Dealer Doc Fees by State
Dealer documentation fees by state, verified September 15, 2026. 14 states cap the doc fee by law, from $85 in California up to $800 in Maryland, and Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania cap it by formula. 34 of the 50 states and DC set no cap, where dealers typically charge $226 to $909. The table sorts by fee, and every row links to its statute or state page.
Figures verified September 15, 2026; sources linked per row. Re-checked quarterly, next due December 15, 2026.
| Alabama | No cap (typically $684) | No capCarEdge's report of 93,200 verified quotes (July 2025 to September 2026) puts the average doc fee in Alabama at $684. | See source | caredge.comSecondary, cites the statute | September 15, 2026 |
| Alaska | No cap (typically $250) | No capCarEdge's report of 93,200 verified quotes (July 2025 to September 2026) puts the average doc fee in Alaska at $250. | AS 45.25.440 (advertised price must include dealer fees; no maximum set) | caredge.comSecondary, cites the statute | September 15, 2026 |
| Arizona | No cap (typically $566) | No capCarEdge's report of 93,200 verified quotes (July 2025 to September 2026) puts the average doc fee in Arizona at $566. | See source | caredge.comSecondary, cites the statute | September 15, 2026 |
| Arkansas | $129 cap | Statutory capThe Arkansas Motor Vehicle Commission sets the dealer service and handling fee by rule at not less than $0 and not more than $129; Rule 8 fixes the maximum at $129 and it must be charged uniformly to all retail customers. | Ark. Code Ann. 23-112-317(c)(1) | labor.arkansas.govState source | September 15, 2026 |
| California | $85 cap | Statutory cap$85 for dealers with a DMV private industry partner (electronic filing) contract; $70 for other dealers. SB 791 (2025), which would have allowed up to 1 percent of the vehicle price capped at $260 until 2031, was vetoed by the Governor on Oct 13, 2025 and the veto was sustained on Mar 2, 2026, so the $85/$70 caps remain in force. | Cal. Vehicle Code 4456.5 | leginfo.legislature.ca.govState source | September 15, 2026 |
| Colorado | No cap (typically $606) | No capCarEdge's report of 93,200 verified quotes (July 2025 to September 2026) puts the average doc fee in Colorado at $606. | See source | caredge.comSecondary, cites the statute | September 15, 2026 |
| Connecticut | No cap (typically $716) | No capCarEdge's report of 93,200 verified quotes (July 2025 to September 2026) puts the average doc fee in Connecticut at $716. | CGS 14-62 (dealer conveyance fee must be disclosed and stated to be negotiable; no maximum) | caredge.comSecondary, cites the statute | September 15, 2026 |
| Delaware | No cap (typically $631) | No capCarEdge's report of 93,200 verified quotes (July 2025 to September 2026) puts the average doc fee in Delaware at $631. | See source | caredge.comSecondary, cites the statute | September 15, 2026 |
| District of Columbia | No cap (typically $800) | No capCarEdge's report of 93,200 verified quotes (July 2025 to September 2026) puts the average doc fee in District of Columbia at $800. | See source | caredge.comSecondary, cites the statute | September 15, 2026 |
| Florida | No cap (typically $909) | No capNo statutory maximum. Fla. Stat. 501.976(18) only requires a printed disclosure on every document that carries a predelivery service (dealer fee) line item. CarEdge's report of 93,200 verified quotes (July 2025 to September 2026) puts the average doc fee in Florida at $909. | Fla. Stat. 501.976(18) | caredge.comSecondary, cites the statute | September 15, 2026 |
| Georgia | No cap (typically $766) | No capGeorgia sets no maximum. Dealer fees must be included in the advertised price; only government charges (tax, title, tag, Lemon Law fee) may be excluded from an advertised price. CarEdge's report of 93,200 verified quotes (July 2025 to September 2026) puts the average doc fee in Georgia at $766. | See source | consumered.georgia.govState source | September 15, 2026 |
| Hawaii | No cap (typically $476) | No capNo statutory cap found; the Motor Vehicle Industry Licensing Act (HRS chapter 437) search surfaced no documentary fee limit, and CarEdge lists no cap for Hawaii. CarEdge's report of 93,200 verified quotes (July 2025 to September 2026) puts the average doc fee in Hawaii at $476. | See source | caredge.comSecondary, cites the statute | September 15, 2026 |
| Idaho | No cap (typically $388) | No capNo cap. IDAPA 39.02.03.100.02.c only requires documentation fees to be listed separately and identified as dealer document preparation fees that are subject to sales tax. CarEdge's report of 93,200 verified quotes (July 2025 to September 2026) puts the average doc fee in Idaho at $388. | IDAPA 39.02.03.100.02.c | itd.idaho.govState source | September 15, 2026 |
| Illinois | $378 cap | Statutory capStatutory maximum was $300 as of January 1, 2020 and is adjusted every January by the Consumer Price Index; CarEdge reports the 2026 cap as $378 (rounded). | See source | illinoisattorneygeneral.govState source | September 15, 2026 |
| Indiana | $261.72 cap | Statutory capIC 9-32-13-7(b) cap is indexed to the Consumer Price Index by the Secretary of State's Auto Dealer Services Division each July 1: $261.72 from July 1, 2026 (was $251.05 from July 1, 2025). | IC 9-32-13-7(b) | in.govState source | September 15, 2026 |
| Iowa | $180 cap | Statutory capIowa Code 322.19A(2). The fee must be included in the price of the vehicle, disclosed in any advertised price, and accompanied by a statutory notice in the purchase agreement. | Iowa Code 322.19A | legis.iowa.govState source | September 15, 2026 |
| Kansas | No cap (typically $501) | No capNo statutory cap identified. The Department of Revenue treats dealer 'administrative' fees as taxable but sets no limit on them. CarEdge's report of 93,200 verified quotes (July 2025 to September 2026) puts the average doc fee in Kansas at $501. | See source | caredge.comSecondary, cites the statute | September 15, 2026 |
| Kentucky | No cap (typically $594) | No capCarEdge's report of 93,200 verified quotes (July 2025 to September 2026) puts the average doc fee in Kentucky at $594. | See source | caredge.comSecondary, cites the statute | September 15, 2026 |
| Louisiana | $436 cap | Statutory capR.S. 6:969.18(A)(2) sets a $425 base maximum, adjusted each January 1 from 2026 by CPI-U (capped at 3% a year), verified by the Legislative Auditor and published by the Louisiana Motor Vehicle Commission. The published 2026 maximum is $436. | La. R.S. 6:969.18(A)(2) | lmvc.la.govState source | September 15, 2026 |
| Maine | No cap (typically $535) | No capCarEdge's report of 93,200 verified quotes (July 2025 to September 2026) puts the average doc fee in Maine at $535. | 29-A M.R.S. 953-A (posting requirement only, no cap) | caredge.comSecondary, cites the statute | September 15, 2026 |
| Maryland | $800 cap | Statutory capDealer processing charge cap stepped up from $500 to $800 on July 1, 2024; no indexing clause appears in the statute text fetched. | Md. Code, Transp. 15-311.1(b)(1) | mgaleg.maryland.govState source | September 15, 2026 |
| Massachusetts | No cap (typically $541) | No capCarEdge's report of 93,200 verified quotes (July 2025 to September 2026) puts the average doc fee in Massachusetts at $541. | See source | caredge.comSecondary, cites the statute | September 15, 2026 |
| Michigan | Capped by formula (typically $287) | Formula capMichigan limits the dealer documentary preparation fee to the lesser of $200 or 5% of the price, indexed annually to the consumer price index since 2020 with the current dollar figure published by the Secretary of State. The current indexed figure could not be verified: michigan.gov was blocked, legislature.mi.gov failed TLS, and the FindLaw copies of MCL 257.251 and 257.251a do not contain the provision, so the statutory section was not located. CarEdge's report of 93,200 verified quotes (July 2025 to September 2026) puts the average doc fee in Michigan at $287. | See source | caredge.comSecondary, cites the statute | September 15, 2026 |
| Minnesota | $350 cap | Statutory capMaximum is the lesser of $350 or 10% of the sale or lease value for sales on or after July 1, 2025 (raised by 2025 c 20 s 158). An optional electronic transfer fee under 53C.01 subd. 14 is not counted as part of the fee. | Minn. Stat. 168.27 subd. 31 | revisor.mn.govState source | September 15, 2026 |
| Mississippi | No cap (typically $389) | No capCarEdge's report of 93,200 verified quotes (July 2025 to September 2026) puts the average doc fee in Mississippi at $389. | See source | caredge.comSecondary, cites the statute | September 15, 2026 |
| Missouri | $604.47 cap | Statutory capMissouri calls it an administrative fee. RSMo 301.558 sets a $500 base that is increased annually by the percentage change in CPI-U; 12 CSR 10-26.231 publishes the maximum each year: $587.43 for 2024 and $604.47 for 2025 (rule effective 8/17/2025). The 2026 maximum is published in the Missouri Register after January 14, 2026 and was not fetched. | RSMo 301.558; 12 CSR 10-26.231 | law.cornell.eduSecondary, cites the statute | September 15, 2026 |
| Montana | No cap (typically $318) | No capNo statutory cap. Cars.com (January 31, 2018): 'Montana has no cap'. CarEdge, as of September 2026: average $318 from 209 verified out-the-door quotes across 82 dealers, range $25 to $849. CarEdge's report of 93,200 verified quotes (July 2025 to September 2026) puts the average doc fee in Montana at $318. | See source | caredge.comSecondary, cites the statute | September 15, 2026 |
| Nebraska | No cap (typically $322) | No capNo statutory cap. Cars.com (January 31, 2018): 'Nebraska has no cap'. CarEdge, as of September 2026: average $322 from 194 verified out-the-door quotes across 51 dealers, range $3 to $849. CarEdge's report of 93,200 verified quotes (July 2025 to September 2026) puts the average doc fee in Nebraska at $322. | See source | caredge.comSecondary, cites the statute | September 15, 2026 |
| Nevada | No cap (typically $588) | No capNo statutory cap. Cars.com (January 31, 2018): 'Nevada has no cap'. CarEdge, as of September 2026: average $588 from 975 verified out-the-door quotes across 153 dealers, range $85 to $1,199. Doc fees are subject to Nevada sales tax. CarEdge's report of 93,200 verified quotes (July 2025 to September 2026) puts the average doc fee in Nevada at $588. | See source | caredge.comSecondary, cites the statute | September 15, 2026 |
| New Hampshire | No cap (typically $586) | No capThe dealer administration (services) fee is uncapped. Cars.com (January 31, 2018) reports that New Hampshire defines 'documentary fees' narrowly as those used to process titles and paperwork with the state and caps them at $27, while dealers may charge separate uncapped administrative fees. HB 1243 (RSA 361-A, effective July 1, 2024) clarified that documentary fees may only be lawful fees paid to public officers for filing or recording. CarEdge, as of September 2026: average $586 from 482 verified quotes across 98 dealers. CarEdge's report of 93,200 verified quotes (July 2025 to September 2026) puts the average doc fee in New Hampshire at $586. | RSA 361-A (Motor Vehicle Retail Installment Sales Act), as amended by HB 1243 (2024) | caredge.comSecondary, cites the statute | September 15, 2026 |
| New Jersey | No cap (typically $713) | No capNo dollar cap. N.J.A.C. 13:45A-26B.3 only requires each documentary service to be itemized with its price in at least 10-point type, and dealers may not claim the fee is required by government. CarEdge (2026): average $713, range $45 to $1,306, from 2,468 verified quotes across 448 dealers. CarEdge's report of 93,200 verified quotes (July 2025 to September 2026) puts the average doc fee in New Jersey at $713. | N.J.A.C. 13:45A-26B.3 | caredge.comSecondary, cites the statute | September 15, 2026 |
| New Mexico | No cap (typically $363) | No capNo statutory cap. Cars.com (January 31, 2018): 'New Mexico has no cap'. CarEdge, as of September 2026: average $363 from 377 verified out-the-door quotes across 98 dealers, range $1 to $998. CarEdge's report of 93,200 verified quotes (July 2025 to September 2026) puts the average doc fee in New Mexico at $363. | See source | caredge.comSecondary, cites the statute | September 15, 2026 |
| New York | $175 cap | Statutory cap15 NYCRR 78.19 caps the fee a dealer may charge for assisting with registration and title at $175, effective August 18, 2021; DMV title, registration and inspection fees are excluded from the cap. | 15 NYCRR 78.19(c)(2) and (d) | nyiada.orgSecondary, cites the statute | September 15, 2026 |
| North Carolina | No cap (typically $733) | No capG.S. 20-101.1 (Conspicuous disclosure of dealer administrative fees) regulates posting and disclosure of the fee only; the statute text sets no maximum amount. CarEdge's report of 93,200 verified quotes (July 2025 to September 2026) puts the average doc fee in North Carolina at $733. | N.C. Gen. Stat. 20-101.1 | caredge.comSecondary, cites the statute | September 15, 2026 |
| North Dakota | No cap (typically $283) | No capNo North Dakota cap found. The Connecticut OLR survey of states with dealer document fee caps (2023-R-0092, fetched) does not list North Dakota. CarEdge's report of 93,200 verified quotes (July 2025 to September 2026) puts the average doc fee in North Dakota at $283. | See source | caredge.comSecondary, cites the statute | September 15, 2026 |
| Ohio | Capped by formula (typically $383) | Formula capMaximum documentary service charge is the lesser of 10% of the vehicle price or a dollar amount the Ohio BMV adjusts annually for CPI (ORC 1317.07 as amended in 2024). The current dollar figure could not be verified from a primary or acceptable secondary page. CarEdge's report of 93,200 verified quotes (July 2025 to September 2026) puts the average doc fee in Ohio at $383. | Ohio Rev. Code 1317.07 and 4517.261 | caredge.comSecondary, cites the statute | September 15, 2026 |
| Oklahoma | No cap (typically $523) | No capNo Oklahoma cap found. The Connecticut OLR survey of states with dealer document fee caps (2023-R-0092, fetched) does not list Oklahoma. CarEdge's report of 93,200 verified quotes (July 2025 to September 2026) puts the average doc fee in Oklahoma at $523. | See source | caredge.comSecondary, cites the statute | September 15, 2026 |
| Oregon | $250 cap | Statutory capORS 822.043(4): $250 if the vehicle dealer uses an integrator, $200 if it does not; the fee is negotiable and no submission fee may be charged. | ORS 822.043 | oregon.public.lawSecondary, cites the statute | September 15, 2026 |
| Pennsylvania | Capped by formula (typically $464) | Formula capThe maximum documentary preparation fee is set under section 27.1 of the Board of Vehicles Act (63 P.S. 818.27a) and adjusted annually, with separate electronic and nonelectronic amounts published by the Attorney General in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. The 2026 amounts could not be verified. CarEdge's report of 93,200 verified quotes (July 2025 to September 2026) puts the average doc fee in Pennsylvania at $464. | 63 P.S. 818.27a (Board of Vehicles Act section 27.1) | pacodeandbulletin.govState source | September 15, 2026 |
| Rhode Island | $400 cap | Statutory capDocumentary preparation fee may be charged only on vehicle transactions over $10,000 and may not exceed $400; a separate 'Title Preparation Fee' of up to $20 is allowed (280-RICR-30-20-1.6(N)). | 280-RICR-30-20-1.6(N) | rules.sos.ri.govState source | September 15, 2026 |
| South Carolina | No cap (typically $512) | No capNo statutory maximum. A dealer closing fee must be registered with the Department of Consumer Affairs; amounts of $225 or less are deemed approved and higher amounts may be reviewed for reasonableness (S.C. Code 37-2-307). It must be disclosed on the contract, in the dealership and in advertising. CarEdge's report of 93,200 verified quotes (July 2025 to September 2026) puts the average doc fee in South Carolina at $512. | S.C. Code 37-2-307 | scstatehouse.govState source | September 15, 2026 |
| South Dakota | No cap (typically $281) | No capNo statutory cap reported; Cars.com: 'South Dakota has no cap, according to the South Dakota Auto Dealers Association.' CarEdge's report of 93,200 verified quotes (July 2025 to September 2026) puts the average doc fee in South Dakota at $281. | See source | caredge.comSecondary, cites the statute | September 15, 2026 |
| Tennessee | No cap (typically $670) | No capTenn. Code Ann. 55-17-114(b)(1)(E) authorizes a document preparation, processing or servicing fee if separately stated and clearly and conspicuously disclosed on the sales contract; no maximum is set. CarEdge's report of 93,200 verified quotes (July 2025 to September 2026) puts the average doc fee in Tennessee at $670. | Tenn. Code Ann. 55-17-114(b)(1)(E) | caredge.comSecondary, cites the statute | September 15, 2026 |
| Texas | No cap (typically $226) | No capNo fixed cap. Under Tex. Fin. Code 348.006 and 7 TAC 84.205 a documentary fee of $225 or less is presumed reasonable; before charging more than $225 the seller must file a written notification and a cost analysis with the OCCC showing the fee reflects costs actually incurred. CarEdge's report of 93,200 verified quotes (July 2025 to September 2026) puts the average doc fee in Texas at $226. | Tex. Fin. Code 348.006; 7 Tex. Admin. Code 84.205 | caredge.comSecondary, cites the statute | September 15, 2026 |
| Utah | No cap (typically $433) | No capUtah H.B. 194 (2023, effective July 1, 2023) bars a dealer from requiring any fee beyond the negotiated price except government fees and 'a dealer documentary service fee as described in rules made in accordance with Sections 41-3-301 and 41-3-302'; no maximum is set. Utah Admin. Code R877-23V-14 requires a sign stating the fee amount and that 'These fees are not set or mandated by statute or rule.' CarEdge's report of 93,200 verified quotes (July 2025 to September 2026) puts the average doc fee in Utah at $433. | Utah Code 41-3 as amended by H.B. 194 (2023); Utah Admin. Code R877-23V-14 | le.utah.govState source | September 15, 2026 |
| Vermont | No cap (typically $554) | No capNo cap; Cars.com: 'Vermont has no cap, according to the state's DMV.' The DMV FAQ treats the documentation fee as part of the taxable purchase price. CarEdge's report of 93,200 verified quotes (July 2025 to September 2026) puts the average doc fee in Vermont at $554. | See source | caredge.comSecondary, cites the statute | September 15, 2026 |
| Virginia | No cap (typically $825) | No capVa. Code 46.2-1530 requires the processing fee to be itemized on the buyer's order and disclosed on a sign in the sales area but sets no maximum amount. CarEdge's report of 93,200 verified quotes (July 2025 to September 2026) puts the average doc fee in Virginia at $825. | Va. Code 46.2-1530(A)(10) and (C) | law.lis.virginia.govState source | September 15, 2026 |
| Washington | $200 cap | Statutory capDocumentary service fee may not exceed $200 per vehicle sale or lease, must be disclosed in writing as negotiable before the agreement is signed, and must be separately designated from the selling price. | RCW 46.70.180(2) | app.leg.wa.govState source | September 15, 2026 |
| West Virginia | $575 cap | Statutory capCap set by the DMV Dealer Advisory Board: raised from $499 to $575 effective July 1, 2024; from July 1, 2025 the cap is tied to the BLS consumer price index and adjusted annually, so the figure in force in September 2026 may be higher than $575. | See source | wvada-news.thenewslinkgroup.orgSecondary, cites the statute | September 15, 2026 |
| Wisconsin | No cap (typically $391) | No capNo dollar cap reported; Cars.com: 'has no cap, according to the Wisconsin Automobile & Truck Dealers Association.' Wis. Admin. Code Trans 139.06 (dealer service fee rules) could not be fetched. CarEdge's report of 93,200 verified quotes (July 2025 to September 2026) puts the average doc fee in Wisconsin at $391. | See source | caredge.comSecondary, cites the statute | September 15, 2026 |
| Wyoming | No cap (typically $466) | No capNo cap; Cars.com: 'has no cap, according to the Wyoming Automobile Dealers Association.' CarEdge's report of 93,200 verified quotes (July 2025 to September 2026) puts the average doc fee in Wyoming at $466. | See source | caredge.comSecondary, cites the statute | September 15, 2026 |
How to use this on a buyer's order
Find the doc fee line on the dealer's itemized quote. In a capped state it should be at or under the figure above; if it is higher, the linked statute is your evidence. In a no-cap state, compare it with the typical range and fold the difference into your price negotiation. Then run the whole quote through the out-the-door price calculator, which pre-fills this fee for your state alongside sales tax and title and registration.
The fee is a fixed line; the price above it is not. The $9.99 Negotiation Bundle prices the specific VIN at its mileage against cars for sale near you and gives you an opening offer and a walk-away figure to argue from.
Common questions
What is a dealer doc fee?
A documentation fee (doc fee, processing fee, conveyance fee) is the dealer’s charge for preparing the sales contract, title paperwork and registration filing. It is a dealer fee, not a government one, and it is added to the price on the buyer’s order. In capped states the dealer cannot charge more than the cap; in the others the dealer sets it.
Which states have the lowest doc fee caps?
As of September 15, 2026, the lowest cap is $85 in California. California all cap the fee at $100 or less. The highest statutory cap is $800 in Maryland.
Which states have no cap on dealer doc fees?
Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming set no legal maximum; typical fees there run $226 to $909.
Is the doc fee negotiable?
Dealers rarely remove it, and many say they charge every customer the same fee. What is always negotiable is the price, so treat the doc fee as part of the out-the-door figure and ask for the same amount off the car. In a capped state, check the fee on the buyer’s order against the cap in this table.
Is sales tax charged on the doc fee?
In some states yes, because the fee is treated as part of the selling price; in others it is not. The state revenue page linked on each state’s sales tax page is the place to confirm it. Our sales tax calculator applies the rate to the vehicle price only.
How current is this table?
Every row was checked on September 15, 2026 against the statute or the state page linked in the source column, and the table is re-verified quarterly, next due December 15, 2026. Doc fee caps change at legislative sessions, so if the buyer's order shows a different figure, check the linked source before assuming the dealer is wrong.
Checking a specific car?