Title loans in California
Need cash in California? Your car, truck or motorcycle can back a loan, and you can still drive it every day. Finding out what you could get is free and takes about two minutes.
- Once approved, money in as little as 24 hours
- Loan amounts can reach $50,000
- A low credit score may not hold you back
- Do it all from your phone, start to finish
- No cost and no obligation
- Takes about 2 minutes
- All credit types can apply
Prefer to talk it through? Call (817) 618-3159
The rules for title loans in California
Title lending in California is overseen by the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI). These are the main points of state law.
CACaliforniaTitle loans allowed
- License
California Finance Lenders Law (CFL) license issued by DFPI (no separate title-loan-specific license)
- Rates
Auto title loans are made under the CFL.
Title loans of $2,500 to $9,999.99 fall under the same AB 539 cap as other CFL installment loans (36% plus the federal funds rate).
Title loans of $10,000 or more made under a CFL license are not subject to a statutory rate cap and can carry unlimited interest.
- The law
Cal. Fin. Code Section 22000 et seq. (California Financing Law), as amended by AB 539 (2019)
We wrote this as a plain summary, not legal advice, and last reviewed it in September 2026. Your rate and terms come from your lender, who must stay within California law.
What to check first in California
Look past the monthly payment
Three numbers show what a loan really costs: the APR, the finance charge and the total of payments. If an offer doesn't feel right, you can walk away. And there's no fee for paying it off early.
Make sure the lender is licensed
California requires companies that offer title loans to hold a California Finance Lenders Law license. Before you sign, you can look up the company's license with the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI).
Where to report a problem
If you run into trouble with a lender, report it to the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI). The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau takes complaints too.
Other help you can get
Not sure a title loan is the answer? Talk to a nonprofit credit counselor about a plan for your bills. And 211 can connect you with local programs for food, rent and utility bills.
Four steps, all from your phone
There's no store to visit. You can do every part of it online, wherever you are.
Start your free estimate
Give us the basics: mileage, year, make and model, plus your ZIP code. That's about two minutes of your time, and it's free.
Tip: Have your mileage handy. A newer vehicle with fewer miles tends to qualify for more.
See if your vehicle qualifies
Next, your vehicle's value is worked out from recent market prices. That number is the starting point for what you can borrow.
Upload your documents
Send a photo ID, your vehicle title and proof that you bring in at least $1,500 a month.
Tip: Gather everything before you start. It keeps things moving.
Sign and get your money
Once you're approved, you sign online. Money is sent by wire, check or direct deposit and can arrive in as little as 24 hours.
Disclosure and example of title loan rates & fees
Loan approval depends on meeting the lender's credit criteria, which may include providing acceptable property as collateral. The loan amount, term and Annual Percentage Rate you qualify for may vary. Repayment terms are greater than 90 days and up to 36 months. Loan proceeds are intended primarily for personal, family and household purposes. Minimum loan amounts vary by state. You must be able to demonstrate the ability to repay the loan.
Not every applicant will qualify for the representative examples below, and final rates, terms and fees may vary by lender. If you are offered a loan, you can review the complete offer before accepting it. Providing your information does not guarantee approval. There is no charge to use this website, and Title Loan Hero may receive compensation from lenders and advertisers.
| Number of months | Annual percentage rate The cost of your credit as a yearly rate | Finance charge The dollar amount the credit will cost you | Amount financed The amount of credit provided to you | Monthly payment | Total of payments What you will have paid after all scheduled payments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12shortest term | 35.91% | $536.08 | $2,615.00 | $262.59 | $3,151.08 |
| 24 | 35.90% | $1,087.72 | $2,615.00 | $154.28 | $3,702.72 |
| 36longest term | 35.95% | $1,694.56 | $2,615.00 | $119.71 | $4,309.56 |
| 12 monthsshortest term | 24 months | 36 monthslongest term |
|---|---|---|
| Annual percentage rate (APR) | ||
| 35.91% | 35.90% | 35.95% |
| Finance charge | ||
| $536.08 | $1,087.72 | $1,694.56 |
| Amount financed | ||
| $2,615.00 | $2,615.00 | $2,615.00 |
| Monthly payment | ||
| $262.59 | $154.28 | $119.71 |
| Total of payments | ||
| $3,151.08 | $3,702.72 | $4,309.56 |
Disclaimers
- There are no penalties for making additional payments or paying the loan off early.
- APR is calculated assuming all installment periods are of equal length.
- Additional fees: Lien fee of $15.00 is financed.
- Additional fees: Prepaid documentation fee is $75.00 for loans up to $4,999, or 5% for loans of $5,000 or more.
- Lenders may use the FICO scoring method when credit score is a factor in determining creditworthiness.
- Maximum APR: 35.95%
Your free estimate takes about two minutes
It costs nothing, and you don't have to take any offer.