The fees you pay support essential California public safety and consumer services. Information is provided for estimation of fees only. For specific fees, see the Fee Calculator.
Your DMV fees go to:
- Local government (cities/counties)
- CHP
- DMV
- State highways (Caltrans)
- Air Resources Board
- Other state agencies
- State General Fund
Fees are subject to law changes. Vehicle Code (VC), Harbors & Navigation Code (HNC), Civil Code (CC), Government Code (GC), Health & Safety Code (HSC), Code of Civil Procedures (CCP), and Revenue & Taxation Code (RTC) sections (§) are noted for reference.
Fees are due upon original registration/renewal based on:
- Vehicle type (auto, motorcycle, etc.).
- Purchase price or declared value.
- Dates (date purchased, date vehicle entered California, etc.).
- Owner’s residence county/city or business address, if a business.
- Unladen or declared gross vehicle weight (GVW)/number of axles.
- Special license plates.
- Unpaid parking violation/toll evasion bail.
The registration fee ($74, includes $3 for Alternative Fuel/Technology Registration fee), California Highway Patrol (CHP) fee ($32), vehicle license fee (VLF), Transportation Improvement Fee (TIF), and county/district fees are due for most vehicles registered for on-highway use. Registration and CHP fees are used by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and CHP to offset costs. Commercial Vehicle Registration Act (CVRA) and/or weight fees may be due for commercial vehicles.
For special license plate fees, see the Special License Plate Fees (FFVR 11) Fast Facts and for weight fees, see the Registering Commercial Vehicle and PTI Trailers (FFVR 27) Fast Facts brochures.
County/District Fees ($1–$19 each)
DMV collects money for the following special programs on behalf of participating local counties/districts:
- SAFE ($1–$3). Service Authority for Freeway Emergencies fees are used to install/maintain freeway emergency call boxes.
- Air quality ($2–$19). Fees are set by each air quality management district and used to reduce air pollution, plan, monitor, enforce, and conduct studies.
- Auto theft deterrence/DUI ($1–$6). Provides theft prevention education and enforcement of antitheft and driving under the influence (DUI) programs.
- Abandoned vehicle abatement ($1–$3). Removes and disposes of abandoned vehicles.
- Fingerprint ID ($1–$6). Funds local fingerprint identification (ID) programs.
- County transportation project fee (CTPF) ($10). Funds transportation projects/programs.
Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Fees
Due biennially to fund the California Department of Parks and Recreation Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division, OHV Trust Fund, and DMV administrative costs.
Parking/Toll Violation Bail
DMV collects delinquent parking violation/toll evasion bail (amounts set by courts) on behalf of local agencies. If you did not pay a parking/toll evasion violation on time, the bail, penalty, and service charge are added to your registration.
Permanent Trailer Identification (PTI) Fees
Trailers, except trailer coaches/park trailers, are assessed a PTI fee every five years (no VLF, registration, CHP, county, and weight fees).
Road Improvement Fee (RIF) (VC §9250.6)
The RIF is assessed on all model year 2020 and later zero emission vehicles (ZEV). RIF fees affect vehicle registration renewals unless exempted.
RIF is not assessed on the initial registration of a newly purchased ZEV from a licensed vehicle dealer.
| Fee Type | Fee Amount |
|---|---|
| Original registration/renewal | $118 |
Special Equipment (SE) License Plate Fees
SE-plated vehicles are renewed every five years (2015, 2020, etc.).
Transportation Improvement Fee (TIF) (RTC §§11050, 11051, and 11052)
TIF fees are used to repair infrastructure and provide road maintenance. TIF fees affect original vehicle registration (VR), transfers, and renewals.
| Vehicle Value | VR Fee Increase |
|---|---|
| 0-$4,999 | $32 |
| $5,000-$24,999 | $65 |
| $25,000-$34,999 | $129 |
| $35,000-$59,999 | $194 |
| $60,000 and higher | $227 |
Use Tax (7.25%–10.25%)
Use tax is due on original registration/transfer of vehicles/vessels purchased from someone other than a licensed California dealer, manufacturer, or dismantler (these entities collect tax), unless exempt (eligible family transfers) from payment of use tax or the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA), formerly known as the California State Board of Equalization (BOE), issues a use tax clearance certificate. Use tax rates vary (same as sales tax) based on the owner’s county/city of residence (not where purchased). The state, county, and/or city taxes are combined to determine the total sales/use tax rate due. For complete state, county, and city sales/use tax rate information, visit the CDTFA website at www.cdtfa.ca.gov and click on Tax & Fee Rates. If a vehicle is brought to California within 12 months of purchase, use tax may be due. If you paid sales/use tax to another state, you may receive credit toward California use tax not to exceed the California tax. For information, contact CDTFA at www.cdtfa.ca.gov or 1-800-400-7115.
Vehicle License Fee (VLF) (.65% of value)
Most vehicles are assessed a VLF, in lieu of property tax, based on the purchase price/value when acquired and funds go to cities/counties. VLF decreases for the first 11 renewal years (18 for park trailers) or until the vehicle is transferred (except certain family transfers, see the Vehicle Registration and Licensing Fee Calculators.
VLF exemption is available for:
- Disabled veterans with a 100 percent service-related disability rating.
- California Native American tribes/tribal members.
- Federally-recognized Native American tribes (CVC §9104.5 and CRTC §10781.1).
- Specialized transportation vehicles.
- Nonresident military personnel stationed in California, and their Nonresident spouses.
Historical Vehicle/Horseless Carriage License Plates (VC §5004) VLF is $2.
VLF is the only part of registration you may deduct on your income tax. For details on how VLF is used, contact your city/county government.
| Vessel Fees (CVC §§9851, 9852.7, 9853, 9853.5, 9855, 9860–9863, CHNC §675) | Vessel/Quagga | Quagga Exempt |
|---|---|---|
| Original (except nonresident)* | ||
| —Sold in even year | $37 | $29 |
| —Sold in odd year | $65 | $49 |
| Penalty | ||
| —Sold in even year | $10 | $10 |
| —Sold in odd year | $25 | $25 |
| Nonresident* | ||
| —Sold or due in even year | $65 | $57 |
| —Sold or due in odd year | $93 | $77 |
| Penalty | ||
| —Sold or due in even year | $24 | $24 |
| —Sold or due in odd year | $39 | $39 |
| Renewal | ||
| Biennial renewal (due in odd years) | $36 | $20 |
| Penalty | $10 | $10 |
| Transfer (except between dealers) | $15 | $15 |
| Penalty | $8 | $8 |
| Replacement (title or registration) | $15 | $15 |
| Repossession | $15 | $15 |
The following are exempt from the Quagga Mussel fee:
- Vessels used only in marine waters.
- Annual exempt youth group (type license [TL] V6).
- Annual exempt government (TL V7).
- CF numbers issued to dealers (TL V3).
- CF numbers issued to manufacturers (TL V4).
Other Registration Related Fees
- Special License Plate and Disabled Person Placard Fees — Refer to Special License Plate Fees
- Weight Fees for Commercial Vehicles with Declared Gross Vehicle Weight 10,000 lbs. or Less — Refer to Registering Commercial Vehicles and PTI Trailers
- Weight Fees for Commercial Motor Vehicles with Declared Gross Vehicle Weight Over 10,000 lbs. — Refer to Registering Commercial Vehicles and PTI Trailers
