How the California DMV License Fees are Calculated (Including Smog Fees). (Effective Jan. 1, 2009)
New Vehicle
(Price of the Vehicle rounded to the nearest odd one hundred dollars
amount) multiplied by the (DMV Multiplier (1.15% as of May
19, 2009), (.65% prior to May 19, 2009))
+ 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 $56.00 for all of
California). This includes the Registration Fee of $34 and the CHP Fee
of $22.)
+ $1.00 Reflective License Plate Amount
+ $20.00 Smog Abatement - If the vehicle is Gas Driven
= California DMV License Fee
Used Vehicle - If Tags Are Due
(Price of the Vehicle
rounded to the nearest odd one hundred dollars
amount) multiplied by the (DMV Multiplier (1.15% as of May
19, 2009),
(.65% prior to May 19, 2009))
+ 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 $56.00 for all of
California). This includes the Registration Fee of $34 and the CHP Fee
of $22.)
+ $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.
Used Vehicle - If Tags Are NOT Due
$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?
Accessed 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.

- DMV Add On Amount is a flat fee which
varies from
county to county. Here's the current chart for 2009. You can download a
table with these values for your system here.
- 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!
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 2009 this includes the 2004,
2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009 model years.) This fee off-sets the
cost of not having to smog your vehicle for the first four years.
- 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 2009 this includes model years 2006, 2007, 2008, and
2009. Neither the $50.00 dealer smog fee nor the $8.25 state
smog fee may be charged on the sale of these vehicles.
- CA Base DMV Fee has 2 parts totaling
$56.00
- $34.00 for the CA Base DMV Fee
- $22.00 for the new California CHP fee.
- Smog Abatement Fee is the fee charged on
vehicles with a
model year equal to or less then six years ago. (If the model year is
2009
then 2004-2009 model years are charged this fee.) This fee off-sets the
cost of not having to smog your vehicle for the first 6 years.
- CA DMV Multiplier is 1.15 as of May 19,
2009. This represents
1.15% or .015. (prior to May 19, 2009 this value should be
.65%)
- 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 1/1/2009)
When the DMV counts model years it is inclusive. In other
words for
calendar year 2009 when DMV says a vehicle 6 model years old or newer,
they mean 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009. When DMV says a
vehicle 4 model years old or newer, for model year 2009 they mean 2006,
2007, 2008, 2009.
- 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 TransferFee)
$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
2009 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 2009 this applies to the 2005
model year and older).
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