Car registration fees are based on:
- Vehicle type (car, motorcycle, etc.).
- Purchase price or declared value of the vehicle.
- Date (for example, the date you bought the vehicle or the date the vehicle entered California).
- The city and/or county you live in.
- The city and/or county where your business is based.
- Your 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 outstanding parking violations or toll evasion fees.
You will likely have to 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 people plan for registration-related fees.
These fee calculators can help you:
Estimated results will vary depending on the information you enter.
All fees are subject to change depending on legislation.
California Highway Patrol (CHP) Fees
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| CHP | $32 |
| CHP CVRA | $54 |
| Original Registration Late Penalties: | |
| One year or less | $32 |
| More than one year up to (and including) two years | $54 |
| More than two years | $100 |
| Renewal Late Penalties: | |
| 1 to 10 days | $10 |
| 11 to 30 days | $15 |
| 31 days up to (and including) one year | $32 |
| More than one year up to (and including) two years | $54 |
| More than two years | $100 |
Motorcycle Registration Fees:
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Replacement ID card | $27 |
| Original Motorcycle Registration | $27 |
| Replacement License Plate | $27 |
| Transfer | $27 |
Some other Registration Fees and Services:
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Alternative Fuel/Technology Registration | $3 |
| Alternative Fuel/Technology Smog Check | $8 |
| CTIP | $3 |
| Clean Air Vehicle Decal (original/replacement) | $27 |
| County Fees | Varies by county |
| CVRA Off-Highway Vehicle | $122 |
| CVRA Weight/Year Sticker (original/replacement) | $3 |
| Dishonored Check | $30 |
| Replacement: | |
| – Title | $27 |
| – License Plates | $27 |
| – Registration Card | $27 |
| – Stickers | $27 |
| Engine Change | $2 |
| Historical Vessel Placard | $20 |
| Investigation Service | $15 |
| Lien Sale Authorization | $5 |
The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) does not have a grace period for paying your annual vehicle registration fees. Be sure to pay your renewal fees on or before the expiration date shown on your current registration card, or the DMV will assess penalties. Although your license plate only displays the month and year, your registration expires on a specific day. Be sure to check your registration card for the actual expiration date.
If you do not receive a billing notice about 60 days before your vehicle registration expires, please call us at 1-800-777-0133 to find out how much your fees are.
The longer you delay payment, the larger the penalties will be. Penalty fees are assessed in addition 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.
| If paid late by: | Percentage of Vehicle License Fee and Weight Fee | Late Registration Fee | Late CHP Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 – 10 days* | – 10% of the vehicle license fee due for that year.– 10% of the weight fee due for that year (if applicable). | $10.00 | $10.00 |
| 11 – 30 days* | – 20% of the vehicle license fee due for that year.– 20% of the weight fee due for that year (if applicable). | $15.00 | $15.00 |
Vehicle License Fee (VLF) – 0.65% of the purchase price/value of the vehicle.
For most vehicle types, you will need to pay a vehicle license fee instead of this fee being included in your property taxes. You may be able to deduct this fee on your income taxes. The vehicle license fee is based on the purchase price or value of your vehicle, and the fees are used to fund cities/counties.
Special License Plate Fees:
You may purchase special interest license plates for use on your California registered vehicles. You may be required to pay an annual renewal fee for your special interest license plates, which you can pay when you renew your registration.
Special license plate fees help fund environmental and special programs.
