How Much Does It Cost To Register a Car in California From Out of State

Cost of Registering Out-of-State Vehicles in California

Registering a vehicle imported into California from another state involves several mandatory fees payable to the California Department of Motor Vehicles and local jurisdictions. Understanding these costs is essential for new residents and anyone bringing a vehicle into the state.

Title Application Fee

When applying for a California certificate of title, you must pay a certificate of title fee of $27. This fee is collected at the time of registration and applies to all vehicles requiring a California title, regardless of vehicle type or county of residence.

Motor Vehicle Sales Tax or Use Tax

California imposes a vehicle use tax on vehicles purchased outside the state and brought into California for registration. The statewide base rate is 7.25% of the vehicle's purchase price, as established under the Sales and Use Tax Law.

The use tax is calculated on the purchase price or current fair market value, whichever is higher. California residents may claim a credit for sales or use taxes paid to another state, but the credit cannot exceed California's use tax rate. If the tax paid to another state is less than California's rate, you must pay the difference.

In addition to the state use tax, district taxes apply based on the county where the vehicle will be registered. District tax rates vary by location and typically range from 0.10% to 2.0%, making total combined rates between 7.35% and 9.25% statewide.

Registration Fee

The base registration fee varies by vehicle type, as prescribed by the California Vehicle Code Division 3, Chapter 6.

Use the Vehicle Registration Fee Calculator to determine registration fees for a nonresident vehicle (vehicles last registered outside the state of California).

Vehicle License Fee

The vehicle license fee is calculated as 0.65% of the vehicle's current market value. For newly purchased vehicles, this fee is based on the purchase price. For used vehicles, the DMV uses a depreciation schedule to determine current value.

The vehicle license fee applies annually and decreases as the vehicle ages and depreciates. Use Calculate my Fees to estimate your VLF.

Transportation Improvement Fee

California assesses an annual transportation improvement fee based on the vehicle's current market value:

This fee applies to most vehicles registered in California, including those brought in from other states.

CHP Fee

The California Highway Patrol fee is $32 annually for all vehicles, collected at the time of registration. This fee supports the operations and enforcement activities of the California Highway Patrol.

County/District Fees

Local jurisdictions may assess additional fees that vary by county. These county and district fees typically include:

• County service authority fee (varies by county, typically $1 to $6)
• Air quality management district fee (varies by district, typically $6 to $24)
• Vehicle theft prevention fee ($1 in participating counties)

Smog Abatement Fee

Vehicles subject to California's smog certification program must pay a $20 smog abatement fee at the time of initial registration. This one-time fee applies to vehicles being registered in California for the first time from out of state.

The fee does not apply to motorcycles, trailers, or vehicles exempt from smog certification requirements.

Electric Vehicle Fee

Zero-emission vehicles with a gross weight of 10,000 lbs. or less are subject to an annual electric vehicle fee of $118. This fee applies in addition to all standard vehicle registration fees and is collected at the time of registration renewal.

The electric vehicle fee does not apply to hybrid vehicles, plug-in hybrid vehicles, motorcycles, or vehicles with historical vehicle license plates.

County Tax Assessor-Collector Offices

The following offices process vehicle title and registration transactions in major California cities:

Los Angeles County Assessor
500 West Temple Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Phone: (213) 974-3211
Official Website: Los Angeles County Assessor

San Diego County Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk
1600 Pacific Highway, San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: (619) 237-0502
Official Website: San Diego County Assessor

Orange County Assessor
12 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA 92701
Phone: (714) 834-3821
Official Website: Orange County Assessor

Riverside County Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder
2724 Gateway Drive, Riverside, CA 92507
Phone: (951) 955-6200
Official Website: Riverside County Assessor

San Bernardino County Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk
222 West Hospitality Lane, San Bernardino, CA 92415
Phone: (909) 387-8307
Official Website: San Bernardino County Assessor

Santa Clara County Assessor
70 West Hedding Street, San Jose, CA 95110
Phone: (408) 299-5500
Official Website: Santa Clara County Assessor

Alameda County Assessor
1221 Oak Street, Oakland, CA 94612
Phone: (510) 272-3787
Official Website: Alameda County Assessor

Sacramento County Assessor
3636 American River Drive, Sacramento, CA 95864
Phone: (916) 875-0700
Official Website: Sacramento County Assessor

Contra Costa County Assessor
2530 Arnold Drive, Martinez, CA 94553
Phone: (925) 313-7400
Official Website: Contra Costa County Assessor

Fresno County Assessor-Recorder
2281 Tulare Street, Fresno, CA 93721
Phone: (559) 600-3534
Official Website: Fresno County Assessor