, we will send you an updated determination notice regarding your eligibility for the Cap Car Program. Please allow up to four weeks for this review process.
I applied to retire my vehicle for $2,000 through the Cap Car Program, but my approval letter states $1,500. Why is there a difference in the incentive amount?
The Cap Car Program offers two different vehicle retirement incentive options, which provide varying payment amounts. When we process applications, we assess them based on current program regulations and the specific details of your application. In your case, based on the review, it was determined that you qualify for the standard incentive amount of $1,500, rather than the higher amount of $2,000. The specific criteria for each incentive level are based on program guidelines designed to maximize the impact of the Cap Car Program on air quality.
Vehicle Retirement FAQs under the Cap Car Program
Will the dismantler accept my vehicle for the Cap Car Program if it is not in driving condition?
No, vehicles accepted into the Cap Car Program must be in operational condition. Your vehicle must meet all specified equipment and operational requirements at the time of retirement. Non-drivable vehicles do not meet these requirements and cannot be accepted by the dismantler participating in the Cap Car Program.
When will I receive the incentive payment for retiring my vehicle through the Cap Car Program?
You will receive your incentive payment promptly after retiring your vehicle through the Cap Car Program. The dismantler will issue a check to you immediately after they have completed two key steps:
- Verification of your identification: The dismantler needs to verify your identity to ensure you are the registered owner(s) of the vehicle as listed on the eligibility letter from the Cap Car Program.
- Vehicle Inspection: Your vehicle must pass both equipment and operational inspections conducted by the dismantler to confirm it meets the Cap Car Program requirements.
Once these verifications are successful, the dismantler will issue a check. The check will be made payable to the registered owner(s) exactly as their name(s) appear on the official letter of eligibility provided by the Cap Car Program.
Can the dismantler provide me with transportation home after I retire my vehicle through the Cap Car Program?
No, dismantlers participating in the Cap Car Program are not authorized to provide transportation or rides home after you retire your vehicle. It is your responsibility to arrange your own transportation from the dismantler location after you have completed the vehicle retirement process under the Cap Car Program. Please plan accordingly for your transportation needs.
Still Have Questions About the Cap Car Program?
For more detailed information or if you have further questions not covered in this FAQ, please do not hesitate to contact us. You can call us directly at (866) 272-9642. Our phone lines are open Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding state holidays. We are here to assist you with any inquiries you may have regarding the Cap Car Program and the vehicle retirement process.
