California car registration fees are based on several factors, including:
- Vehicle type (car, motorcycle, etc.).
- Purchase price or declared value of the vehicle.
- Date (e.g., date you purchased the vehicle or the date the vehicle entered California).
- City and/or county you live in.
- City and/or county where your business is based.
- Vehicle’s unladen weight or declared gross vehicle weight (GVW) and number of axles.
- Any special license plates your vehicle may have.
- Whether you have any unpaid parking violations or toll evasion.
You will likely pay the following fees if your vehicle is registered for highway use:
- Registration Fee
- California Highway Patrol (CHP) Fee
- Vehicle License Fee
- Transportation Improvement Fee
- County/District Fees
The DMV provides vehicle registration fee calculators to help residents budget. Your estimate will vary depending on the information you enter. All fees are subject to change depending on legislation.
California Highway Patrol (CHP) fees include CHP and CHP CVRA fees, along with penalties for late initial registration or renewal.
Information request fees include electronic and manual request fees, as well as historical fees.
Motorcycle fees include ID card replacement, new motorcycle registration, replacement plates, and transfer fees.
There are various registration and miscellaneous service fees, including alternative fuel/technology fees, clean vehicle sticker fees, county fees, CVRA fees, and more.
Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) fees are paid biennially to fund the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division of the California Department of Parks and Recreation, the OHV Trust Fund, and DMV administrative costs.
The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) does not offer an extension of time to pay your annual vehicle registration fees. Penalties are added to any other fees due.
Penalties for vehicles registered in California are determined by adding a percentage of the vehicle license fee, plus a late registration fee, plus a California Highway Patrol (CHP) late fee.
Penalties for new vehicles or vehicles never registered in California are based on a percentage of the vehicle license fee.
Permanent Trailer Identification (PTI) fees include initial/conversion fees, ID card replacement, certificate of ownership replacement, and other related fees.
Permit fees encompass various permits, such as California Fuel Tax Trip Permits, Nonresident Trip Permits, and Unladen Weight Permits.
Registration fees include initial/renewal registration fees, including Alternative Fuel/Technology Fees. The Road Improvement Fee (RIF) is assessed on all zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) from 2020 and newer.
Transportation Improvement Fees (TIF) are used for road, bridge, and highway maintenance and repairs. TIF fees affect original vehicle registration (VR), transfers, and renewals.
The Vehicle License Fee (VLF) is 0.65% of the purchase/value of a vehicle. The vehicle license fee depreciates over the vehicle’s first 11 registration years or until the vehicle is transferred, whichever occurs first.
Certain groups are exempt from vehicle license fees, including disabled veterans, nonresident military personnel, California Native American tribes, and certain specialized vehicles.
Vessel fees include initial, renewal, alternative fuel/technology, and Quagga Mussel fees, when applicable. Some vessels are exempt from Quagga Mussel fees.
You can purchase special interest license plates for use on your California-registered vehicles. You may be required to pay an annual renewal fee for special interest license plates, which can be paid when you renew your registration. Special license plate fees help fund environmental and special programs.
Disabled Person/Veteran (DP/DV) placard fees include permanent and temporary DP parking placards, as well as DV parking placards. Temporary placards are issued at no cost to permanent placard owners.
