Forms & Fees · fee schedule
California DMV fees
Every California DMV fee in one place — driver's license and ID, vehicle registration, title transfer, smog, and replacements. Each fixed fee is cited to its official source. Fees that vary — use tax (by where you live) and the smog inspection (by station) — are marked as such rather than guessed.
Driver's license & ID cards
Driver's license (Class C, original)
$46
Driver's license renewal (Class C)
$46
Replacement driver's license
$37
Motorcycle license (M1/M2)
$46
Add a motorcycle endorsement (M1/M2) to a license
Same as a standalone motorcycle license.
$46
ID card (original, renewal, or replacement)
$40
Senior citizen ID card (62+)
No fee
Reduced-fee ID card
$11
REAL ID upgrade
Included in the driver's license / ID card fee.
No extra fee
Veteran designation
No separate fee — added when you get or renew a license or ID card.
No fee
Behind-the-wheel drive retest
$9
Driver record (copy)
Copy of your California driver record: $2 online, $5 by mail or in person (amounts set by CCR Title 13 §350.44; Vehicle Code §1811 is the enabling authority).
$2–$5
Commercial licenses (CDL)
Commercial license (Class A/B, original)
$100
Commercial license (Class A/B, renewal)
$59
Commercial license (Class C, original or renewal)
$59
Vehicle registration
Registration fee (base)
Includes the $3 alternative-fuel/technology fee (VC §9250.1).
$76
California Highway Patrol (CHP) fee
$34
Vehicle license fee (VLF)
Of the vehicle's current value; changes as the value is reassessed.
0.65% of value
Transportation improvement fee
Scaled by the vehicle's value.
$33–$231
County / district fees
Local fees set by your county or district (VC §9250.2 et seq.).
Varies by county
Weight fee (trucks & commercial)
Applies to commercial vehicles, scaled by weight.
Varies by weight
Late registration penalty
From 10% of the VLF + $10 + $10 (1–10 days late) up to 160% + $100 + $100 after 2 years.
Tiered
Planned non-operation (PNO)
$28
Registration reinstatement
To reinstate a lapsed registration, where offered (e.g. at a DMV Now kiosk).
$14
Title, transfer & tax
Title transfer fee
Vehicle Code §9255.
$15
Use tax (on a purchase)
Charged at the tax rate where you live. Gifts and qualifying family transfers are exempt.
% of value
Gift or qualifying family transfer
Claimed with a REG 256 Statement of Facts.
Use-tax exempt
Smog transfer fee
Selling a vehicle under 4 years old.
$8
Smog
Smog abatement fee
Newer vehicles, in lieu of a smog inspection.
$20
Smog certificate fee
Fixed; charged by the station on a pass.
$8.25
Smog inspection
Not regulated by BAR — prices differ by station.
Varies by station
Replacements, duplicates & plates
Duplicate / replacement title
Vehicle Code §9265.
$28
Duplicate registration card
$28
Duplicate / replacement plates
$28
Duplicate sticker
$28
Personalized & special-interest plates
Initial and annual-renewal fees vary by plate program; paid at registration.
Varies by program
Disabled person placards
Permanent disabled person (DP) placard
No fee for the placard or DP plates; replacements are also free.
No fee
Temporary disabled person placard
Vehicle Code §22511.59(b). Permanent placards and DP plates are free.
$6
If you're late
Late registration penalty
Added on top of the registration fee — it grows the longer you wait.
1–10 days late 10% of the VLF + $10 registration + $10 CHP
11–30 days late 20% of the VLF + $15 + $15
31 days to 1 year 60% of the VLF + $30 + $30
1 to 2 years 80% of the VLF + $50 + $50
More than 2 years 160% of the VLF + $100 + $100
Use our pillar guides for context on each fee: license renewal, registration renewal, title transfer, and smog. The use tax on a purchase is set by the CDTFA at your local rate.
Sources. California DMV — Licensing fees · California DMV — Registration fees · California BAR — Smog Check · California DMV — DMV Now kiosks · California DMV — Disabled person parking placards · California CDTFA — Use tax
Last verified June 27, 2026 · verified against official DMV data.