California Deals include both DMV License Fees and Smog Fees.  There are several factors that determine how these fees are automatically calculated by Grapevine F&I.  This page explains how these fees are calculated.

• CA Base DMV Fee is being increased from $41 to $44.
• Smog Abatement is being increased from $12 to $20.

How the California DMV License Fees are Calculated (Including Smog Fees).

(Price of the Vehicle rounded to the nearest odd one hundred dollars amount) multiplied by the  (DMV Multiplier (currently .0065))

+ DMV Add-On Amount  (This is the county add-on fee which varies from county to county.  It is typically around 10 or 11 dollars).  Here's a current chart of those rates.

+ California Base DMV Fee Amount  (Currently $44.00 for all of California).  This includes the Registration Fee of $34 and the CHP Fee of $10.)

+ $1.00 Reflective License Plate Amount  

+ $20.00 Smog Abatement  -  If the vehicle is Gas Driven

=  California DMV License Fee

(Price of the Vehicle rounded to the nearest odd one hundred dollars amount) multiplied by the  (DMV Multiplier (currently .0065))

+ DMV Add-On Amount  (This is the county add-on fee which varies from county to county.  It is typically around 10 or 11 dollars).  Here's a current chart of those rates.

+ California Base DMV Fee Amount  (Currently $44.00 for all of California).  This includes the Registration Fee of $34 and the CHP Fee of $10.)

+ $15.00  Title Transfer Fee Amount

+ $20.00 Smog Abatement Fee  - If the vehicle is Gas Driven AND 6 model years old or less

+ $8.00 Smog Waiver Fee - If the vehicle is Gas Driven AND 4 model years old or less

=  California DMV License Fee

If the vehicle is greater then 4 model years old then the $8.00 Smog Waiver Fee is not charged and the Dealer Smog Fee (typically $50.00) and the State Smog Cert. fee ($8.25) are charged.

  $15.00  Title Transfer Fee Amount

+ $8.00 Smog Waiver Fee - If the vehicle is 4 model years old or less

=  California DMV License Fee

If the vehicle is greater then 4 model years old then the $8.00 Smog Waiver Fee is not charged and the Dealer Smog Fee (typically $50.00) and the State Smog Cert. fee ($8.25) are charged. 

How do I setup my California Smog fees and California License Fees?

Smog fees are setup in Grapevine System Setup.  

 Navigate in Grapevine to the "System Setup DMV Fees" Screen:

• From the Loan Main Screen press the letter "O" to get to the "Other" menu.
• Select the last item on the list, "System Setup".
• Enter your password if prompted.
• Select #1 on the List, "System-Wide Software Setup".
• Enter "Y" to get past the warning prompt.
• Press the PageDown key on your keyboard to get to the 2nd page.

This page contains both your Smog Fee Amounts as well as parts of the California license fee.

1. DMV Add On Amount is a flat fee which varies from county to county.  Here's the current chart for 2008.  You can download a table with these values for your system here.
2. DMV Electronic Filing Fee is an optional fee which allows a customer to receive their license plate right away.  When used, this fee is typically $28.00.  If you do not use an Electronic Filing Fee make sure that this is set to $0.00.  Some dealers updating their software from very old versions may see an erroneous $300.00 value in this field.  If you do not use this service make sure you zero out this field!
3. Dealer Smog Fee Amount is the cost the dealer may pass on to the customer to cover the price of smogging a vehicle.  The max fee allowed is $50.00.  Be aware that used vehicles 4 model years or younger no longer require a smog certificate at the time of sale.  A deal with such a vehicle may not include the $50.00 dealer smog fee.  The Smog Waiver Fee (Smog Exemption Fee)  will be charged instead. 
4. California State Smog Fee is the fee the state requires for smogging a vehicle.  This fee is currently $8.25.  Be aware that used vehicles 4 model years or younger no longer require a smog certificate at the time of sale.  A deal with such a vehicle may not include the $8.25 state smog fee.  The new Smog Waiver Fee will be charged instead. 
5. Smog Abatement Fee is the $20.00 fee charged on the sale of both new and used vehicles six or less model years old.  (For the year 2008 this includes the 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008 model years.)   This fee off-sets the cost of not having to smog your vehicle for the first four years. 
6. Smog Waiver Fee (Smog Exemption Fee) went into effect January 1st 2005.  In 2004 legislation was passed that would no longer require used vehicles less then four model years old to be smogged prior to sale.  Before this change the state would charge a $8.25 State Smog Fee and the dealer could charge the customer up to $50.00 (dealer smog fee).  To prevent the state from losing the $8.25 revenue this new fee has been created.  This fee requires a $8.00 transfer fee be charged on used vehicles four model years old or less.  For calendar year 2008 this includes model years 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008.  Neither the $50.00 dealer smog fee nor the $8.25 state smog fee may be charged on the sale of these vehicles.
7. CA Base DMV Fee has 2 parts totaling $44.00
   1. $34.00 for the CA Base DMV Fee
   2.   $10.00 for the new California CHP fee.
8. Smog Abatement Fee is the fee charged on vehicles with a model year equal to or less then six years ago.  (If the year is 2008 then 2003-2008 model years are charged this fee.)  This fee off-sets the cost of not having to smog your vehicle for the first 6 years. 
9. CA DMV Multiplier is .65.  It represents .65% or .0065.
10. CA DMV RLP Fee Amount is $1.00 charged on new cars.

Once you have entered in the correct fee amounts press the "Enter" key several times until you have returned to the "Loan Main Screen" to save your changes.

More Details Regarding CA Smog Fees (Updated 6/17/2008)

When the DMV counts model years it is inclusive.  In other words for calendar year 2008 when DMV says a vehicle 6 model years old or newer, they mean 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008.  When DMV says a vehicle 4 model years old or newer they mean 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008.

• Only deals with gasoline driven vehicles may include smog fees.
• Vehicles with model years 1975 or older are not smogged, and may not be charged smog fees.
• A gas driven new vehicle deal will always include the $20.00 Smog Abatement Fee and the DMV Registration Fees.
• Any time a gasoline driven vehicle is sold beyond the initial sale, (a used vehicle), it must include either the Dealer and State Smog Fees, or the Smog Waiver fee, (aka Smog Transfer Fee).  There will never be a deal with both.

  • On the sale of a used gas vehicle  less then 4 years old, charge the $8.00 Smog Waiver Fee.  If the Model year is greater then 4 years old, then charge Dealer Smog and State Smog.

• The Smog Abatement Fee is tied to the registration of the vehicle.
• If the vehicle is less then 6 model years old AND registration is due, then the $20.00 Smog Abatement Fee must be included in the deal.  
• Note:  Any deal with a vehicle model year 5 or 6 years old AND with tags due, will include both the Smog Abatement Fee and State and Dealer Smog.
• Any deal on a used vehicle must include the Title Transfer Fee, and may or may not include registration fees depending on whether or not tags are due.
  • Any deal on a used vehicle with a tag expiration date greater then 75 days in the future will include a $15.00 title transfer fee rather then the Registration Renewal Fee.  
  • Any deal on a used vehicle in which the tags are already expired, or will expire within 75 days will be charged both the $15.00 Title Transfer Fee as well as registration fees.

California Smog Fees Defined

The Smog Waiver Fee (a.k.a. Smog Transfer Fee)

$8.00 fee charged upon transfer of title if vehicle model year is 4 or less years old.  If this fee is not charged then Dealer Smog and State Smog must be charged.

Smog Abatement Fee

The Smog Abatement Fee is the annual $20.00 fee that must be paid upon registration renewal in lieu of the bi-annual smog inspection.  This fee is included on deals with vehicle model years 6 or less model years old.   If a vehicle being sold has a tag expiration date greater then 75 days in the future, then the seller may opt for a title transfer fee rather then a registration renewal.  In this case, since registration is not being renewed, there is no Smog Abatement fee.

State and Dealer Smog Fees:

State and Dealer Smog Fees are always charged together.  As of 2008 the state smog fee is $8.25 and the dealer smog fee can be up to $50.00.  These two fees must be charged on the sale of any vehicle with a model year older then 4 years old.  (For 2008 this applies to the 2004 model year and older).