After leaving the DMV I went online and discovered that under VC9562 I am not required to pay the penalties and fees because I was unaware at time of purchase.

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d03/vc9562.htm

I returned on 12/31 to the original DMV to tell them I was unable to contact previous owner. A new clerk told me that the previous clerk on 12/29 was wrong, and that all new owners are required to pay penalties and fees. This clerk had also discussed it with her manager. I was also told that each DMV has different guidelines to follow.

I was basically told that VC 9262 does take president over each DMVs guidelines, and I was SOL. I ended up paying the fees and penalties. It seems to me that people just pay the fees without actually looking into the law in this circumstance, and most DMV clerks and managers don't completely understand most laws so they get away with it.

Is there anyone I can speak to, since I called the 1-800 # and they basically told me to go to the first DMV and ask them for more assistance. They also said that each DMV has different procedures.

The thing that bothered me the most was that both DMV office managers had no intention to review VC9562, and would rather just collect the money due. If I had been told my story did not seem valid, at least I could have understood then that it was up to the DMV office to choose, but they acted as if there was no other option that to pay the fees due.