WASHINGTON, D.C. – On October 6, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed the California CARS Act (SB 766), along with several other bills aimed at lowering costs for Californians struggling under the weight of an affordability crisis. The CA CARS Act, partly modeled after the Federal Trade Commission’s CARS Rule, requires car dealers to tell buyers the total price of the car up front, bans the sale of worthless add-ons, and it includes a first-of-its-kind three day cooling off period for used car buyers. Senator Ben Allen (D-24) introduced the bill as a way to make buying a car more affordable and less risky in California.

“We applaud Governor Newsom and Senator Allen on this landmark achievement to make the process of buying a car less painful for buyers and more competitive for honest dealers,” said Erin Witte, Director of Consumer Protection at Consumer Federation of America. “Everyone who has wasted hours of their life negotiating with a car dealer over endless fees and dishonest pricing can see exactly why this Act is needed, and we urge other states to follow suit and pass legislation to lower costs for car buyers.”