How does CA arrive at DMV registration fees (sales, crime)

[family first]

How does the state calculate the annual registration fee? Value, age, type of vehicle? Are these fees high compared to other states?

[ferretkona]

annual registration fee is $69 plus county charges
Also added is a yearly tax on the value.
Pick up trucks and commercial vans all encur a commercial tax based on weight.
Some autos will add a gas guzzler tax, this includes high performance Mustangs like the 5.0 Boss.

[Fighter 1]

Originally Posted by family first

How does the state calculate the annual registration fee? Value, age, type of vehicle? Are these fees high compared to other states?

California has a really simple way of figuring the registration charge.
This is their formular.
Amount of money needed for upcomming budget. $0000000
Divided by the number of vehicles registered in the last yr.00000
Then just to be safe they double that amount ! $00000000000000000.

[Dean Trails]

i am probably being a bit flippant but,,,,,,

How does CA arrive at DMV registration fees

In a big fricken SUV!! It gives the State the most revenue!
Buy a tiny, tinny "B" car and pay the least.

Anyway, license fees are the least of your worries in Cali. There are so many other taxes that will lighten your wallet. So many, so many....

[1200RT]

The large portion of the overall reg fee is what CA calls the Vehicle License Fee (VLF). This fee VLF is calculated based off of the purchase price of a vehicle, or its value (according to the State). I don't remember the exact calculation, but its somewhere in the 1.2-1.5 range. After initial purchase, the State is kind enough to factor in deprecation.

Then, they tack on a bunch of taxes/fees.

Below is the breakdown for one of my cars, for an example.


Current Registration: 43.00
Current California Highway Patrol: 23.00
Current Vehicle License Fee: 274.00
Current County Service Authority for Freeway Emergencies Fee: 1.00
Current Fingerprint ID Fee: 1.00
Current Smog High Polluter Repair Fee: 6.00
Original Smog Abatement: 6.00
Alt Fuel/Tech Smog Fee: 8.00
Current Auto Theft and/or DUI Crime Deterrence Program: 1.00
Current Air Quality Management District: 6.00
Current South Coast Air Basin: 1.00
Alt Fuel/Tech Reg Fee: 3.00
Reflectorized License Plate Fee: 1.00

Total Registration Fees: $374.00

[evergraystate]

And thats why I always buy used cars.

[family first]

Yes, I have a few cars 10 years or older and am still paying $200-300 each. Each state has their own formula? Anyone have a 1-2 year old car that cost between $30-40K. How much did that cost???? Scam

[Ultrarunner]

Buying a used car does not of itself equate lower costs.

A few years ago, I sold my restored Model A Ford... the new owner registration, license and fees were more than the car cost new!

[KarlaT2]

My registration on 2007 Honda has been around $200 last few years. I paid $30 no matter what type or value of vehicle when I lived in Oregon.

[Ultrarunner]

Originally Posted by KarlaT2

My registration on 2007 Honda has been around $200 last few years. I paid $30 no matter what type or value of vehicle when I lived in Oregon.

Oregon has some real advantages when it comes to cars...

No Sales Tax on the purchase and low licences fees...

Classic and Antique cars can get a 5 year plate for nominal fee...