A doc fee, or documentation fee, is a dealer charge for preparing and processing the sale paperwork, such as title and registration filings. It's set by the dealer, not the government, and amounts vary a lot. Some states cap doc fees, while others don't. Ask about it upfront and include it when comparing out-the-door prices. OffLot's out-the-door estimate includes an illustrative fee amount so you're not surprised that fees exist.

Typical lease fees include an acquisition fee from the lessor, a dealer documentation fee, title and registration, sales tax as your state requires, and a disposition fee at the end if you return the car. You might also face excess mileage or wear charges and an early termination fee. Ask which fees are government charges and which are dealer fees, and get all of them in writing before signing.

You usually have three options: return the car, buy it for the residual value plus any fees, or trade it toward a new vehicle. If you return it, expect an inspection for excess wear and a check of the mileage, with charges for anything over the limits and possibly a disposition fee. Contact your lessor a few months before the end to schedule the inspection and review your options.

An acquisition fee, sometimes called a bank fee, is charged by the leasing company to set up the lease. It's typically a few hundred dollars to around a thousand, depending on the lessor and vehicle, and it can be paid at signing or rolled into the cap cost. It's usually not negotiable, though dealers sometimes add a markup to it, so it's worth asking whether the amount is the lessor's standard fee.

Sometimes, but often not directly. Many dealers charge the same doc fee to every customer, and in some states they must charge it uniformly, so they may refuse to drop it. The practical approach is to negotiate the total out-the-door price, which lets the dealer lower the vehicle price to offset the fee. If your state caps doc fees, check the cap on your state attorney general or DMV website to confirm you are not being overcharged.

Usually not. The destination charge is set by the manufacturer, printed on the window sticker, and billed to the dealer, so dealers rarely remove it as a separate item. What you can do is negotiate the overall price of the vehicle, which effectively absorbs it. If you see an extra dealer-added transport, prep or freight fee in addition to the manufacturer's destination charge, ask what it covers and whether it can be removed.