Short answer
Bring a valid driver's license and proof of insurance. If you are financing, proof of income and proof of residence are commonly requested too. You pay the vehicle's total price plus sales tax for the address where you register it, plus DMV fees. The dealer handles your temporary plates and the registration paperwork.
What should I bring?
- Driver's licenseFor the test drive and paperwork.
- Proof of insuranceBefore you drive home.
- Proof of incomePay stubs or bank statements.
- Proof of residenceA utility bill or lease.
- Trading in?Title or loan details, and every key.
What are the steps?
- 1Pick from the lotOne total price on every listing.
- 2Test driveFreeway, a steep street, a tight parking spot.
- 3FinancingThe lender decides approval.
- 4Read before you signRecovR and Clear Shield are optional.
- 5Temporary platesPermanent plates arrive by mail.
What will I pay out the door?
Out the door, about$31,652
- Listed total$26,171
- Est. sales tax 9.875%, Daly City 94014 (you pay the rate where you register the car)DMV fee calculator · The exact amount is on your contract.About $2,801 (estimate)
- DMV feesDMV fee calculator · The exact amount is on your contract.About $490 (estimate)
- RecovR (optional, added on top)+$1,495
- Clear Shield (optional, added on top)+$695
- Smog fee · already in the listed total$50
How the DMV estimate is built
Fees to register it in San Mateo County, on a vehicle value of $28,189 (the price with any add-ons you include, before the doc, filing and smog fees).
- Registration (incl. $3 alternative fuel fee)$76
- California Highway Patrol fee$34
- Vehicle license fee, 0.65% of $28,189$183
- Transportation improvement fee, $25,000–$34,999 tier$132
- San Mateo County and district fees$20
- Transfer fee$15
- Smog abatement fee$20
- Smog transfer fee$8
- Sum of the lines$488
Shown as about $490 · DMV fee calculator
An estimate, not a quote.
Example: a car on the lot2023 Jeep Grand CherokeeL OverlandUsed · $26,171 · #CH1508See this car →Frequently asked questions
Is sales tax included in the price on the website?
No. The listed total includes the doc fee and the filing fee, plus the smog fee on used cars. Sales tax and DMV fees are added at signing.
Why is my sales tax different from Colma's rate?
California charges vehicle sales tax at the rate for the address where the car is registered, not where the dealer is. A Daly City buyer and a San Francisco buyer pay different tax on the same car.
Does a trade-in reduce sales tax in California?
No. Sales tax is charged on the full selling price of the car you buy. A trade-in lowers what you pay or finance, but not the tax.
Which documents are commonly requested?
A valid driver's license, proof of auto insurance before you drive home, proof of income such as recent pay stubs or bank statements if you are financing, and proof of residence such as a utility bill or lease. If you are trading in: the title or your loan details, the registration and every key. Every lender has its own list, so call (415) 500-0862 first.
How does car financing work?
You can get a pre-approval from your own bank or credit union, or apply through the dealership, which sends the application to the lenders it works with. The lender decides whether to approve you and at what interest rate. Compare the total cost of the loan, not only the monthly figure.
How do I get the most out of a test drive?
Bring everyone who will drive it, drive the roads you actually use, install your car seat if you have one, and on a used vehicle ask for the vehicle history report.
What should I check before I sign?
That the vehicle price matches what you agreed, every add-on is listed separately, the trade-in value and loan payoff are right, and the sales tax fits your registration address. Never sign a form with blanks, and keep copies of everything.
Can I decline RecovR and Clear Shield?
Yes. Both are optional and not in the listed total; where a dealer price includes them, the listing shows the total without them.
Do I get temporary plates when I buy a car in California?
Yes. The dealer puts temporary paper plates on the car and submits the registration to the DMV; your permanent plates and registration card come by mail.
Can I get help in my language?
Yes. At Stewart Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, Silvio sells in English and Spanish, and team members can help in Tagalog, Portuguese, Ukrainian, Russian and Georgian. Call (415) 500-0862.
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