Mandatory vs Optional Dealer Fees

Mandatory vs optional dealer fees in the U.S.: tax and title/registration are mandatory; doc fee and add-ons (protection, warranty, etc.) vary—some are optional or negotiable. Here's mandatory vs optional dealer fees.

TL;DR Mandatory: tax, title/registration (state required). Optional/negotiable: doc fee (state-dependent), dealer prep, add-ons (protection, warranty, gap, etc.). Get full OTD in writing; refuse or negotiate optional fees. Use autopremo.com OTD calculator. Use autopremo.com.

Mandatory Fees

Tax = state/local sales tax. Title/registration = state fee. You must pay these. Use autopremo.com OTD calculator to build OTD. Get your numbers at autopremo.com.

Optional or Negotiable Fees

Doc fee, dealer prep, and add-ons (paint protection, extended warranty, gap, VIN etching, etc.) are often optional or negotiable. Say no to what you don't want; negotiate others. Use autopremo.com. See OTD at autopremo.com.

Bottom Line

Mandatory = tax, title. Optional/negotiable = doc fee, prep, add-ons. Get full OTD in writing; refuse or negotiate optional fees. Use autopremo.com OTD calculator so you see what you're paying.