California Bill Cracking Down on Predatory DMV Scams Moves One Step Closer to Becoming Law

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Assemblymember Matt Haney’s (D-San Francisco) AB 1190 has passed the Assembly Floor with near-unanimous bipartisan support on a 73-1 vote. The bill will stop third-party websites from tricking Californians into thinking they are using official government sites and then charging inflated and misleading fees for DMV services. AB 1190 represents a major step forward in protecting California consumers—especially seniors and working families—from deceptive online practices.

For years, Californians have been misled by websites designed to look like the DMV’s official page but that tack on steep, hidden “convenience fees.” A recent ABC 7 investigation exposed just how widespread and harmful these scams are.

“Families and seniors are getting tricked into paying hundreds of dollars more than they should,” said Haney. “This bill ends these scams and makes sure Californians only pay a reasonable, fair fee for any DMV service.”

In one case, a senior was charged $303 for a registration that should’ve cost $221. Another person paid $956 for two renewals—only one was processed—and was hit with over $150 in hidden fees. Both were threatened with legal action after disputing the charges.

“These are not isolated mistakes. These predatory websites rely on confusing seniors, families, and low-income Californians,” Haney said.

Currently, state law caps fees charged by authorized DMV partners like dealerships, but third-party websites face no such limit. AB 1190 would close that loophole by restricting them to a small, regulated fee above DMV rates.

“The DMV is a vital service for every Californian, and it should be accessible without fear of manipulation,” Haney said. “We’re drawing a line in the sand. If you’re going to offer a service, you’re going to do it honestly.”

The bill, which passed off the Assembly Floor with overwhelming bipartisan support, now heads to the California Senate.