Lying to the DMV Can Land You in Serious Trouble
Let’s say that for one reason or another, you decide to apply for a second driver’s license. You use a false name or a false birth date and submit your application to the California Department of Motor Vehicles. You figure you’re not really hurting anyone, so the offense can’t be that serious, right? Wrong.
By providing false information to the DMV, you subject yourself to a misdemeanor under Vehicle Code 20 VC California’s law against making false statements to the DMV or CHP and to a felony under California’s perjury laws.
Vehicle Code 20 VC California’s law against making false statements to the DMV or CHP is specific to this type of offense. If convicted, you face up to six months in jail and a maximum $1,000 fine.
California’s perjury laws are much more comprehensive and include making false statements under penalty of perjury…a statement that you sign when applying for any DMV-related document. This means that by simply providing a wrong name or birthday to the DMV under penalty of perjury, you potentially subject yourself to a felony, punishable by two, three, or four years in the state prison and a maximum $10,000 fine.
Lying to the DMV is a big deal…you might want to think twice before doing so.
