How Much Does It Cost To Transfer a Car Title?

If the transaction is completed on time, the DMV simply charges a $15.00 fee to process a CA title transfer.

Vehicle owner's have 30 days from the date of purchase to complete a vehicle title transfer. The added costs are the California vehicle licensing fees (VLF); i.e. registration fees, and most importantly the use-tax. The use tax, depending on the county in which you live or will be registering your vehicle in, is between 9% to 10% of the purchase price of the vehicle. $10,000 dollar car equals $1000 dollar in title transfer fees. It's a lot.

We break down the fee structure below so you can get an idea of approximately what you'll be needing to pay the DMV when you buy this vehicle and need to change ownership. Keep in mind also, if the vehicle is older than 4 years, it will need a smog check before you can complete the title transfer process. We encourage you make sure the seller gets the smog check done so you don't end up with a vehicle that might not be able to pass the inspection.

To get an accurate title transfer fee calculation, feel free to use our online car title transfer fee calculator. Based on your purchase price, and the county in which you plan on registering your vehicle, the system will give you an exact total which you'll need to pay the DMV, including whether or not you have to pay registration fees along with use-tax and the title transfer fee. Our system will look up the vehicle's registration history and determine the current total DMV fees owed.

Here are some of the factors that go into the title transfer fee calculation:

Vehicle purchase price (if it's a gift there's no use-tax applied but you need to complete a Statement of Facts Form - REG 256), purchase date, parking/toll violations, registration address city/county, and any special plate requests.

Use Tax – Between 7.5% - 10%. Tax collected by the county in which you indent to register your vehicle.

Transfer Fee – $15.00 or $20.00. DMV fee charge to perform a title transfer. $20.00 for out-of-state vehicles.

Registration Fee – Does not apply in all cases. Read about registration fees in the paragraph below.

Note: You won't always be required to pay California vehicle registration fees. Registration fees (along with the other fees mentioned below) are only due if the vehicle you purchase or acquire has expired registration or registration which is about to expire (75 days or less). If renewal fees are due for the vehicle, the DMV will require you to pay registration fees on top of the use tax and transfer fee. The registration fee will include various county fees, vehicle licensing fee (VLF) equal to 0.65% of the vehicle's value, and a California Highway Patrol (CHP) fee. Here is an itemized list of California vehicle registration fees:

DMV Registration Fee - $46.00 for initial registration/renewal.

Vehicle License Fee (VLF) - Based on .65% of the value of your vehicle.

Weight Fee - Applies to commercial vehicles. Determined by weight.

County/District Fees - Between $7.00 and $47.00 depending on the county in which your vehicle is registered.

Smog Abatement Fee - $20.00. Applies to vehicles which do not require a smog inspection.

Owner Responsibility Fee - $7.00 fee for failing to appear on a citation, if applicable.

CHP Fee - $24.00 authorized under CVC 9250.8, 9250.13, and 9552–9554).

Fees collected are distributed as follows: 40.7% to local government (cities/counties), 25.7% to the CHP, 13.9% to the DMV, 13.0% to Caltrans, 1.7% to the California Air Resources Board, 4.3% to other state agencies, and 0.7% to the general fund.