On a California used car you'll pay sales tax (from a dealer) or use tax (from a private party) at the rate for where you register it, plus DMV fees: a $76 registration fee, a $34 CHP fee, a vehicle license fee of 0.65% of the price, a Transportation Improvement Fee of $33 to $231 based on value, a $15 transfer fee, and smog-related fees depending on the car's age. From a dealer, add a document processing charge capped at $85 ($70 for dealers not in DMV's electronic program), plus any electronic filing charge.
Educational information only. This article is not legal, tax or financial advice. Amounts are from DMV's fee schedule as of October 2026; use DMV's calculator for your exact total.
In this article
The full list
| Item | Amount | Who collects |
|---|---|---|
| Sales tax (dealer) or use tax (private party) | Local rate on the full price; statewide base 7.25% plus district taxes | Dealer, or DMV at registration |
| Registration fee | $76 (includes $3 alternative fuel/technology fee) | DMV |
| CHP fee | $34 | DMV |
| Vehicle license fee (VLF) | 0.65% of price or value | DMV |
| Transportation Improvement Fee | $33 (under $5,000) · $66 ($5,000–$24,999) · $132 ($25,000–$34,999) · $198 ($35,000–$59,999) · $231 ($60,000+) | DMV |
| Transfer fee | $15 | DMV |
| County or district fees | Vary by county | DMV |
| Smog fees | See below | DMV or smog station |
| Dealer document processing charge | Up to $85, or $70 without DMV electronic registration (VC §4456.5); taxable | Dealer |
| Electronic filing charge | What the dealer actually pays its registration service provider | Dealer |
Sources: DMV registration fees (Opens in new window), VC §4456.5 (Opens in new window).
Smog fees by vehicle age
| Vehicle | What you pay |
|---|---|
| 4 model years old or newer, on transfer | $8 smog transfer fee instead of a smog check (VC §4000.1) |
| Older than 4 model years, on transfer | A smog check, provided by the seller, plus the station's charges |
| 8 model years or newer, at registration | $20 smog abatement fee (HSC §44060) |
See Do you have to smog a car after you buy it? and What is the smog abatement fee?
Worked example
A $12,000 used car from a dealer, registered where the rate is an example 9%:
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Sales tax (9% × ($12,000 + $85 doc fee)) | $1,087.65 |
| Doc fee | $85.00 |
| Registration | $76.00 |
| CHP | $34.00 |
| VLF (0.65% × $12,000) | $78.00 |
| Transportation Improvement Fee | $66.00 |
| Transfer | $15.00 |
| Approximate total over the price | About $1,440, before county fees and any smog or electronic filing charges |
Frequently asked questions
How much are tax, title and license on a used car in California?
Sales or use tax at your local rate, plus DMV fees that include $76 registration, $34 CHP, 0.65% VLF, a $33 to $231 transportation fee and a $15 transfer fee, plus smog and county fees.
What is the maximum doc fee in California?
$85 for dealers in DMV's electronic registration program, $70 for others (VC §4456.5).
Does a trade-in lower the tax?
No. California taxes the full selling price. See Does a trade-in reduce sales tax in California?
Related questions
- What is the vehicle license fee in California?
- California dealer doc fee limit
- Sales tax on a private-party car sale
- Back to the California Dealer License FAQ
Resources
- California DMV: Registration fees (Opens in new window)
- California DMV: Fee calculator (Opens in new window)
- CDTFA: Find a sales and use tax rate (Opens in new window)
- California Vehicle Code §4456.5 (doc fee) (Opens in new window)
Sources: DMV registration fees (Opens in new window) (page updated Oct. 14, 2026) · VC §4456.5 · CDTFA dealer guide (Opens in new window) (doc fee taxable, DMV fees not). Verified 2026-10-16.
This article is for educational purposes only and is not legal, tax or financial advice. Fees change; use DMV's fee calculator and CDTFA's rate finder for exact amounts. The 9% rate is an example only.