Registration Related Fees Effective January 1, 2015

Your DMV fees go to:

• Local government (cities/counties) 40.7%
• CHP 25.7%
• DMV 13.9%
• State highways (Caltrans) 13.0%
• Air Resources Board 1.7%
• Other state agencies 4.3%
• State General Fund 0.7%

Fees are subject to law changes. California Vehicle Code (CVC), California Harbors & Navigation Code (CH & NC), California Civil Code (CCC), California Government Code (CGC), California Health & Safety Code (CH & SC), California Code of Civil Procedures, and California Revenue & Taxation Code (CR & TC) 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 business.
• Unladen or declared gross vehicle weight (GVW)/number of axles.
• Special license plates.
• Unpaid parking violation/toll evasion bail.

The registration fee ($46), California Highway Patrol (CHP) fee ($23), vehicle license fee (VLF), 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.

Information is provided for estimation of fees only. For specific fees, see the Fee Calculator.

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, available at www.dmv.ca.gov.

County/District Fees ($1–$19 each)

DMV collects money for the following special programs on behalf of participating local counties/districts:

• SAFE ($1/$3 for CVRA). 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/$4). Provides theft prevention education and enforcement of antitheft and driving under the influence (DUI) programs.
• Abandoned vehicle abatement ($1 for CVRA). Removes and disposes of abandoned vehicles.
• Fingerprint ID ($1/$3 for CVRA). Funds local fingerprint identification (ID) programs.
• County transportation project fee (CTPF) ($10). Funds transportation projects/programs.

For a list of participating counties, see www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/reg_hdbk/main_toc.htm.

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 $3 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).

Special Equipment (SE) License Plate Fees

SE-plated vehicles are renewed every five years (2015, 2020, etc.).

Use Tax (7.5%–10%)

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 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). 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 BOE at www.boe.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 FAQS at www.dmv.ca.gov/faq/faq_vlf.htm). VLF exemption is available for disabled veterans with a 100 percent service-related disability rating, California Indian tribes/tribal members, federally-recognized Indian tribes (CVC §9104.5 and CR&TC §10781.1), specialized transportation vehicles, nonresident military personnel stationed in California, and their nonresident spouses. Historical Vehicle/Horseless Carriage License Plate (CVC §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.