State of dealer fees 2026
Dealer fees in California: 2026
#51 of 51 for average doc fee
5.5 vehicle-loan complaints per 100k residents in 2025#18 of 51 · 2,175 complaints · CFPB
Capped by law. Capped at $85 ($70 for dealers outside the DMV e-registration program). A raise to $260 was vetoed in October 2025 (CalMatters). Veh. Code 4456.5
- RulesThe only state that caps dealer rate markup (2.5% of the amount on loans of 60 months or less, 2% on longer). The CARS Act took effect Oct 1, 2026: add-ons with no benefit are banned and used-car buyers get a 3-day cancellation right.Source: CA DMV · CARS Act summary
- Buyers say$2,800 of add-ons tied to an EV lease discount; $4,000 to $5,000 paint protection in Huntington Beach.Source: Leasehackr · 4Runner6G
- MarkupsRAV4 hybrids listed $3,999 to $12,995 over sticker in the Bay Area (2026).Source: Carscoops, Jan 2026 · Carscoops, May 2026
Compare nearby and high-fee states
Highest average doc fees
- Florida $912
- Virginia $828
- District of Columbia $800
- Georgia $761
- Maryland $755
Before you sign
Average and median fees come from CarEdge and Edmunds; complaint figures from the CFPB. “Hot spot” is DrivrShield’s composite, not an official ranking, and “above cap” is a lead, not proof of wrongdoing. Full sources are on the map page. Data as of 2026-09-22.
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