DMVCosts

Cookie Policy

What we store in your browser, why, and how to manage or clear it.

Last updated: July 1, 2026

Cookies vs. localStorage - What's the Difference?

Cookies are small text files that websites place on your device; they are sent to the server with every request and are commonly used for tracking and preferences. localStorage is a separate browser storage area that stays entirely on your device - it is never automatically sent to any server.

DMVCosts itself sets no cookies at all. The core service works purely with localStorage: an anonymous visitor ID and (if you interact with the notification prompt) a small preference flag. What you type into the calculators is stored nowhere- it lives only in the page while it is open. The only cookies you may encounter come from Google Analytics, Google AdSense (when ads are enabled), and Google's consent management - all described below.

Types of Cookies & Storage We Use

1. Essential storage (no cookies)

These are necessary for the service to function and involve no tracking:

  • Anonymous visitor ID: a random UUID (key uuid) used together with your IP address solely to protect the site from automated abuse. It contains no personal information.
  • Notification prompt preference: a small flag (key pushPromptState) that remembers whether you accepted or dismissed the push-notification prompt, so we don't nag you again.
  • Push subscription (opt-in): if you enable notifications, your browser stores a subscription endpoint that is shared with our server only to deliver the notifications you asked for.

Duration: localStorage entries persist until you clear your browser data or site data for this website.

2. Analytics cookies (Google Analytics)

Governed by Google Consent Mode v2 - non-personalized by default until you consent.

We use Google Analytics to understand how visitors use DMVCosts: pages visited, time on page, browser and device type, traffic sources, and general location (country/city level). Typical cookies: _ga, _ga_*.

Opt-out: Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on

3. Advertising cookies (Google AdSense)

Only present when ads are enabled on the site, and personalized only after consent where required by law.

Advertising keeps DMVCosts free. When ads are enabled, Google AdSense and its partners may use cookies (such as __gads and __gpi) to serve ads, limit repetition, and measure performance.

Opt-out: Google Ads Settings

Consent Management

We use Google Consent Mode v2 together with Google's consent management platform (Funding Choices). When you first visit:

Default: non-essential cookies blocked

Analytics runs in non-personalized, cookieless-ping mode and no advertising cookies are set until you actively consent.

Region-specific notices

Visitors in the EEA/UK see a GDPR consent dialog with granular choices. Visitors in the United States see a notice compliant with state privacy laws (CCPA/CPRA). Other visitors may see a general notice.

Changing your preferences

You can reset your consent choices at any time by clearing your browser cookies for this site and revisiting - the consent dialog will appear again.

How to Manage or Clear Cookies & Storage

Most browsers let you view, block, and delete cookies and site data (including localStorage) in their settings. Clearing site data for dmvcosts.com removes the anonymous visitor ID and the notification-prompt preference - nothing else of yours is stored, so nothing else is lost.

Additional opt-outs: Your Online Choices (EU) and Network Advertising Initiative (US).

Changes to This Cookie Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or for operational, legal, or regulatory reasons. Please revisit this page periodically. For the bigger picture, see our Privacy Policy.

Detailed Cookie & Storage List

NamePurposeTypeDuration
uuid (localStorage)Anonymous visitor identifier used solely for abuse preventionEssentialPersistent
pushPromptState (localStorage)Remembers whether you accepted or dismissed the notification prompt, so we don't ask againEssentialPersistent
Push subscription (browser-managed)Browser-issued endpoint shared with us only if you opt in to push notificationsOptionalUntil revoked
_gaGoogle Analytics - distinguishes visitorsAnalytics2 years
_ga_* Google Analytics - keeps session stateAnalytics2 years
__gads / __gpiGoogle AdSense - ad delivery and measurement (only when ads are enabled)Advertising13 months
FCNEC / FCCDCFGoogle Funding Choices - stores your consent decisionsEssentialUp to 1 year

Questions about cookies?

If you have any questions about this Cookie Policy or our use of browser storage, contact us at [email protected].