Final answer:
You must notify the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) within five days if you sell or transfer your vehicle to update the title and registration, but not for smog test failures or new eye prescriptions, as they are not related to DMV duties.
Step-by-step explanation:
You must notify the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) within five days if you: sell or transfer your vehicle. This is essential as a legal requirement to ensure all the paperwork is updated, including the title and registration, which protects you from any liability that might arise after the sale or transfer. In some states, the DMV is also involved in the voter registration process; for instance, in California, when moving, a voter can update their address through the DMV system.
However, notifying the DMV after a smog test failure or updating them about a new prescription for lenses or contacts is not generally required; these actions are unrelated to the DMV's functions. It is essential to differentiate between obligations related to operating vehicles and those related to personal health, such as eye prescriptions, which are not within the DMV's purview.