Dealer Doc Fee by State (2026): Every Cap, Every Range, All 50 States
Doc fees run $85 in California and $999 in Florida. Same paperwork. The difference is regulation. Here's every state's cap or typical range for 2026.
· 8 min read
Key Takeaways
- At least 15 states have statutory caps on dealer doc fees — in those states the number is fixed by law and won't move
- Florida, Virginia, and North Carolina are consistently the most expensive uncapped markets — budget $700–$999 before you walk in
- California has the lowest cap in the country at $85 — a bill to raise it to $260 was vetoed in October 2025
- The doc fee is never negotiable as a standalone line item — the right move is to fold it into your out-the-door total and negotiate that number instead
A buyer in California pays $85 for dealer paperwork. A buyer in Florida pays $999 for the same paperwork. That $914 gap is not a difference in cost. It's a difference in regulation.
The documentation fee is on every car deal in every state. What you pay depends almost entirely on whether your state passed a law limiting what dealers can charge. I spent 12 years in dealership finance offices. The doc fee was one of the most consistent profit lines on every deal — and in states with no cap, it's one of the highest-margin items in the entire transaction.
Here's the complete breakdown: every state, what the cap is where one exists, and what dealers actually charge where there isn't one.
Last updated: May 2026. CPI-indexed caps adjust annually — figures reflect current known rates.
What Is a Dealer Doc Fee?
The documentation fee — also called a doc fee, documentary fee, processing fee, or conveyance fee — is a dealership charge for processing your transaction: preparing contracts, filing DMV paperwork, handling compliance, and record-keeping.
The actual cost to process a deal: $50–$150. Dealers in uncapped states charge $300–$1,200. The difference is profit.
For the full breakdown of what the fee covers, why dealers protect it, and exactly how to handle it in a negotiation, see our guide on what is a dealer doc fee.
Quick Answer: How Much Is the Doc Fee in My State?
| STATE | 2026 DOC FEE | CAP? |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $400–$500 | No cap |
| Alaska | $200–$400 | No cap |
| Arizona | $400–$600 | No cap |
| Arkansas | $129 | Capped |
| California | $85 | Capped — CA Vehicle Code §11713.1 |
| Colorado | $500–$700 | No cap |
| Connecticut | $500–$699 | No cap |
| Delaware | $400–$500 | No cap |
| Florida | $800–$999 | No cap |
| Georgia | $500–$699 | No cap |
| Hawaii | $300–$450 | No cap |
| Idaho | $300–$500 | No cap |
| Illinois | ~$378 | Statutory cap — CPI-indexed annually from $150 base |
| Indiana | ~$251 | Statutory cap — CPI-indexed, effective July 2025 |
| Iowa | $180 | Statutory cap — hard cap, new and used |
| Kansas | $400–$600 | No cap |
| Kentucky | $350–$500 | No cap |
| Louisiana | ~$436 | Statutory cap — CPI-indexed, max 3% annual increase |
| Maine | $400–$600 | No cap |
| Maryland | $800 | Statutory cap — under SB 362, effective July 2024 |
| Massachusetts | $395–$499 | No cap |
| Michigan | $280 or 5% of sale price, whichever is less | Statutory cap — CPI-indexed. $280 applies in most transactions |
| Minnesota | $350 | Statutory cap — raised from $125, effective July 2025. Under $3,499 vehicles: 10% of sale price |
| Mississippi | $350–$500 | No cap |
| Missouri | ~$621 | Statutory cap — CPI-indexed, as of February 2026 |
| Montana | $200–$350 | No cap |
| Nebraska | $200–$350 | No cap |
| Nevada | $400–$600 | No cap |
| New Hampshire | $300–$450 | No cap |
| New Jersey | $599–$999 | No cap — amount entirely at dealer discretion |
| New Mexico | $300–$450 | No cap |
| New York | $175 | Statutory cap — strictly enforced |
| North Carolina | $599–$799 | No cap — among higher uncapped states |
| North Dakota | $200–$350 | No cap |
| Ohio | ~$398 or 10% of vehicle price, whichever is less | Statutory cap — CPI-indexed annually |
| Oklahoma | $500–$699 | No cap |
| Oregon | $200–$250 | Statutory cap — $250 with integrator, $200 without, under ORS 822.043 |
| Pennsylvania | $409–$490 | Statutory cap — CPI-indexed. $490 online processing, $409 manual, effective January 2026 |
| Rhode Island | $300–$450 | No cap |
| South Carolina | $300–$450 | No cap |
| South Dakota | $200–$300 | No cap — lower than most uncapped states |
| Tennessee | $400–$599 | No cap |
| Texas | $150–$300 | No hard cap — $225 regulatory safe harbor (OCCC, effective July 2024). Dealers above $225 must justify the amount |
| Utah | $250–$350 | No cap |
| Vermont | $150–$250 | No cap — lower than most uncapped states |
| Virginia | $700–$899 | No cap — among highest in country, Northern Virginia dealers at top of range |
| Washington | $200 | Statutory cap — under RCW 46.70.180, strong compliance |
| West Virginia | $575 | Statutory cap — effective July 2024, CPI-indexed from July 2025 |
| Wisconsin | $200–$350 | No cap |
| Wyoming | $400–$600 | No cap |
| Washington DC | $250–$350 | No cap |
Capped states: figures reflect statutory maximum. Uncapped states: figures reflect typical market range — individual dealers may charge above or below.
States With Statutory Caps — Full Breakdown
At least 15 states have passed laws limiting dealer doc fees. Here's the verified breakdown:
| STATE | 2026 CAP | TYPE | NOTES |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $85 | Hard cap | CA Vehicle Code §11713.1. SB 791 that would have raised it to $260 was vetoed Oct 2025. $70 for non-DMV partners |
| New York | $175 | Hard cap | Strict enforcement — one of the lowest caps in the country |
| Arkansas | $129 | Hard cap | One of the most straightforward caps in the country |
| Iowa | $180 | Hard cap | No distinction between new and used vehicles |
| Washington | $200 | Hard cap | RCW 46.70.180 — clear and enforced |
| Oregon | $200–$250 | Hard cap | ORS 822.043 — $250 with integrator, $200 without |
| Indiana | $251 | CPI-indexed | Effective July 2025 — adjusts periodically |
| Michigan | $280 or 5% | CPI-indexed | Whichever is less — dual-component cap based on vehicle price |
| Minnesota | $350 | Hard cap | Effective July 2025 (raised from $125). 10% cap applies for vehicles under $3,499 |
| Illinois | ~$378 | CPI-indexed | Indexed annually from $150 base |
| Louisiana | ~$436 | CPI-indexed | Max 3% annual increase |
| Pennsylvania | $409–$490 | CPI-indexed | $490 online processing, $409 manual — effective Jan 2026 |
| West Virginia | $575 | CPI-indexed | Effective July 2024, adjusts July 2025 onward |
| Maryland | $800 | Hard cap | SB 362, effective July 2024 — one of the higher caps |
| Ohio | ~$398 or 10% | CPI-indexed | Whichever is less — based on vehicle price |
| Texas | $225 safe harbor | Regulatory guidance | Not a hard cap — OCCC rule. Dealers must justify charges above $225 |
| Missouri | ~$621 | CPI-indexed | Adjusts annually — confirmed Feb 2026 |
Note on CPI-indexed caps: Several states tie their caps to the Consumer Price Index, meaning the number changes annually. The figures above reflect the most recently verified 2026 rates. Always confirm the current rate for your state before signing.
State-by-State Detail
Alabama
No statutory cap. Typical range: $400–$500. Dealers have full discretion on the amount.
Alaska
No statutory cap. Typical range: $200–$400. Lower volume market means fees tend to be somewhat more moderate than high-population uncapped states.
Arizona
No statutory cap. Typical range: $400–$600. Competitive metro markets like Phoenix can see variation across dealers.
Arkansas
Capped at $129. One of the most consumer-friendly doc fee laws in the country. Dealers cannot exceed this amount.
California
Capped at $85 (for DMV private industry partners) or $70 (for non-partner dealers) under California Vehicle Code §11713.1. This is one of the lowest caps in the country. SB 791, which would have raised the cap to up to $260, was vetoed by Governor Newsom in October 2025. The $85 cap remains in effect for 2026. Any California dealer charging significantly above $85 is out of compliance with state law.
Colorado
No statutory cap. Typical range: $500–$700 — higher than most uncapped states. Denver-area dealers commonly charge at the high end.
Connecticut
No statutory cap. Typical range: $500–$699.
Delaware
No statutory cap. Typical range: $400–$500.
Florida
No statutory cap. Most dealers charge $800–$999, with some charging $1,200+. Florida is consistently among the highest doc fee states in the country. The fee is legal, standard for the market, and not typically removable as a standalone line item. Build it into your out-the-door target.
Georgia
No statutory cap. Typical range: $500–$699.
Hawaii
No statutory cap. Typical range: $300–$450.
Idaho
No statutory cap. Typical range: $300–$500.
Illinois
Capped at approximately $378 as of 2026 — CPI-indexed annually from a $150 base. Illinois has one of the stronger caps in the country with reasonable enforcement.
Indiana
Capped at $251 — CPI-indexed, effective July 2025. Actively enforced by the state's motor vehicle division.
Iowa
Capped at $180 — hard cap with no distinction between new and used vehicles. One of the clearer caps in the country.
Kansas
No statutory cap. Typical range: $400–$600.
Kentucky
No statutory cap. Typical range: $350–$500.
Louisiana
Capped at approximately $436 as of 2026 — CPI-indexed with a maximum 3% annual increase. Enforced by the Louisiana motor vehicle commission.
Maine
No statutory cap. Typical range: $400–$600.
Maryland
Capped at $800 under SB 362, effective July 2024. One of the higher caps in the country — provides a legal limit but not a low one.
Massachusetts
No statutory cap. Typical range: $395–$499.
Michigan
Capped at $280 or 5% of the vehicle's sale price, whichever is less. CPI-indexed annually. The dual-component structure creates a sliding ceiling — on a $40,000 vehicle, 5% is $2,000, so the $280 hard limit is what applies in most cases.
Minnesota
Capped at $350 effective July 2025 (raised from $125). For vehicles under $3,499, the cap is 10% of the sale price. Enforced by the state attorney general's office.
Mississippi
No statutory cap. Typical range: $350–$500.
Missouri
Capped at approximately $621 as of February 2026 — CPI-indexed annually.
Montana
No statutory cap. Typical range: $200–$350.
Nebraska
No statutory cap. Typical range: $200–$350.
Nevada
No statutory cap. Typical range: $400–$600.
New Hampshire
No statutory cap. Typical range: $300–$450.
New Jersey
No statutory cap. Typical range: $500–$799. No legal limit — amount is entirely at dealer discretion. NJ is one of the higher uncapped fee markets in the Northeast.
New Mexico
No statutory cap. Typical range: $300–$450.
New York
Capped at $175. Strict enforcement with aggressive consumer protection. Most dealers stay at or near this limit.
North Carolina
No statutory cap. Typical range: $599–$799 — among the higher uncapped states in the country.
North Dakota
No statutory cap. Typical range: $200–$350.
Ohio
Capped at approximately $398 or 10% of vehicle price, whichever is less — CPI-indexed annually.
Oklahoma
No statutory cap. Typical range: $500–$699.
Oregon
Capped at $250 (with integrator) or $200 (without integrator) under ORS 822.043.
Pennsylvania
Capped at $490 (online processing) or $409 (manual processing) — CPI-indexed, effective January 2026.
Rhode Island
No statutory cap. Typical range: $300–$450.
South Carolina
No statutory cap. Typical range: $300–$450.
South Dakota
No statutory cap. Typical range: $200–$300 — lower than most uncapped states.
Tennessee
No statutory cap. Typical range: $400–$599.
Texas
No hard cap, but the Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner (OCCC) established a $225 safe harbor effective July 2024. Dealers charging above $225 must be able to justify the additional amount. In practice many Texas dealers charge $150–$300. The safe harbor is regulatory guidance, not a legal ceiling.
Utah
No statutory cap. Typical range: $250–$350.
Vermont
No statutory cap. Typical range: $150–$250 — lower than most uncapped states.
Virginia
No statutory cap. Typical range: $700–$899 — among the highest doc fee markets in the country, particularly in Northern Virginia metro area.
Washington
Capped at $200 under RCW 46.70.180 — clear, enforceable cap with strong compliance.
West Virginia
Capped at $575 — effective July 2024, CPI-indexed with adjustments beginning July 2025.
Wisconsin
No statutory cap. Typical range: $200–$350.
Wyoming
No statutory cap. Typical range: $400–$600.
Washington DC
No statutory cap. Typical range: $250–$350.
Why Caps Prove the Fee Is Profit
California dealers process the same paperwork as Florida dealers. They charge $85. Florida dealers charge $999.
That $914 gap is not explained by cost difference. It is explained entirely by the presence or absence of state regulation. California passed a law in 1984 limiting what dealers can charge. Florida hasn't.
In every state with a statutory cap, dealers charge exactly up to the cap — not less. If the fee genuinely reflected processing costs, competitive pressure would be driving it toward actual cost in uncapped states. It isn't. The fee is profit wherever the law allows it.
The Most Expensive States
If you're buying in one of these states, the doc fee alone adds $700–$999 to your out-the-door price:
| STATE | 2026 AMOUNT | CAP? |
|---|---|---|
| Florida | $800–$999 | No |
| New Jersey | $599–$999 | No |
| Virginia | $700–$899 | No |
| North Carolina | $599–$799 | No |
| Georgia | $500–$699 | No |
| Oklahoma | $500–$699 | No |
| Colorado | $500–$700 | No |
| Maryland | Up to $800 | Capped — but cap is high |
In these states, the doc fee is a known cost of the local market. The right move is to factor it into your out-the-door target before negotiations start — not to fight the fee directly.
The Cheapest States
| STATE | 2026 AMOUNT | CAP? |
|---|---|---|
| California | $85 | Yes |
| Arkansas | $129 | Yes |
| Iowa | $180 | Yes |
| New York | $175 | Yes |
| Washington | $200 | Yes |
| Oregon | $200–$250 | Yes |
| Vermont | $150–$250 | No cap — market low |
| Texas | $150–$300 | $225 safe harbor |
Is the Doc Fee Negotiable in My State?
| STATE TYPE | REALITY | WHAT TO DO |
|---|---|---|
| Capped state | Fee is at or near legal maximum — not removable | Accept the fee — focus on vehicle price and add-ons |
| Uncapped state, fee at market range | Dealer won't remove it but will offset in other places | Negotiate the out-the-door total, not the fee itself |
| Uncapped state, fee above market range | Above-market fees are worth flagging | Say: "Your doc fee is above market for this area — I need the vehicle price to reflect that" |
| Any state | Never negotiate the fee directly | Negotiate the OTD total instead |
The script that works in any state: "I'm focused on my out-the-door number. If we can get to $X all-in including the doc fee, taxes, and registration, I'm ready to move forward."
That framing forces the dealer to absorb the doc fee somewhere in the deal structure. The fee stays on paper. Your total doesn't move.
For how the doc fee fits into your complete out-the-door total, see our guide on what is out-the-door price.
What If I'm Buying Out of State?
The doc fee belongs to the dealer's state — not your home state. If you buy from a Florida dealer, you pay Florida's doc fee regardless of where you live.
Registration, title, and sales tax are typically paid in your home state where the vehicle will be titled and registered. Some dealers collect your home-state taxes and fees at purchase and handle the paperwork. Others require you to register yourself at your local DMV.
If you're buying out of state to capture a better price, always account for the destination state's doc fee in your comparison. A dealer in Virginia with a vehicle $500 cheaper than your local dealer but charging $899 in doc fees may actually be more expensive out-the-door.
Always compare full out-the-door totals across dealers — not just vehicle prices.
What to Do Based on Your Situation
You're in a capped state: The fee is at or near the legal limit and won't move. Put your energy into the vehicle price, trade-in, and add-ons. The doc fee is genuinely fixed by law.
You're in a high-fee uncapped state (FL, VA, NC, NJ): Expect $600–$999 and build it into your out-the-door target before you start negotiating. A dealer charging $899 in Florida isn't being aggressive — that's the local market. Negotiate the vehicle price lower to compensate.
You're in a lower-fee uncapped state and the fee seems high: If a dealer is charging significantly above the typical range for your market, point it out and fold it into your OTD target. Say: "Your doc fee is above what I've seen locally — I need the out-the-door number to reflect that."
You're comparing dealers across state lines: Always compare out-the-door totals. A dealer in Virginia with a vehicle $300 less than a local dealer but a $600 higher doc fee is actually $300 more expensive. Get complete OTD quotes from each before deciding.
A dealer tells you the doc fee is required by law: It's not. The doc fee is a dealer charge, not a government fee. Registration, title, and sales tax are required by law and appear as separate line items. If a dealer tells you the doc fee itself is legally required, that's not accurate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the dealer doc fee by state in 2026?
The doc fee varies from $85 in California (statutory cap) to $999+ in Florida (no cap). Approximately 15 states have statutory caps or formal regulatory limits. The remaining states leave the amount entirely to dealer discretion. The table above shows the cap or typical range for all 50 states plus DC.
Which states cap the dealer doc fee?
States with confirmed statutory caps or regulatory limits as of 2026: California ($85), Arkansas ($129), Iowa ($180), New York ($175), Washington ($200), Oregon ($200–$250), Indiana (~$251), Michigan ($280 or 5%), Minnesota ($350), Illinois (~$378), Louisiana (~$436), Pennsylvania ($409–$490), West Virginia ($575), Maryland ($800), Ohio (~$398 or 10%), and Missouri (~$621). Texas has a $225 regulatory safe harbor but no hard cap.
What is the doc fee in Florida?
Florida has no statutory cap. Most Florida dealers charge $800–$999, with some charging $1,200+. It is one of the highest doc fee markets in the country. The fee is legal and standard for the market — build it into your out-the-door target rather than fighting it as a line item.
What is the doc fee in California?
California caps the doc fee at $85 for DMV private industry partner dealers and $70 for non-partner dealers under CA Vehicle Code §11713.1. A bill that would have raised the cap to $260 (SB 791) was vetoed by Governor Newsom in October 2025. The $85 cap remains in effect for 2026.
What is the doc fee in New York?
New York caps the documentation fee at $175 by state law. This is strictly enforced.
What is the doc fee in New Jersey?
New Jersey has no statutory cap. Most NJ dealers charge $500–$799. There is no legal limit — the amount is entirely at dealer discretion.
What is the doc fee in Texas?
Texas has no hard statutory cap but the Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner established a $225 safe harbor effective July 2024. Dealers charging above $225 must justify the additional amount. Most Texas dealers charge $150–$300 in practice.
What is the doc fee in Virginia?
Virginia has no cap. Most Virginia dealers charge $700–$899, making it one of the highest doc fee states. Northern Virginia dealers near the DC metro often charge at the top of this range.
What is the doc fee in Ohio?
Ohio caps the doc fee at approximately $398 or 10% of the vehicle price, whichever is less. The cap is CPI-indexed and adjusts annually.
What is the doc fee in Minnesota?
Minnesota raised its doc fee cap to $350 effective July 2025 (up from $125). For vehicles priced under $3,499, the cap is 10% of the sale price. The new cap is enforced by the state attorney general's office.
What is the doc fee in Illinois?
Illinois caps doc fees at approximately $378 as of 2026 — CPI-indexed annually from a $150 base. This is one of the stronger caps in the country with reasonable dealer compliance.
Is the dealer doc fee negotiable?
Not as a standalone line item. Dealers charge it on every deal — removing it for one buyer creates legal and compliance risk. The right approach is to negotiate the total out-the-door price. The dealer will absorb the doc fee somewhere else in the deal structure. Never negotiate the doc fee directly — negotiate the OTD total instead.
Why do doc fees vary so much by state?
Because state law varies. In capped states, legislators passed consumer protection laws limiting what dealers can charge. In uncapped states, no such law has been passed. The core paperwork in every state is broadly similar — contracts, title, registration, compliance. The fee difference is regulatory, not cost-based.
Does the doc fee apply to leases?
Yes. The doc fee appears on lease deals the same as purchases. It can be charged upfront at signing or rolled into the cap cost where it adds a small amount to each monthly payment. Rolling it in is generally the better financial choice.
The doc fee is on every deal in every state. What you pay is determined almost entirely by whether your state passed a law limiting it.
In capped states the number is fixed. In uncapped states it's a profit line the dealer controls, and the variation between dealers in the same market can be hundreds of dollars.
Know your state's number before you walk in. Build it into your out-the-door target. And if the dealer's fee is significantly above the typical range for your market, use the OTD framing to get it offset rather than fighting the line item directly.
For the complete guide on how to handle the doc fee in a negotiation, see our guide on what is a dealer doc fee. For how the doc fee fits into your total out-the-door cost, see our guide on what is out-the-door price.
