DMVCA
California DMV forms & fees — complete guide
Reviewed by the DMVCA editorial team
Last updated June 28, 2026
California DMV paperwork comes down to two questions: which form do I need, and what’s the fee? This library answers both — a page for every major form (searchable by its DL, REG, OL, or INF number), the full fee schedule, the document checklists behind common transactions, and the official handbooks.
Most forms can be downloaded, filled, and filed online or by mail; the rest go to a DMV office. Each form page tells you what it’s for, who needs it, how to complete it, and where to send it — so you can get it right the first time.
At a glance 8 metrics
Forms
By number
DL · REG · OL · INF
Most-used form
DL 44
license / ID application
License fee
$46
Class C
Base registration
$76
+ VLF, CHP, local
REAL ID fee
$46
no extra fee
Title transfer
$15+
plus use tax
Duplicate license
$37
Fee schedule
FFVR 1
updated annually
Quick start
Top tasks
Find a form by number Search DL, REG, OL, and INF forms. DL 44 — license/ID application The form behind every license visit. Look up license fees By license type and transaction. Look up registration fees Base, VLF, CHP, and local fees. Document checklists What to bring, by transaction. Handbooks & manuals Driver, motorcycle, and CDL handbooks.
Browse by topic
4 clusters · ordered by user journey, not alphabet.
01 Forms by number The common DMV forms by number — DL 44, REG 227, REG 256, REG 262, and more — each linked to its official form. 02 Fees The full fee schedule — license, registration, VLF, title, penalties, and replacements.
03 Document checklists REAL ID, first license, registration, residency, and non-citizen document lists.Coming soon
04 Handbooks & manuals California Driver Handbook, Motorcycle Handbook, Commercial Handbook, parent-teen guide.Coming soon
Most searched
The 8 questions readers ask most
01 DL 44 — Driver License or ID Card Application 02 California registration fee calculator 03 REG 262 — Vehicle/Vessel Transfer & Reassignment 04 California driver's license fees 05 REG 227 — Application for Replacement or Transfer of Title 06 REAL ID document checklist 07 Vehicle license fee (VLF) explained 08 REG 138 — Notice of Transfer & Release of Liability
How to
Find and file a DMV form — 5 steps
Most forms can be downloaded, filled, and filed without an office visit.
1
Identify what you need
A form (by number or purpose) or a fee. Search by the prefix — DL, REG, OL, INF. Form finder ›
2
Open the form page
Each page explains what the form is for, who needs it, and how to complete it section by section.
3
Download and fill it
Print or complete the PDF; some forms can be pre-filled online at dmv.ca.gov.
4
Check the fee
Look up the exact fee or estimate it with the fee calculator.
5
Submit it
Online, by mail, or at a DMV office — the form page says which.
Fees
Standard fees as of May 2026.
Driver's license (Class C)
REAL ID upgrade
no extra fee beyond the license fee
Duplicate license
Base vehicle registration
+ VLF, CHP, local fees
Title transfer
plus use tax on purchases
Duplicate title (REG 227)
Late registration penalty
Documents you'll need
The document checklists behind common transactions.
1 REAL ID checklist Identity (also proves legal presence), SSN, two residency proofs 2 First-license documents What new drivers bring 3 Vehicle registration documents Title, smog, insurance 4 Proof of California residency Accepted documents list
Tip. The document checklist generator builds a personalized list from a few questions — faster than guessing.
By department
California DMV forms are grouped by prefix — DL, REG, OL, INF.
The bigger picture
How forms & fees connect to the rest of the DMV system
Forms and fees are the paperwork layer under every transaction. The form you file and the fee you pay come from whatever you're doing — getting a driver's license, handling vehicle registration, or any other DMV service. Many forms can be filed online or by mail; the rest go to a DMV office. This library exists so you can find the right form by number and confirm the exact fee before you start.
Frequently asked questions
What is DMV form DL 44?
The Driver License or ID Card Application — the form behind every license/ID transaction at the office. It can be pre-filled online. See DL 44.
How do I find a California DMV form by number?
Search the forms library by prefix — DL (driver license), REG (registration), OL (occupational), INF (information).
How much is a California driver's license?
$46 for a Class C (new or renewal). See the full license fee table for every class and transaction.
How are California registration fees calculated?
A base fee plus the vehicle license fee (0.65% of value), the CHP fee, a transportation improvement fee, and local fees. Estimate yours with the fee calculator.
What form do I use to sell a car?
REG 262 (transfer & reassignment) for the transaction and REG 138 (release of liability) to notify the DMV you sold it. See the forms library.
What documents do I need for a REAL ID?
One identity document (which also proves legal presence), your SSN, and two California residency proofs. See the REAL ID checklist.
Where can I download California DMV forms?
Most form pages link the official PDF; a few (like REG 262) are only available in a DMV office. The originals are at dmv.ca.gov. Start from the forms library.
What is the vehicle license fee (VLF)?
A fee equal to 0.65% of your vehicle's depreciated value, charged each year at registration — it's the part of your bill that changes most. See registration fees.
Is there a fee to change my address?
No — a change of address is free and can be done online.
Which California driver handbook should I read?
The California Driver Handbook for cars, the Motorcycle Handbook for M1/M2, or the Commercial Handbook for CDL. See handbooks.
Can I file DMV forms online?
Many — renewals, address changes, and some applications. Others go by mail or to a DMV office. The form page says which.
What's new in California DMV fees for 2026?
Fee schedules adjust annually (publication FFVR 1). See the DMV news for current changes.
Forms & fees tools
Calculators & checkers tied to this pillar.
Fee calculator Registration & license costs Planned
Document checklist generator Personalized by situation Planned
Form finder Search by number or purpose Live Use-tax estimator Tax on a vehicle purchase Planned
Sources. California DMV — Forms · California DMV — Fees · California DMV — Fee schedule (FFVR 1) · California DMV — Handbooks & manuals
Last verified June 28, 2026 · reviewed quarterly and after any policy change.