Documentation Fee (Doc Fee)
A flat fee for processing paperwork. State-capped in some states; uncapped elsewhere.
The documentation fee is what the dealer charges for handling registration paperwork. Actual cost: $40-$80. Typical charge: $300-$995, though uncapped states run higher — Motrix has pulled a real Georgia quote charging $1,449 for the same paperwork a California dealer charges the $85 cap for (a 17x spread). Some states cap doc fees (CA $85, NY $175, TX $225) but many (FL, AL, GA) don't. If your state caps doc fees, never pay above the cap. If your state doesn't cap them, negotiate the doc fee down or get an equivalent reduction in the vehicle price to offset.
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