California man left feeling 'physically sick' after renewing his registration online and seeing the cost
Published on Aug 11, 2025 at 7:29 PM (UTC+4)
by Daisy Edwards
Last updated on Aug 12, 2025 at 11:53 AM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Emma Matthews
This content creator from California was left feeling ‘physically sick’ after renewing his registration online and seeing the cost.
After keeping the nature of his car a secret, the cost of registration on it led commenters to assume he must drive something luxe and expensive.
In the content creator’s state, the registration fee is determined by a number of factors, all combined together, and taken into account by the California DMV.
It seems, though, with the type of car that this guy picked, he was going to have to pay a lot of surprise add-ons because for him, it’s not just the car.
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He felt ‘physically sick’ after renewing his car’s registration
For many car owners like this one, it becomes boring very quickly when you realize quite how many costs there are on top of the car itself. And in the case of this Californian man, his EV is so clearly expensive.
Content creator Patrick Wrompas shared a TikTok where he showed how much it would cost him to renew the registration on his car, and it came to an eye-watering $920.
The commenters on his video seemed very much in agreement with the TikToker, describing how the number made him feel ‘physically sick.’
Wrompas kept the type of car he was registering quiet, but revealed all in the comments, especially after one commenter wrote:
“Oh you drive something niiiiiiice lol.”
@namadiapatrick And yall wonder why everyone’s tags are expired
♬ admire the perc – !
Driving a Tesla in California
It varies state by state, but when Wrompas revealed in the comments that he lived in California, it became clear that the DMV factors in a lot of different things when coming up with the cost of your registration renewal.
The California DMV takes into account your vehicle’s purchase price, what city or county you live in, the weight and number of axles your vehicle has, as well as any unpaid parking violations you might have.
In the comments, Patrick also revealed that he drives a Tesla, which was the cause of his physical illness, as he was trying to keep it running.
Teslas have high initial costs, and that gets included when the DMV is working out your registration renewal price – Patrick unfortunately fell foul, poor guy.
Daisy is a technology journalist, covering artificial intelligence, consumer tech, Apple news, cryptocurrency, digital business, and emerging technologies. Since joining the team in 2025, she has reported on everything from AI-powered startups and major iOS updates to viral tech hacks and the latest developments in the digital economy. Drawing on her background in automotive journalism and a degree in History and Journalism from Goldsmiths, University of London, Daisy specializes in breaking down complex technology stories into clear, engaging reporting for a global audience. Her work focuses on the products, platforms, and innovations that are transforming the way people work, communicate, and interact with technology. Daisy has gained first-hand access to some of the world's most talked-about technologies and innovators, including meeting Tesla's Optimus humanoid robot during its first European appearance in London. She has also discussed the future of space exploration with an astronaut, bringing unique insights and real-world perspectives to her coverage of emerging technology.
