Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 9884.5
A registration that is not renewed within three years following its expiration shall not be renewed, restored, or reinstated thereafter, and the delinquent registration shall be canceled immediately upon expiration of the three-year period.
An automotive repair dealer whose registration has been canceled by operation of this section shall obtain a new registration only if he or she again meets the requirements set forth in this chapter relating to registration, is not subject to denial under Section 480, and pays the applicable fees.
An expired registration may be renewed at any time within three years after its expiration upon the filing of an application for renewal on a form prescribed by the bureau and the payment of all accrued renewal and delinquency fees. Renewal under this section shall be effective on the date on which the application is filed and all renewal and delinquency fees are paid. If so renewed, the registration shall continue in effect through the expiration date of the current registration year as provided in Section 9884.3, at which time the registration shall be subject to renewal.
Ca. Bus. and Prof'l. Code § 9884.5