A complete state-by-state breakdown of vehicle registration fees and taxes to help car buyers and owners budget smarter.

Navigating the Complex Landscape of Vehicle Registration Costs

Purchasing a vehicle in the United States involves more than just the initial price tag. Each state imposes its own set of registration fees, sales taxes, and additional charges, which can significantly impact the overall cost of ownership. Understanding these state-specific fees is crucial for budgeting and making informed decisions, whether you’re buying a new car, relocating, or renewing your registration.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve into the vehicle registration fees and taxes across all 50 states, providing you with the information needed to navigate this complex landscape.

Understanding Vehicle Registration Fees and Taxes

Before we explore the specifics for each state, it’s essential to grasp the common types of fees and taxes associated with vehicle registration:

• Registration Fees: These are mandatory fees paid to your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to legally operate your vehicle. The structure of these fees varies by state and can be based on factors such as vehicle weight, age, or value.
• Sales Tax: Most states impose a sales tax on the purchase price of a vehicle. The rate and applicability can vary, with some states offering exemptions or reduced rates under specific conditions.
• Additional Taxes and Fees: Depending on the state, there may be extra charges such as personal property taxes, emission testing fees, or special fees for electric and hybrid vehicles.

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State-by-State Breakdown of Vehicle Registration Fees and Taxes

Below is a detailed overview of vehicle registration fees and taxes for each state. Please note that these figures are subject to change, and it’s advisable to consult your state’s DMV or official resources for the most current information.

Alabama (AL)

• Registration Fee: $15 to $23, plus an additional $50 annually.
• Sales Tax: 2% state tax, with potential additional local taxes.
• Additional Fees: $23 for new registrations; $1.25 for transfers.

Alaska (AK)

• Registration Fee: $100 for most passenger vehicles.
• Sales Tax: No state sales tax; however, local sales taxes may apply.
• Additional Fees: Emission testing may be required in certain areas.

Arizona (AZ)

• Registration Fee: $8, plus a Vehicle License Tax (VLT) based on a percentage of the car’s assessed value.
• Sales Tax: 5.6% state tax, with additional local taxes.
• Additional Fees: A $32 Public Safety Fee is applied.

Arkansas (AR)

• Registration Fee: $17 to $30, depending on vehicle weight.
• Sales Tax: 6.5% state tax, plus potential local taxes.
• Additional Fees: A $2.50 decal fee and a 50-cent lien filing fee.

California (CA)

• Registration Fee: Starts at $60, with the total cost varying based on the car’s value.
• Sales Tax: 7.25% state tax, with local taxes potentially increasing the rate.
• Additional Fees: Weight fees for heavier vehicles and special fees for electric vehicles.

Colorado (CO)

• Registration Fee: Based on vehicle weight and age, ranging from $3 to several hundred dollars.
• Sales Tax: 2.9% state tax, plus local taxes.
• Additional Fees: Personal property tax may apply.

Connecticut (CT)

• Registration Fee: $120 for two years.
• Sales Tax: 6.35%.
• Additional Fees: Property tax on vehicle value and mandatory emissions testing.

Delaware (DE)

• Registration Fee: $40 per year.
• Sales Tax: No state sales tax; however, a document fee of 4.25% is applied to vehicle purchases.
• Additional Fees: None specified.

Florida (FL)

• Registration Fee: $14.50 to $32.50, depending on vehicle weight.
• Sales Tax: 6%, plus local taxes.
• Additional Fees: A new vehicle registration incurs a $225 fee.

Georgia (GA)

• Registration Fee: $20.
• Sales Tax: 4% state tax, with a Title Ad Valorem Tax at 6.6%.
• Additional Fees: An annual Ad Valorem tax applies to older vehicles.

Hawaii (HI)

• Registration Fee: Based on weight, averaging $45 to $300 per year.
• Sales Tax: 4%.
• Additional Fees: County taxes may apply.

Idaho (ID)

• Registration Fee: $45 to $69, depending on vehicle age.
• Sales Tax: 6%.
• Additional Fees: Special fees for electric and hybrid vehicles.

Illinois (IL)

• Registration Fee: $151.
• Sales Tax: 6.25%, plus local taxes.
• Additional Fees: An electric vehicle registration fee of $100.

Indiana (IN)

• Registration Fee: $21.35.
• Sales Tax: 7%.
• Additional Fees:
  • Transportation Infrastructure Improvement Fee: $15.
  • Vehicle Excise Tax: Based on vehicle value and age.
  • County and Municipal Vehicle Excise Tax (Wheel Tax): Varies by county.
  • Hybrid Vehicle Fee: $77.
  • Electric Vehicle Fee: $230.
  • Late Registration Penalty: $15.
  • Special Plate Fees: Vary based on design and customization.

Iowa (IA)

• Registration Fee: Based on vehicle weight and value (ranges from $50 to several hundred dollars).
• Sales Tax: 5% state tax, plus local taxes.
• Additional Fees: County vehicle taxes may apply.

Kansas (KS)

• Registration Fee: $42 to $56, plus additional county fees.
• Sales Tax: 6.5% state tax, plus local taxes.
• Additional Fees: Property tax applies based on vehicle value.

Kentucky (KY)

• Registration Fee: $21.
• Sales Tax: 6% state tax.
• Additional Fees: Annual personal property tax applies.

Louisiana (LA)

• Registration Fee: $20 to $82, based on car value and age.
• Sales Tax: 4.45% state tax, plus local taxes.
• Additional Fees: Vehicle title fees apply.

Maine (ME)

• Registration Fee: $35 to $55, plus excise tax based on car value.
• Sales Tax: 5.5%.
• Additional Fees: Personal property tax may apply.

Maryland (MD)

• Registration Fee: $135 to $187, based on vehicle weight.
• Sales Tax: 6%.
• Additional Fees: Annual emissions testing fee.

Massachusetts (MA)

• Registration Fee: $60 for two years.
• Sales Tax: 6.25%.
• Additional Fees: Excise tax applies to vehicle owners.

Michigan (MI)

• Registration Fee: Based on MSRP and vehicle age ($46 to several hundred dollars).
• Sales Tax: 6%.
• Additional Fees: Wheel tax may apply in some counties.

Minnesota (MN)

• Registration Fee: Based on MSRP and vehicle age ($35+).
• Sales Tax: 6.5%.
• Additional Fees: Personal property tax applies.

Mississippi (MS)

• Registration Fee: $14, plus county fees.
• Sales Tax: 5%.
• Additional Fees: Ad valorem tax on car value.

Missouri (MO)

• Registration Fee: $18.25 to $51.25, based on horsepower.
• Sales Tax: 4.225%, plus local taxes.
• Additional Fees: Personal property tax applies.

Montana (MT)

• Registration Fee: $28 to $217, depending on vehicle age.
• Sales Tax: No state sales tax.
• Additional Fees: Permanent registration available for vehicles over 11 years old.

Nebraska (NE)

• Registration Fee: $15, plus excise tax based on car value.
• Sales Tax: 5.5%.
• Additional Fees: Personal property tax applies.

Nevada (NV)

• Registration Fee: Based on vehicle value, starting at $33.
• Sales Tax: 6.85%, plus local taxes.
• Additional Fees: Government services tax applies.

New Hampshire (NH)

• Registration Fee: Based on vehicle weight and value, ranging from $31 to hundreds of dollars.
• Sales Tax: No state sales tax.
• Additional Fees: Excise tax applies.

New Jersey (NJ)

• Registration Fee: $35 to $84, based on vehicle age and weight.
• Sales Tax: 6.625%.
• Additional Fees: Emission testing fees apply.

New Mexico (NM)

• Registration Fee: $27 to $62, based on vehicle weight and age.
• Sales Tax: 4%.
• Additional Fees: Excise tax applies.

New York (NY)

• Registration Fee: $26 to $140, based on vehicle weight.
• Sales Tax: 4%, plus local taxes.
• Additional Fees: Vehicle use tax applies in some counties.

North Carolina (NC)

• Registration Fee: $38.75.
• Sales Tax: 3%.
• Additional Fees: Personal property tax applies.

North Dakota (ND)

• Registration Fee: $49 to $274, based on vehicle age and weight.
• Sales Tax: 5%.
• Additional Fees: None specified.

Ohio (OH)

• Registration Fee: $31.
• Sales Tax: 5.75%, plus local taxes.
• Additional Fees: Emissions testing in certain areas.

Oklahoma (OK)

• Registration Fee: $26 to $96, based on car age.
• Sales Tax: 3.25%.
• Additional Fees: Excise tax applies.

Oregon (OR)

• Registration Fee: $122 to $172 for two years.
• Sales Tax: No state sales tax.
• Additional Fees: Special EV and hybrid fees apply.

Pennsylvania (PA)

• Registration Fee: $39.
• Sales Tax: 6%.
• Additional Fees: Local fees may apply.

Rhode Island (RI)

• Registration Fee: $30 to $60 per year.
• Sales Tax: 7%.
• Additional Fees: Personal property tax applies.

South Carolina (SC)

• Registration Fee: $40.
• Sales Tax: 5%.
• Additional Fees: Infrastructure maintenance fee applies.

South Dakota (SD)

• Registration Fee: Based on vehicle age and weight ($36 to $144).
• Sales Tax: 4%.
• Additional Fees: Excise tax applies.

Tennessee (TN)

• Registration Fee: $29.
• Sales Tax: 7%.
• Additional Fees: County wheel tax may apply.

Texas (TX)

• Registration Fee: $50.75.
• Sales Tax: 6.25%.
• Additional Fees: Title fees apply.

Utah (UT)

• Registration Fee: $44 to $71, based on vehicle age.
• Sales Tax: 4.85%, plus local taxes.
• Additional Fees: Special fees for hybrid and EVs.

Vermont (VT)

• Registration Fee: $76 per year.
• Sales Tax: 6%.
• Additional Fees: Emissions testing required.

Virginia (VA)

• Registration Fee: $40 to $50, based on vehicle weight.
• Sales Tax: 4.15%.
• Additional Fees: Personal property tax applies.

Washington (WA)

• Registration Fee: $43, plus local fees.
• Sales Tax: 6.5%, plus local taxes.
• Additional Fees: Special road use fees apply.

West Virginia (WV)

• Registration Fee: $51.50.
• Sales Tax: 6%.
• Additional Fees: Personal property tax applies.

Wisconsin (WI)

• Registration Fee: $85.
• Sales Tax: 5%.
• Additional Fees: Special hybrid and EV fees apply.

Wyoming (WY)

• Registration Fee: $30, plus county fees.
• Sales Tax: 4%.
• Additional Fees: Personal property tax applies.

Understanding Your State’s Fees Can Save You Money

Vehicle registration fees and taxes vary widely across the United States. While some states, like Montana, Oregon, and New Hampshire, offer low fees and no sales tax, others, such as California, Illinois, and New York, impose higher costs.

By staying informed about your state’s vehicle-related expenses, you can better plan for registration, tax obligations, and potential exemptions to save money over time.