The cost to register a car in California depends on several factors, including the vehicle type, purchase price or declared value, date of purchase or entry into California, city and county of residence or business, vehicle weight, specialized license plates (if any), and any unpaid parking or toll violations.
You will be required to pay the following fees if your vehicle is registered for highway use: registration fees, California Highway Patrol (CHP) fees, vehicle license fees, transportation improvement fees, and county/district fees.
To help residents plan for registration-related fees, the DMV provides a vehicle registration fee calculator. Estimated results will vary based on the information you enter. All fees are subject to change depending on legislation.
California Highway Patrol (CHP) fees include a CHP fee ($32) and a CHP CVRA fee ($54). Initial registration late penalties range from $32 to $100 depending on the length of the delay. Renewal registration late penalties range from $10 to $100 depending on the length of the delay.
There are various other fees such as information request fees, motorcycle fees, miscellaneous registration and service fees, off-highway vehicle fees, penalty fees, permanent trailer identification fees, permit fees, registration fees, road improvement fees, vehicle license fees, vessel fees, special plate fees, and disabled person/veteran placard fees.
The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) offers no grace period for the payment of annual vehicle registration fees. Be sure to pay your renewal fees on or before the expiration date printed on your current registration card, otherwise, the DMV will assess penalties. Penalties increase the longer you delay payment. Penalties are added to any other fees due.
Penalties for vehicles already registered in California are determined by adding a percentage of the vehicle license fee, plus registration late fees, plus California Highway Patrol (CHP) late fees. Penalties for new or never before registered vehicles in California are calculated as a percentage of the vehicle license fee.
The Vehicle License Fee (VLF) is 0.65% of the purchase/value of the vehicle. Several groups are exempt from VLF, including disabled veterans, non-resident military personnel, California Native American Tribes and Tribal members, Federally Recognized Native American Tribes, commercial vehicles, and historical vehicles.
