Dealer doc fees by state
By Mr. Voltage · Data checked Oct 14, 2026 · Page changed Oct 30, 2026
Where will you register the car?
Harris County, Texas
Example quotes. Pick your place and type yours. Example: three quotes on one car in Harris County, Texas. Pick your own place and type your quotes.
Your deals at a glance
| Deal | Payment | All-in |
|---|---|---|
| $581.67a month | $39,900.30+$760.58 more than Deal C | |
| $525.30a month | $42,821.70+$3,681.98 more than Deal C | |
| $569.00a month | $39,139.72Lowest |
Estimate. Your dealer’s buyer’s order and your lender’s disclosures are the numbers that count. Check them against this.
Your numbers stay in this browser.
$581.67 a month · 60 payments
All-in $39,900.30
$525.30 a month · 72 payments
All-in $42,821.70
$569.00 a month · 60 payments
All-in $39,139.72Lowest
Out-the-door $35,159.75
Estimate. Your dealer’s buyer’s order and your lender’s disclosures are the numbers that count. Check them against this.
Out-the-door $35,898.19
Estimate. Your dealer’s buyer’s order and your lender’s disclosures are the numbers that count. Check them against this.
Out-the-door $35,650.38
Estimate. Your dealer’s buyer’s order and your lender’s disclosures are the numbers that count. Check them against this.
New · 2026 · Gas · change
New or used
The sheet starts with a new car; each deal sets its own
Model year
A new car is the current or next model year
Fuel
Gas car. Electric and hybrid cars pay more in some states
Doc fee stated on its own line
Buyer’s orders list the doc fee on its own line, which is what keeps it untaxed in Texas
New · 2026 · Gas · change
New or used
The sheet starts with a new car; each deal sets its own
Model year
A new car is the current or next model year
Fuel
Gas car. Electric and hybrid cars pay more in some states
Doc fee stated on its own line
Buyer’s orders list the doc fee on its own line, which is what keeps it untaxed in Texas
New · 2026 · Gas · change
New or used
The sheet starts with a new car; each deal sets its own
Model year
A new car is the current or next model year
Fuel
Gas car. Electric and hybrid cars pay more in some states
Doc fee stated on its own line
Buyer’s orders list the doc fee on its own line, which is what keeps it untaxed in Texas
$225.00: what Texas presumes reasonable.
Texas calls it a documentary fee.
It must be the same whether you pay cash or finance.
law.cornell.edu · checked Oct 2, 2026
The notice Texas requires with this fee
A DOCUMENTARY FEE IS NOT AN OFFICIAL FEE. A DOCUMENTARY FEE IS NOT REQUIRED BY LAW, BUT MAY BE CHARGED TO BUYERS FOR HANDLING DOCUMENTS RELATING TO THE SALE. A DOCUMENTARY FEE MAY NOT EXCEED A REASONABLE AMOUNT AGREED TO BY THE PARTIES. THIS NOTICE IS REQUIRED BY LAW.
$225.00: what Texas presumes reasonable.
Texas calls it a documentary fee.
It must be the same whether you pay cash or finance.
law.cornell.edu · checked Oct 2, 2026
The notice Texas requires with this fee
A DOCUMENTARY FEE IS NOT AN OFFICIAL FEE. A DOCUMENTARY FEE IS NOT REQUIRED BY LAW, BUT MAY BE CHARGED TO BUYERS FOR HANDLING DOCUMENTS RELATING TO THE SALE. A DOCUMENTARY FEE MAY NOT EXCEED A REASONABLE AMOUNT AGREED TO BY THE PARTIES. THIS NOTICE IS REQUIRED BY LAW.
$225.00: what Texas presumes reasonable.
Texas calls it a documentary fee.
It must be the same whether you pay cash or finance.
law.cornell.edu · checked Oct 2, 2026
The notice Texas requires with this fee
A DOCUMENTARY FEE IS NOT AN OFFICIAL FEE. A DOCUMENTARY FEE IS NOT REQUIRED BY LAW, BUT MAY BE CHARGED TO BUYERS FOR HANDLING DOCUMENTS RELATING TO THE SALE. A DOCUMENTARY FEE MAY NOT EXCEED A REASONABLE AMOUNT AGREED TO BY THE PARTIES. THIS NOTICE IS REQUIRED BY LAW.
Your $5,000.00 down covers the $2,459.75 in tax, title, license and the doc fee first; $2,540.25 goes toward the price.
Your $5,000.00 down covers the $2,503.19 in tax, title, license and the doc fee first; $2,496.81 goes toward the price.
Your $5,000.00 down covers the $2,400.38 in tax, title, license and the doc fee first; $2,599.62 goes toward the price.
Illustrative rate, not a quote. Your APR depends on your credit, the term, the vehicle and the lender.
Illustrative rate, not a quote. Your APR depends on your credit, the term, the vehicle and the lender.
Illustrative rate, not a quote. Your APR depends on your credit, the term, the vehicle and the lender.
60 payments, last $581.77
72 payments, last $525.40
60 payments, last $568.72
cash down plus every payment
+$760.58 more all-in than Deal C
cash down plus every payment
+$3,681.98 more all-in than Deal C
cash down plus every payment
Estimate. Your dealer’s buyer’s order and your lender’s disclosures are the numbers that count. Check them against this.
Estimate. Your dealer’s buyer’s order and your lender’s disclosures are the numbers that count. Check them against this.
Estimate. Your dealer’s buyer’s order and your lender’s disclosures are the numbers that count. Check them against this.
3 charges this total leaves out
3 charges this total leaves out
3 charges this total leaves out
Dealer doc fees in every state and DC
One row for each state and DC: what the law says about the dealer doc fee, in the law’s own words where a source quotes them, and the amount the law sets, if it sets one. A cap, a presumption and a formula are different rules, and each row says which one it is. The last column names the state agency that takes a complaint about a doc fee, with its mailing address.
Every entry shows where it comes from and the day it was checked, and the newest check on this page was Oct 14, 2026. 26 of the 204 entries rest on a source that is not confirmed yet, and each says so.
| State | What the law says | Amount | Where to complain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | No amount set in law The law’s term: dealer documentary fee Our research found: no statute or rule found that sets, caps or requires disclosure of a dealer documentary fee Unverified alison.legislature.state.al.us · checked Oct 3, 2026 Paying it: the law is silent No Alabama statute or rule was found that sets, limits or makes optional a dealer’s doc fee. Unverified alison.legislature.state.al.us · checked Oct 3, 2026 | No amount in law alison.legislature.state.al.us · checked Oct 3, 2026 | Office of the Alabama Attorney General, Consumer Interest Division 501 Washington Avenue, Montgomery, AL 36104 alabamaag.gov · checked Oct 14, 2026 |
| Alaska | No amount set in law The law’s term: dealer document preparation fee The law’s words: akleg.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 Paying it: the law is silent The law doesn’t say whether a buyer may decline the fee; it says the dealer may not present it as a government fee and must include it in any advertised price. akleg.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | No amount in law akleg.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | Alaska Department of Law, Consumer Protection Unit 1031 West 4th Avenue, Suite 200, Anchorage, AK 99501-1994 law.alaska.gov · checked Oct 14, 2026 |
| Arizona | No amount set in law The law’s term: document fee The law’s words: Unverified azleg.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 Paying it: the law is silent The law doesn’t say whether a buyer may decline the fee; it requires dealer ads to say clearly that a document fee will be charged. Unverified azleg.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | No amount in law Unverified azleg.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | Arizona Attorney General's Office, Consumer Information and Complaints 2005 N Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85004 azag.gov · checked Oct 14, 2026 |
| Arkansas | Cap The law’s term: service and handling fee The law’s words: law.justia.com · checked Oct 2, 2026 Paying it: charged to every buyer alike If a dealer charges the fee it must charge it to all retail customers, with a few exceptions, and must show a notice that the fee is not an official fee and is not required by law. law.justia.com · checked Oct 2, 2026 | $129 cap $129; charged to all retail customers; separate line law.justia.com · checked Oct 2, 2026 | Arkansas Motor Vehicle Commission 900 West Capitol, Suite 400, Little Rock, AR 72201 labor.arkansas.gov · checked Oct 14, 2026 |
| California | Cap The law’s term: document processing charge The law’s words: dmv.ca.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 Paying it: a notice is required The contract must state that the document processing charge is not a government fee, and the dealer may not present it as one. Unverified codes.findlaw.com · checked Oct 2, 2026 | $70 cap: 85 if DMV private industry partner (VC 1685), else 70; not a government fee dmv.ca.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 | California Department of Motor Vehicles, Investigations Division The DMV Investigations district office nearest where the sale took place, listed on form INV 172 A dmv.ca.gov · checked Oct 14, 2026 |
| Colorado | No amount set in law The law’s term: documentation fee The law’s words: sos.state.co.us · checked Oct 3, 2026 Paying it: the law is silent The law doesn’t say whether a buyer may decline the fee; it must be included in any advertised price. sos.state.co.us · checked Oct 3, 2026 | No amount in law sos.state.co.us · checked Oct 3, 2026 | Colorado Department of Revenue, Auto Industry Division P.O. Box 17087, Denver, CO 80217-0087 sbg.colorado.gov · checked Oct 14, 2026 |
| Connecticut | No amount set in law The law’s term: dealer conveyance fee The law’s words: cga.ct.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 Paying it: a notice is required The dealer must give you a written statement and post a sign saying the fee is negotiable and not payable to the state, and that you may file the registration paperwork yourself. cga.ct.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | No amount in law cga.ct.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles, Consumer Complaint Center 60 State Street, Wethersfield, CT 06161 portal.ct.gov · checked Oct 14, 2026 |
| Delaware | No amount set in law The law’s term: administrative, origination, documentary, procurement, or other similar administrative fee The law’s words: delcode.delaware.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 Paying it: the law is silent No Delaware law says whether a buyer must pay the doc fee; the law requires each fee the dealer collects to be listed and identified on the bill of sale. delcode.delaware.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | No amount in law delcode.delaware.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles, Compliance & Investigations Unit PO Box 698, Dover, DE 19903 services.dmv.de.gov · checked Oct 14, 2026 |
| Florida | No amount set in law The law’s term: predelivery service charge The law’s words: flsenate.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 Paying it: a notice is required The law requires every document showing the fee to say it represents costs and profit to the dealer, and the fee must be included in any advertised price. flsenate.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 | No amount in law Unverified flsenate.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 | Office of the Attorney General of Florida, Consumer Protection PL-01, The Capitol, Tallahassee, FL 32399-1050 Unverified myfloridalegal.com · checked Oct 14, 2026 |
| Georgia | No amount set in law The law’s term: dealer fee The law’s words: consumer.georgia.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 Paying it: the law is silent No Georgia law says whether a buyer must pay the doc fee; the state’s consumer office requires it to be included in any advertised price. consumer.georgia.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 | No amount in law consumer.georgia.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 | Georgia Department of Law, Consumer Protection Division 40 Capitol Square, SW, Atlanta, GA 30334 consumer.georgia.gov · checked Oct 14, 2026 |
| Hawaii | No amount set in law The law’s term: documentary fee The law’s words: cca.hawaii.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 Paying it: the law is silent No Hawaii law says whether a buyer must pay the doc fee; ads that quote a price must show the doc fee and its exact amount. cca.hawaii.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | No amount in law cca.hawaii.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Regulated Industries Complaints Office (RICO) 235 South Beretania Street, 9th Floor, Honolulu, HI 96813 cca.hawaii.gov · checked Oct 14, 2026 |
| Idaho | No amount set in law The law’s term: dealer document preparation fee The law’s words: files.dfm.idaho.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 Paying it: a notice is required The rule requires the doc fee to be listed separately and identified to the buyer as a dealer document preparation fee that is subject to sales tax. files.dfm.idaho.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | No amount in law files.dfm.idaho.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | Idaho Transportation Department, Division of Motor Vehicles, Dealer Operations PO Box 7129, Boise, ID 83707-1129 itd.idaho.gov · checked Oct 14, 2026 |
| Illinois | Cap The law’s term: documentary fee The law’s words: ilga.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 Paying it: a notice is required The law requires a notice with the contract saying the doc fee is not an official fee and is not required by law, but may be charged. ilga.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 | $377.63 Unverified ilga.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 | Illinois Attorney General, Consumer Fraud Bureau 500 South Second St., Springfield, IL 62701 illinoisattorneygeneral.gov · checked Oct 14, 2026 |
| Indiana | Enforcement threshold The law’s term: document preparation fee The law’s words: One detail unverified in.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 Paying it: the law is silent The law doesn’t say whether a buyer may decline the doc fee; it says the fee must be in the advertised price and shown in writing with its dollar amount. One detail unverified codes.findlaw.com · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $261.72 in.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | Indiana Secretary of State, Auto Dealer Services Division 302 W. Washington St., Room E-111, Indianapolis, IN 46204 in.gov · checked Oct 14, 2026 |
| Iowa | Cap The law’s term: documentary fee The law’s words: legis.iowa.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 Paying it: a notice is required The law requires a notice in the purchase agreement saying the doc fee is not an official fee and is not required by law, but may be charged. legis.iowa.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $180 legis.iowa.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | Office of the Attorney General of Iowa, Consumer Protection Division Hoover State Office Building, 1305 E. Walnut Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50319-0106 iowaattorneygeneral.gov · checked Oct 14, 2026 |
| Kansas | No amount set in law The law’s term: documentation or administrative fee Our research found: no Kansas statute or regulation limits a dealer documentation/administrative fee Unverified ksrevenue.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 Paying it: the law is silent No state law or rule was found that sets the doc fee or says whether a buyer must pay it. Unverified ksrevenue.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | No amount in law ksrevenue.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | Kansas Department of Revenue, Division of Vehicles, Vehicle Dealer Licensing Bureau P.O. Box 2369, Topeka, KS 66601-2369 kdor.ks.gov · checked Oct 14, 2026 |
| Kentucky | No amount set in law The law’s term: processing fee The law’s words: apps.legislature.ky.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 Paying it: the law is silent No state law or rule was found that says whether a buyer must pay a doc fee. Unverified apps.legislature.ky.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | No amount in law apps.legislature.ky.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | Kentucky Motor Vehicle Commission 200 Mero Street, 3rd Floor West, Frankfort, KY 40622 transportation.ky.gov · checked Oct 14, 2026 |
| Louisiana | Cap The law’s term: documentary fee The law’s words: One detail unverified legis.la.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 Paying it: a notice is required The law requires the bill of sale or contract to say the fee is authorized by state law and is not a mandatory state fee. legis.la.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $436 $436 for calendar year 2026 legis.la.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | Louisiana Motor Vehicle Commission 3017 Kingman Street, Metairie, Louisiana 70006 lmvc.la.gov · checked Oct 14, 2026 |
| Maine | No amount set in law The law’s term: fees charged for document processing The law’s words: legislature.maine.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 Paying it: the law is silent The law requires the fee to be disclosed before the sale and clearly posted on the car; it does not say whether a buyer may decline it. legislature.maine.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | No amount in law legislature.maine.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles, Enforcement Services Division 29 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0029 maine.gov · checked Oct 14, 2026 |
| Maryland | Cap The law’s term: dealer processing charge Our research found: May not exceed: … $800 on and after July 1, 2024 mgaleg.maryland.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 Paying it: a notice is required The law requires the contract to show the charge as “Dealer processing charge (not required by law)” with its amount. mgaleg.maryland.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $800 $800 maximum (2026) mgaleg.maryland.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration, Office of Investigations and Internal Affairs 6601 Ritchie Highway N.E., Glen Burnie, MD 21062 mva.maryland.gov · checked Oct 14, 2026 |
| Massachusetts | No amount set in law The law’s term: documentary preparation charge The law’s words: Unverified mass.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 Paying it: the law is silent No rule says a buyer may decline the doc fee; the Attorney General says any doc fee a dealer charges must be included in every advertised price. mass.gov · checked Oct 14, 2026 | No amount in law mass.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | Office of the Attorney General, Consumer Advocacy & Response Division One Ashburton Place, 18th Floor, Boston, MA 02108 mass.gov · checked Oct 14, 2026 |
| Michigan | Lesser of an amount and a percentage The law’s term: documentary preparation fee The law’s words: legislature.mi.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 Paying it: the law is silent The law sets a maximum for dealer-financed deals and the state says the fee may not be described as required by Michigan; it does not say whether a buyer may decline it. michigan.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $280 $280.00 (lesser of $280 or 5% of the vehicle's cash price) legislature.mi.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS), Office of Consumer Services DIFS, PO Box 30220, Lansing, MI 48909-7720 michigan.gov · checked Oct 14, 2026 |
| Minnesota | Lesser of an amount and a percentage The law’s term: documentary fee or document administration fee The law’s words: revisor.mn.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 Paying it: the law is silent The law sets a maximum and requires the fee to be listed separately on the sales agreement; it does not say whether a buyer may decline it. revisor.mn.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $350 lesser of $350 or 10% of the value of the sale (since 2025-07-01); $350 in all five dealer cases revisor.mn.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Driver and Vehicle Services Division, Dealer Unit 445 Minnesota Street, Suite 191, St. Paul, MN 55101 ag.state.mn.us · checked Oct 14, 2026 |
| Mississippi | Cap The law’s term: document/service fee The law’s words: mmvc.ms.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 Paying it: charged to every buyer alike The rule lets franchised dealers charge the fee but requires the same fee for every buyer, cash or credit, with a notice that it is not an official fee and is not required by law. mmvc.ms.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $425 cap: must "not exceed $425.00" (MMVC-licensed franchised dealers); must be reasonable, itemized, and the same for cash and credit mmvc.ms.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | Mississippi Motor Vehicle Commission (new-car dealers) 1755 Lelia Drive, Suite 200, Jackson, MS 39216 mmvc.ms.gov · checked Oct 14, 2026 |
| Missouri | Cap The law’s term: administrative fee The law’s words: revisor.mo.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 Paying it: charged to every buyer alike The law lets dealers charge the fee but requires the same fee for all retail customers, and the buyer’s order must say it is not an official fee and is not required by law. revisor.mo.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 | $620.79 revisor.mo.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 | Missouri Department of Revenue, Motor Vehicle Bureau P.O. Box 43, Jefferson City, MO 65105-0043 dor.mo.gov · checked Oct 14, 2026 |
| Montana | No amount set in law The law’s term: documentary fee Our research found: Montana has no doc-fee statute or rule Unverified mca.legmt.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 Paying it: the law is silent The state has no law on doc fees, so nothing says whether a buyer must pay one or may decline it. Unverified mca.legmt.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | No amount in law mca.legmt.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | Montana Motor Vehicle Division, Vehicle Services Bureau PO Box 201431, Helena, MT 59620-1431 mvdmt.gov · checked Oct 14, 2026 |
| Nebraska | No amount set in law The law’s term: documentation fee Our research found: no statute or rule sets or caps a dealer documentation fee nebraskalegislature.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 Paying it: the law is silent No state law or rule sets or limits a doc fee or says whether the buyer must pay it. nebraskalegislature.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | No amount in law Unverified nebraskalegislature.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | Nebraska Motor Vehicle Industry Licensing Board 301 Centennial Mall S., P.O. Box 94697, Lincoln, NE 68509-4697 mvilb.nebraska.gov · checked Oct 14, 2026 |
| Nevada | No amount set in law The law’s term: charges for the preparation of documents Our research found: The price may exclude charges for the preparation of documents related to the sale of the vehicle imposed by the dealer, taxes and fees for licenses leg.state.nv.us · checked Oct 3, 2026 Paying it: the law is silent No state law or rule says whether a buyer may decline the doc fee; the law lets the fee be any amount the buyer and dealer agree on. leg.state.nv.us · checked Oct 3, 2026 | No amount in law leg.state.nv.us · checked Oct 3, 2026 | Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles, Compliance Enforcement Division 555 Wright Way, Carson City, NV 89711 dmv.nv.gov · checked Oct 14, 2026 |
| New Hampshire | No amount set in law The law’s term: documentary fee Our research found: no doc-fee statute or rule found Unverified gc.nh.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 Paying it: the law is silent No state law or rule deals with doc fees, beyond the general ban on unfair or deceptive practices. Unverified gc.nh.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | No amount in law gc.nh.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | New Hampshire Department of Justice, Consumer Protection and Antitrust Bureau 1 Granite Place South, Concord, NH 03301 doj.nh.gov · checked Oct 14, 2026 |
| New Jersey | No amount set in law The law’s term: documentary service fee The law’s words: law.cornell.edu · checked Oct 3, 2026 Paying it: a notice is required The rule requires the dealer to list each documentary service and its price in writing on the sale document, and bars the dealer from saying a government agency requires the service; it does not say the buyer may decline the fee. law.cornell.edu · checked Oct 3, 2026 | No amount in law law.cornell.edu · checked Oct 3, 2026 | New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, Office of Consumer Protection 124 Halsey Street, Newark, NJ 07101 njconsumeraffairs.gov · checked Oct 14, 2026 |
| New Mexico | No amount set in law The law’s term: dealer transfer service fee The law’s words: srca.nm.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 Paying it: optional The rule says a buyer who pays without a loan must be told in writing that they may register the car themselves without paying the dealer’s transfer service fee; it says nothing like this for buyers who finance. srca.nm.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | No amount in law srca.nm.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | New Mexico Department of Justice 408 Galisteo Street, Villagra Building, Santa Fe, NM 87501 nmdoj.gov · checked Oct 14, 2026 |
| New York | Cap The law’s term: dealer registration or title application processing fee The law’s words: dmv.ny.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 Paying it: optional The invoice must call the fee the dealer’s optional fee and say it isn’t a DMV fee; unless a lien is being recorded or the dealer issued plates, you may file your own title and registration papers instead. dmv.ny.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $175 $175.00 maximum dmv.ny.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | New York State DMV, Bureau of Consumer & Facility Services, Complaint Unit P.O. Box 2700-ESP, Albany, NY 12220-0700 dmv.ny.gov · checked Oct 14, 2026 |
| North Carolina | No amount set in law The law’s term: administrative, origination, documentary, procurement, or other similar administrative fee Our research found: shall not charge an administrative, origination, documentary, procurement, or other similar administrative fee … unless the dealer complies with all of the following ncleg.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 Paying it: a notice is required The law requires a posted sign in the dealership giving the fee’s amount, the fee in price ads, and the fee on its own line on the buyer’s order; it lets the dealer choose not to charge it or to lower it in some cases. ncleg.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 | No amount in law ncleg.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 | North Carolina State Highway Patrol, Investigative Services Unit 4231 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-4231 ncshp.gov · checked Oct 14, 2026 |
| North Dakota | No amount set in law The law’s term: documentary fee Our research found: no doc-fee statute found ndlegis.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 Paying it: the law is silent No state law or rule says whether the buyer must pay a doc fee. ndlegis.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | No amount in law ndlegis.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | North Dakota Office of Attorney General, Consumer Protection Division 1720 Burlington Drive Ste C, Bismarck, ND 58504-7736 attorneygeneral.nd.gov · checked Oct 14, 2026 |
| Ohio | Lesser of an amount and a percentage The law’s term: documentary service charge Our research found: not more than the lesser of codes.ohio.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 Paying it: the law is silent State law lets a dealer charge a doc fee, in writing and up to a set limit, but doesn’t say whether a buyer may decline it. codes.ohio.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 | $398 codes.ohio.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 | Ohio Attorney General, Consumer Protection Section 30 E. Broad St., 14th floor, Columbus, OH 43215-3400 ohioattorneygeneral.gov · checked Oct 14, 2026 |
| Oklahoma | No amount set in law The law’s term: dealer-added fee The law’s words: oklahoma.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 Paying it: charged to every buyer alike The used-car commission says a processing fee, if charged, must be charged on every sale, cash or financed, and be the same for every vehicle; new-car rules bar presenting the fee as required by law. oklahoma.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | No amount in law oklahoma.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | Oklahoma New Motor Vehicle Commission (new-car dealers) 4334 NW Expressway, Suite 183, Oklahoma City, OK 73116-1515 oklahoma.gov · checked Oct 14, 2026 |
| Oregon | Cap The law’s term: document processing fee The law’s words: oregonlegislature.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 Paying it: the amount may be negotiated The law doesn’t say a buyer may decline the fee, but it lets the buyer negotiate the amount, apart from the dealer’s fixed integrator share. oregonlegislature.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $250 $250 if the dealer uses an integrator; $200 if not oregonlegislature.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | Oregon DMV Business Regulation 1905 Lana Ave NE, Salem, OR 97314 oregon.gov · checked Oct 14, 2026 |
| Pennsylvania | Cap The law’s term: documentary preparation fee The law’s words: pa.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 Paying it: a notice is required The state board says the fee is a dealer-imposed charge, not a state-mandated fee, is negotiable so its amount can’t be pre-printed on the buyer’s order, and must be disclosed on a sign in the dealership. pa.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $490 $490 electronic / $409 non-electronic (calendar year 2026) pa.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | State Board of Vehicle Manufacturers, Dealers, and Salespersons P.O. Box 2649, Harrisburg, PA 17105-2649 pa.gov · checked Oct 14, 2026 |
| Rhode Island | Cap The law’s term: documentary preparation fee The law’s words: rules.sos.ri.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 Paying it: the law is silent The rule lets a licensed dealer charge the fee on sales over $10,000, up to a set amount, and requires it be listed on the invoice; it says nothing about whether you may decline it. rules.sos.ri.gov · checked Oct 14, 2026 | $400 cap: $400, and only on transactions over $10,000 rules.sos.ri.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles, Dealers’ License and Regulations Office 600 New London Avenue, Cranston, RI 02920-3024 dmv.ri.gov · checked Oct 14, 2026 |
| South Carolina | Deemed approved The law’s term: closing fee The law’s words: scstatehouse.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 Paying it: the law is silent The law requires the closing fee to be shown on the contract, posted in the dealership and shown in ads for a specific car; it says nothing about whether you may decline it. scstatehouse.gov · checked Oct 14, 2026 | $225 $225 (no-review amount); a dealer's actual maximum is whatever DCA has on file for it scstatehouse.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs PO Box 5757, Columbia, SC 29250 consumer.sc.gov · checked Oct 14, 2026 |
| South Dakota | No amount set in law The law’s term: documentary fee or document administration fee The law’s words: sdlegislature.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 Paying it: the law is silent The law lets the fee be part of the cash price on a financed sale if it is for services actually done, and lets dealers leave it out of advertised prices; it says nothing about whether you may decline it. sdlegislature.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | No amount in law sdlegislature.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | South Dakota Office of Attorney General, Division of Consumer Protection 1302 E Hwy 1889 Ste 3, Pierre SD, 57501 consumer.sd.gov · checked Oct 14, 2026 |
| Tennessee | No amount set in law The law’s term: document preparation fee, processing fee or servicing fee The law’s words: codes.findlaw.com · checked Oct 2, 2026 Paying it: the law is silent The law lets dealers charge the fee on top of the price if it is listed separately on the contract before you sign, and the dealer may not say it’s a government fee; it says nothing about whether you may decline it. codes.findlaw.com · checked Oct 2, 2026 | No amount in law codes.findlaw.com · checked Oct 2, 2026 | Tennessee Motor Vehicle Commission (Department of Commerce and Insurance) 500 James Robertson Pkwy, Nashville, TN 37243-0565 tn.gov · checked Oct 14, 2026 |
| Texas | Presumed reasonable The law’s term: documentary fee The law’s words: law.cornell.edu · checked Oct 2, 2026 Paying it: a notice is required The law requires a notice on the buyer’s order and contract, and posted where sales are closed, saying the fee is not an official fee and is not required by law; the dealer must charge it to cash and credit buyers alike. statutes.capitol.texas.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 | $225 law.cornell.edu · checked Oct 2, 2026 | Texas Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner (OCCC) 2601 North Lamar Boulevard, Austin TX 78705 occc.texas.gov · checked Oct 14, 2026 |
| Utah | No amount set in law The law’s term: dealer documentary service fee The law’s words: le.utah.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 Paying it: a notice is required The law lets the dealer charge the fee on top of the negotiated price, and a sign posted in the dealership must say these fees are not set or mandated by statute or rule. le.utah.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | No amount in law le.utah.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | Utah State Tax Commission, Motor Vehicle Enforcement Division (MVED) 210 North 1950 West, Salt Lake City, Utah 84134 dmv.utah.gov · checked Oct 14, 2026 |
| Vermont | No amount set in law The law’s term: documentation fee Our research found: no statute found Unverified dmv.vermont.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 Paying it: the law is silent No state law or rule was found on whether a buyer must pay the doc fee; the Attorney General’s rule only says it must be included in the advertised price. Unverified dmv.vermont.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | No amount in law dmv.vermont.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | Office of the Vermont Attorney General, Consumer Assistance Program 109 State Street, Montpelier, VT 05609 ago.vermont.gov · checked Oct 14, 2026 |
| Virginia | No amount set in law The law’s term: processing fee The law’s words: law.lis.virginia.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 Paying it: a notice is required The law requires a dealer that charges a processing fee to post the fee and its amount on a sign in the sales area and list it on the buyer’s order; it doesn’t say whether a buyer may decline it. law.lis.virginia.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 | No amount in law law.lis.virginia.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026 | Virginia Motor Vehicle Dealer Board 2201 West Broad Street, Suite 104, Richmond, VA 23220 mvdb.virginia.gov · checked Oct 14, 2026 |
| Washington | Cap The law’s term: documentary service fee The law’s words: app.leg.wa.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 Paying it: the amount may be negotiated The law requires the dealer to tell you in writing, before you sign, that the documentary service fee is a negotiable fee. app.leg.wa.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $200 cap: 'not to exceed $200 per vehicle sale or lease'; must be called negotiable app.leg.wa.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | Washington State Department of Licensing, Centralized Investigations and Audits Unit PO Box 1098, Olympia, WA 98507-1098 dol.wa.gov · checked Oct 14, 2026 |
| District of Columbia | No amount set in law The law’s term: documentary fee The law’s words: Unverified dlcp.dc.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 Paying it: the law is silent No District law or rule was found on the doc fee itself; dealers must post their prices and tell you them before the sale. Unverified dlcp.dc.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | No amount in law dlcp.dc.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | District of Columbia Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP) 1100 4th Street, SW, Washington, DC 20024 dlcp.dc.gov · checked Oct 14, 2026 |
| West Virginia | Set by an agency The law’s term: documentary charges The law’s words: code.wvlegislature.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 Paying it: charged to every buyer alike The law allows a documentary charge only if it’s applied equally to cash and credit customers and is reasonably related to the benefit to the customer. code.wvlegislature.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $575 Official search 2026-10-03 found no published amount Unverified code.wvlegislature.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles Post Office Box 17020, Charleston, West Virginia 25317-0010 webapps.transportation.wv.gov · checked Oct 14, 2026 |
| Wisconsin | No amount set in law The law’s term: additional service fee The law’s words: docs.legis.wisconsin.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 Paying it: a notice is required The law requires the contract to say the service fee is not required by law but may be charged, and must be reasonable; the fee can’t be raised after it’s disclosed. docs.legis.wisconsin.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | No amount in law docs.legis.wisconsin.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | Wisconsin Department of Transportation, Division of Motor Vehicles, Dealer and Agent Section P.O. Box 7909, Madison, WI 53707-7909 wisconsindot.gov · checked Oct 14, 2026 |
| Wyoming | No amount set in law The law’s term: documentary fee Our research found: no statute or rule on dealer documentary fees wyoleg.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 Paying it: the law is silent No Wyoming statute or rule on dealer doc fees was found, so the law doesn’t say whether a buyer must pay one. wyoleg.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | No amount in law wyoleg.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | Office of the Wyoming Attorney General, Consumer Protection and Antitrust Unit 109 State Capitol, Cheyenne, WY 82002 ag.wyo.gov · checked Oct 14, 2026 |
Dealer prep fees
A dealer prep fee, sometimes called a pre-delivery or PDI charge, is a charge for getting the car ready to hand over: inspecting it, taking off the shipping film, washing it. It is the dealer's own charge, not a government fee, and it is separate from the doc fee: the rules in the table above are about the doc fee alone.
Whether it is taxed depends on the state and on what the fee pays for, and the rules here do not yet name prep fees in every state. If the buyer's order shows tax on it, enter it on the price line; if not, on "Another dealer fee". Take a $32,700.00 car with $5,000.00 down, financed at 5.90% over 60 months (Texas, with the car registered in Harris County), and a $699.00 prep fee. Entered on the price line, it adds $742.69 out the door, $43.69 of it tax, and $859.46 to the total paid once the interest is counted. Entered on "Another dealer fee", it adds $699.00 out the door, with no tax on it, and $808.86 to the total paid once the interest is counted.
The calculator works the tax from each state's own list. In Texas, the list reads: Taxed: the vehicle price, accessories fitted before delivery and protection packages. Not taxed: other dealer fees on the order, loose items sold with the car, service contracts, GAP, prepaid maintenance and government fees. Depends on the deal: the doc fee.
statutes.capitol.texas.gov · checked Oct 2, 2026
Reconditioning fees
On a used car, reconditioning is the work done to get it ready to sell: repairs, tyres, brakes, detailing. Some dealers build that cost into the price; others list it as a fee of its own. Either way it is part of what you pay, so two used cars are compared on their out-the-door totals, not their prices. Enter each as its own deal, with the fee on its own line, and the all-in column puts them on the same footing. Whether it is taxed is the same question as for a prep fee.
Market adjustments
A market adjustment, sometimes written "additional dealer markup" or "ADM", is an amount a dealer adds above the maker's suggested retail price, usually on a car in short supply. It is part of the price, not a fee: on the sheet, add it to the price line, and it is taxed the way the price is. A written out-the-door quote from another dealer for the same car shows whether one is charging it and another is not.
Questions people ask
What is a dealer doc fee?
A charge a dealer adds for preparing the paperwork of a sale. Its name in law differs: Texas’s law calls it a “documentary fee”, California’s law calls it a “document processing charge” and Alaska’s law calls it a “dealer document preparation fee”. In 20 jurisdictions the law speaks to the amount, with a cap, a presumption, a formula or an agency’s figure; in the other 31 it sets no amount, and the table says what the law requires instead, if anything. The calculator above puts the fee on its own line.
Which states cap dealer doc fees?
13 jurisdictions have a cap, a maximum the law states: Arkansas, California, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana (one detail unverified), Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Washington. Other states set an amount a different way, and the word cap would misstate their law. Lesser of an amount and a percentage: Michigan, Minnesota and Ohio. Presumed reasonable: Texas. Deemed approved: South Carolina. Enforcement threshold: Indiana (one detail unverified). Set by an agency: West Virginia. In the other 31 the law sets no amount. Each row of the table quotes the law where a cited row does, and links the source.
Is the doc fee negotiable?
Whether a dealer will change it is between you and the dealer; this page shows what the law says, not what a dealer will agree to. A figure in the table is what the law allows or presumes reasonable; it is not a price the law sets for every sale. The calculator above puts the doc fee on its own line, so you can see what changing it does to the all-in total.
Do I have to pay the doc fee?
It depends on what your state’s law says. Optional: New Mexico and New York. The amount may be negotiated: Oregon and Washington. Charged to every buyer alike: Arkansas, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma and West Virginia. A notice is required: California (unverified), Connecticut, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, Virginia and Wisconsin. The law is silent: Alabama (unverified), Alaska, Arizona (unverified), Colorado, Delaware, the District of Columbia (unverified), Georgia, Hawaii, Indiana (one detail unverified), Kansas (unverified), Kentucky (unverified), Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana (unverified), Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire (unverified), North Dakota, Ohio, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont (unverified) and Wyoming. Whatever the law says, the calculator above shows the fee on its own line, so you can see what it adds to the total. The table gives each state’s rule, with its source and the day it was checked.
Which states have the lowest dealer doc fees?
Among the states whose law sets an amount, the lowest 5 are California, $70; Arkansas, $129; New York, $175; Iowa, $180; Washington, $200. These are the amounts the law sets, which is not the same as what dealers in those states charge. Some states set a second amount under a condition, which the table shows. An amount marked unverified in the table is left out of this list.
Where can I complain about a doc fee?
To the state agency that oversees car dealers or consumer protection where you bought the car. The table’s last column names it for every state and DC, with its mailing address, a link to its own page and the day we checked it. The entry for Florida could not yet be confirmed on the agency’s own page, and the table says so. Keep the buyer’s order and the contract, which list the fee, to send with it.