Out-the-door price calculator for Glendale, CA
A car's advertised price isn't what you pay. Enter the price and this adds Glendale's 11.00% sales tax, the dealer document fee and the DMV fees, so you know the real number before you visit.
Example: a new car at $35,000
| Car price | $35,000 |
|---|---|
| Document fee | $85 |
| Sales tax (11.00%) | $3,859.35 |
| Registration fee | $76 |
| California Highway Patrol fee | $34 |
| Vehicle license fee (0.65%) | $227.50 |
| Transportation improvement fee | $198 |
| Tire fee (4 new tires) | $7 |
| Out-the-door price | $39,486.85 |
An estimate. County fees and some used-car fees aren't included; ask the dealer for an itemized quote.
How it's worked out
Sales tax is charged on the car price, the add-ons and the document fee. A trade-in doesn't reduce it in California [4]. Glendale's rate went from 10.50% to 11.00% on October 1, 2026 [1].
DMV fees for a first registration are the $76 registration fee, the $34 CHP fee, a vehicle license fee of 0.65% of the price, and a transportation improvement fee from $33 to $231 depending on the car's value [2]. Used cars add a $15 transfer fee; new cars carry the $1.75-per-tire California tire fee [5].
The document fee is what the dealer charges to do the paperwork. California caps it at $85 for dealers in the DMV's partner program [3].
Ready to compare real prices? Search every car on Brand Boulevard, look through new cars or used cars, or check this week's price drops. The guide to buying on Brand Boulevard covers the rest.
Questions
What is an out-the-door price?
It's the full amount you pay to drive the car home: the car's price, any dealer add-ons, the document fee, sales tax and the DMV fees. Ask every dealer for it in writing so you can compare offers line by line.
What is the sales tax on a car in Glendale, CA?
11.00% from October 1, 2026, according to the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration. Car sales tax is based on where the car will be registered, so if you live outside Glendale, use your own city's rate.
Does a trade-in lower the sales tax in California?
No. California taxes the full selling price, and the trade-in allowance can't be taken off the taxed amount (CDTFA Publication 34). The trade-in still lowers what you pay or finance.
How much can a California dealer charge for the doc fee?
At most $85 for dealers in the DMV's partner program, or $70 for those that aren't (Vehicle Code section 4456.5). Doc fees are taxed.
What is not included in this estimate?
County and district registration fees (a few dollars that vary by county), smog fees on some used cars, an electronic filing charge some dealers pass on, and extended warranties or service contracts. Ask the dealer for an itemized quote.
Sources
All read on October 27, 2026.
- California Department of Tax and Fee Administration, "New Sales and Use Tax Rates Effective October 1, 2026" (L-1037). City of Glendale: 10.500% to 11.000% from October 1, 2026.
- California DMV, "Registration Fees". Registration $76, CHP fee $34, vehicle license fee 0.65% of the price, transportation improvement fee $33 to $231 by value, transfer $15.
- California Vehicle Code section 4456.5. Document processing charge: at most $85 (dealers in the DMV partner program) or $70.
- California Department of Tax and Fee Administration, Publication 34, "Motor Vehicle Dealers". A trade-in does not lower the taxed amount; doc fees are taxed.
- California Public Resources Code section 42885. California tire fee: $1.75 per new tire.