Who is responsible for collecting registration fees on vehicles sold?

The responsibility for collecting registration fees on vehicles sold falls to the dealer selling the vehicle. When a dealership completes a sale, part of their role includes facilitating the transaction's administrative aspects, which involve handling the paperwork necessary to transfer ownership. This includes collecting any applicable registration fees that are required by state law.

By doing so, the dealership ensures that the buyer can easily register their vehicle without having to navigate the registration process independently. This added convenience is a common service provided by dealerships, reinforcing their role as intermediaries in the vehicle purchasing process.

The Department of Motor Vehicles oversees registration but does not directly collect fees at the point of sale. The manufacturer is not involved in the registration process once a vehicle is sold by a dealership. While the buyer ultimately pays for the vehicle and associated costs, it is the dealer's responsibility to collect and remit the registration fees to the appropriate authorities.