How Much Is Car Registration in California?
Your registration renewal is several fees added together. The biggest one depends on what your car was worth when you bought it and how old it is.
California car registration is several fees combined. Every passenger car pays a $76 registration fee, a $34 CHP fee and a transportation improvement fee of $33 to $231 based on value. The big one is the vehicle license fee: 0.65% of the car's value, which drops each year as the car ages. A new $35,000 car comes to about $536 before county fees; an older car can be under $200.
The fees on a renewal notice
| Fee | Amount | Who pays |
|---|---|---|
| Registration fee | $76 | Every vehicle |
| California Highway Patrol fee | $34 | Every vehicle |
| Vehicle license fee (VLF) | 0.65% of the car's value | Every vehicle |
| Transportation improvement fee | $33 to $231 | Every vehicle, by value |
| Smog abatement fee | $20 | Newer cars not yet due for smog checks |
| Road improvement fee | $121 | Zero-emission vehicles, model year 2020 and later |
| County and district fees | Varies | Depends on where you live |
Trucks and commercial vehicles also pay a weight fee. The registration and CHP fees can change with the state budget, and the transportation and road improvement fees are adjusted for inflation every January.
How the vehicle license fee is figured
The VLF is 0.65% of your car's value, but the DMV doesn't appraise your car. It starts from the price paid when the car was first sold new, or what you paid if you bought it used, and applies a depreciation schedule set in state law (Revenue and Taxation Code 10753.2):
| Registration year | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % of value | 100% | 90% | 80% | 70% | 60% | 50% | 40% | 30% | 25% | 20% | 15% | 15% |
Buying a used car resets the schedule: the price you paid becomes the new starting value. That's why a used car you paid a lot for can cost more to register than the same model owned by its original buyer.
The transportation improvement fee
Added in 2017 to fund road repairs, this fee is set by the same depreciated value:
| Vehicle value | Fee |
|---|---|
| $0 to $4,999 | $33 |
| $5,000 to $24,999 | $66 |
| $25,000 to $34,999 | $132 |
| $35,000 to $59,999 | $198 |
| $60,000 and up | $231 |
Examples
| Car | Value used | VLF | Transportation fee | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $35,000, registration year 1 | $35,000 | $227.50 | $198 | $536 |
| $35,000, registration year 5 | $21,000 | $136.50 | $66 | $313 |
| $35,000, registration year 10 | $7,000 | $45.50 | $66 | $222 |
| $15,000, registration year 13 | $2,250 | $14.63 | $33 | $158 |
Totals include the $76 registration and $34 CHP fees but not county fees, the smog abatement fee or the EV fee. The DMV rounds the value to the middle of a $200 range, so its figure can differ by a few dollars.
Late penalties
There's no grace period. Penalties start the day after the expiration date on your card:
| Paid late by | VLF penalty | Registration late fee | CHP late fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-10 days | 10% of VLF | $10 | $10 |
| 11-30 days | 20% of VLF | $15 | $15 |
| 31 days to 1 year | 60% of VLF | $30 | $30 |
| More than 1 year to 2 years | 80% of VLF | $50 | $50 |
| More than 2 years | 160% of VLF | $100 | $100 |
If the car is off the road, file a Planned Non-Operation (PNO) notice before the registration expires to avoid the fees. If you can't renew because of a failed smog check, pay on time anyway; the penalty is charged on late payment, not on the smog certificate.
Deducting it on your taxes
The VLF is based on the car's value, so it counts as a personal property tax. If you itemize, you can deduct it on your federal return, as part of the state and local tax deduction, and on your California return. Your renewal notice shows the VLF separately; the flat fees aren't deductible.
Run your numbers
Our Vehicle Registration Fee Estimator applies the depreciation schedule and fee tiers to your car's price and age. Buying a car? The car sales tax calculator adds sales tax and first-year fees, and the smog check exemption checker tells you whether you need an inspection.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to register a car in California?
It depends mostly on the car's value. A car bought new for $35,000 costs about $536 a year in the first year before county fees, and much less as it ages. Every car pays a $76 registration fee and a $34 CHP fee, plus a transportation fee of $33 to $231 and the 0.65% vehicle license fee.
Why is my California registration so expensive?
Because of the vehicle license fee, which is 0.65% of the car's value and is the largest part of the bill for a newer car, and the transportation improvement fee, which also rises with value. Both shrink as the car ages.
Is California car registration tax deductible?
Partly. The vehicle license fee is based on value, so it counts as a personal property tax you can deduct if you itemize, on both your federal and California returns. The flat fees are not deductible.
What is the penalty for late car registration in California?
It starts the day after your registration expires; there's no grace period. At 1 to 10 days late you pay 10% of the vehicle license fee plus $10 and $10 late fees, rising to 160% plus $100 and $100 after two years.
Do electric cars pay more to register in California?
Yes. Zero-emission vehicles from model year 2020 on pay a $121 Road Improvement Fee each year, because they don't pay gas tax.
This article is for general information only. Your DMV renewal notice shows the exact fees for your vehicle.