Vehicle dealers: document processing charge.
- Increases the maximum document processing fee that car dealers can charge to up to $500 or 1% of vehicle price.
- Maintains existing fee caps of $85 for DMV partner dealers and $70 for other dealers as minimum thresholds.
- Requires document processing charges to be clearly disclosed as dealer fees rather than government fees.
- Restricts electronic filing charges to actual costs charged by authorized service providers.
Senator Cortese's vehicle dealer legislation modifies California's document processing fee structure, allowing dealers to charge up to 1% of a vehicle's base price or $500, whichever is less, for document preparation and processing services. The measure adjusts existing limits that cap these fees at $85 for dealers partnered with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and $70 for non-partnered dealers.
The bill maintains current provisions requiring dealers to separate document processing charges from government fees while introducing new calculation methods. Under the proposed framework, the maximum charge would be based on the vehicle's price before adding government fees, accessories, or additional services. The legislation preserves existing rules governing electronic filing charges, which must reflect actual costs charged by service providers for registration and licensing services.
These modifications establish a sliding scale for document processing fees that varies with vehicle price while setting an absolute ceiling. The bill retains DMV oversight of electronic filing charges through regulatory authority, allowing the department to establish maximum amounts that service providers may charge dealers for electronic registration services.
 Anna CaballeroD Senator | Committee Member |  Not Contacted | |
 Tony StricklandR Senator | Bill Author | Not Contacted | |
 Phillip ChenR Assembly Member | Bill Author | Not Contacted | |
 Heath FloraR Assembly Member | Bill Author | Not Contacted | |
 Tim GraysonD Senator | Committee Member | Not Contacted |
Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.
Introduced By
Latest Voting History
| Ayes | Noes | NVR | Total | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | 1 | 2 | 15 | PASS |
- Increases the maximum document processing fee that car dealers can charge to up to $500 or 1% of vehicle price.
- Maintains existing fee caps of $85 for DMV partner dealers and $70 for other dealers as minimum thresholds.
- Requires document processing charges to be clearly disclosed as dealer fees rather than government fees.
- Restricts electronic filing charges to actual costs charged by authorized service providers.
Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.
Introduced By
Senator Cortese's vehicle dealer legislation modifies California's document processing fee structure, allowing dealers to charge up to 1% of a vehicle's base price or $500, whichever is less, for document preparation and processing services. The measure adjusts existing limits that cap these fees at $85 for dealers partnered with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and $70 for non-partnered dealers.
The bill maintains current provisions requiring dealers to separate document processing charges from government fees while introducing new calculation methods. Under the proposed framework, the maximum charge would be based on the vehicle's price before adding government fees, accessories, or additional services. The legislation preserves existing rules governing electronic filing charges, which must reflect actual costs charged by service providers for registration and licensing services.
These modifications establish a sliding scale for document processing fees that varies with vehicle price while setting an absolute ceiling. The bill retains DMV oversight of electronic filing charges through regulatory authority, allowing the department to establish maximum amounts that service providers may charge dealers for electronic registration services.
Latest Voting History
| Ayes | Noes | NVR | Total | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | 1 | 2 | 15 | PASS |
Anna CaballeroD Senator | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
Tony StricklandR Senator | Bill Author | Not Contacted | |
Phillip ChenR Assembly Member | Bill Author | Not Contacted | |
Heath FloraR Assembly Member | Bill Author | Not Contacted | |
Tim GraysonD Senator | Committee Member | Not Contacted |