Vehicle title, taxes, registration fees – Car Insurance Rates by State
Learn about the extra costs that come with buying a vehicle. Browse our guide to registration fees, vehicle purchases, and car insurance rates.
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The purchase of a vehicle is an opportunity to generate profits for the state government. This is why you will always pay more than the item’s base price, whether it is a new or used vehicle.
On one side, there are the basic DMV fees that really don’t amount to much. This includes registration, license plate, and title fees. Then there are the car dealer’s own fees. Additionally, there are taxes for the car sale, including private sales. To top it off, some states charge an additional tax that may be called a personal property tax, wheelage tax, excise tax, privilege tax, use fee, or it may even be fancy called an “ad valorem tax.”
Please note that proof of auto insurance is required to register your car in many states. If you want to find dirt cheap car insurance coverage, we can help you find the lowest rates. Let’s see below what costs should be considered when buying a vehicle, whether new or used.
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Typical Costs to Consider When Buying a Vehicle
- Registration Fee – To register your car under your name, your state will charge you a certain amount. Some states will charge a fee that is the same in all cases, while other states base the fee calculation on the vehicle’s age, weight, or value. Also, in case of late registration, several states charge additional fees. Please note that it is possible to get a vehicle registration tax deduction.
- License Plate Fee – This fee may be included in your registration fee but may also be billed separately. In some states, new cars are required to have brand-new plates, while in others, you can transfer license plates from your old vehicle to the new one.
- Title Transfer Fee – The title is the legal document that proves you own the car. At the time you purchase a car, you will need to have the title transferred from the previous owner or dealer.
- Documentation Fee – During the purchase of a vehicle, car dealers will do all the paperwork, and they usually charge their own fees for this process. Some, however, states cap these fees.
- Lien Registration Fee – Your state DMV may charge you to record the lien on the car title in case there is a lien on your vehicle (also known as a loan).
- Car Insurance – The cost of car insurance depends on many factors, including the state where you live. This is why the average price will differ and vary significantly from state to state. Other factors that will influence the cost of your premium will be the type of vehicle, your age, driving record, ZIP code, the amount of coverage, and the deductible you choose. It’s a good idea to get multiple quotes to find the best possible coverage for the lowest price. With Direct
Auto Insurance, you can get fast and free quotes just by entering your zip code below.FREE Auto Insurance Comparison
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption - Sales Tax – Almost every state imposes a sales tax on vehicles. In the table below, you can see the tax rates by state. Please note that there may be sales taxes added by your city or county government.
- Personal Property Tax – This is an annual tax on the value of your vehicle that is required in some states. The vehicle property tax for each state is also listed in the table below.
- Emissions/Inspection Fees – Most states require emissions testing and general vehicle inspection after purchase.
- Hybrid/Electric Vehicle Fees – Owners of hybrid and electric cars pay virtually no fuel taxes. This is why they pay extra fees imposed by the states for this type of vehicle.
Vehicle Insurance, Registration Fees, and Other Costs by State
A few notes: Keep in mind that states charge different rates for trucks, RVs, vintage cars, and others. That’s why the car registration fees below are for passenger vehicles only. The numbers we found are current as of mid-2023 but need to be verified more recently with your state DMV.
| State | Registration Fee | License Plate Fee | Title Fee | Documentation Fees | Average Insurance Cost | Vehicle Sales Tax | Personal Property Tax / Vehicle License Fee | Emissions Inspection / Air Quality | Other fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $15-$23 + $50 annually | $23 + $1.25 transfer | $18 | No limit | $723 | 2% | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Alaska | 100 | $5 transfer | $15 | no limit (must be included in vehicle price) | $872 | N/A | N/A | N/A | $15 lien recording |
| Arizona | $8 + $32 Public Safety Fee | $12 transfer | $4 (for new vehicles) | No limit | $844 | 5.6% | $2.80 - new vehicles $2.89 - used vehicles for each $100 of the assesed value | $1.5 | N/A |
| Arkansas | $17-$30 | $1 transfer | $10 | $129 cap | $736 | 6.5% | Varies by county | N/A | >>$2.50 decal fee >>50-cent lien filing fee >>extra $100 annual fee for hybrid vehicles registration >>$200 for an EV |
| California | $64 plus extra fees (including CHP and Transportation Improvement) | $23 | $23 | $80 cap | $841 | 7.5% | .65% of car value (decreasing over time) | $8 smog transfer fee | >>$27 CHP fee >>$100 EV fee |
| Colorado | weight-based | $25 | $7.2 | No limit | $857 | 2.9% | 3-2.1% of value (based on vehicle age) | $$15-$25 emissions test fee | >>$50 annual fee for plug-in vehicles |
| Connecticut | $120 - new registration $80 - renew for two years | $5 | $25 | No limit | $1049 | 6.35%-7.75% | Based on 70% of retail value | $10 clean air fee $40 Emissions Exemption fee | >>$10 admin fee >>$10 parks fee >>$10 lien fee >>$15 parks fee >>$40 Emissions Exemption fee >>$10 Greenhouse Gas fee |
| Delaware | $40 | N/A | $35 | 4.25% of the greater value between the purchase price and NADA book value | $1146 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Florida | >>$14.50-$32.50 >>$225 - new vehicle fee | >>$28 - new plates >>$7.35 transfer | $75.25-$85.25 | No limit | $1185 | 6% | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Georgia | $20 | N/A | $18 | No limit | $897 | >>6.6% title ad valorem tax (TAVT) >>3% for new Georgia residents | Annual ad valorem tax for vehicles purchased before 3/12/13 | $25 emissions inspection (in Atlanta area) | $200 annual alternative-fuel fee |
| Hawaii | Weight-based ($12 minimum) | $5 | $5 | No limit | $765 | 4.166% to 4.712% | Based on vehicle weight | N/A | >>$1 beautification fee >>50-cent emblem renewal |
| Idaho | $45-$69 depending on vehicle age | N/A | $14 | No limit | $574 | 6% of car value or purchase price | N/A | $11 emissions inspection (Kuna and Canyon County) | >>$140 annual EV fee >>$75 plug-in hybrid fee >>$5 VIN inspection |
| Illinois | $151 | N/A | $150 | $300 | $804 | 6.25% and up | N/A | N/A | $251 annual EV fee |
| Indiana | $21.35 | $9.5 | $15 | No limit | $666 | 7% | N/A | N/A | >>$15 - Transportation Infrastructure Improvement Fee >>$12-$532 - Excise tax >>$150 EV fee >>$50 hybrid fee |
| Iowa | Up to 1% of list price (depending on age) plus $0.40 per hundred pounds of car weight | N/A | $25 for replacement | No limit | $666 | N/A | N/A | N/A | >>$65 annual EV fee >>$32.50 annual plug-in hybrid fee (both rise each year) |
| Kansas | $39-$49(depending on the county) | N/A | $10 | No limit | $698 | 7.5% and up | Varies by county | N/A | $20 inspection fee for new title |
| Kentucky | $21 | N/A | $6 | No limit | $802 | 6% | 45 cents per $100 of value | N/A | $22 lien filing fee |
| Louisiana | $20-$82 (depending on vehicle value) | $3 transfer | $68.5 | $200 cap | $1232 | 4% | N/A | N/A | Use taxes set by parish/county |
| Maine | $35 | N/A | $33 | No limit | $618 | 5.5% | Annual excise tax (depends on vehicle age) | N/A | N/A |
| Maryland | $135-$187 (depending on weight) for two years | $10 transfer | $100 | $300 cap | $1017 | 6% | N/A | $14 emissions inspection | $14.50 annual EMS fee |
| Massachusetts | $60 for two years | >>$25 transfer >>$10 replacement | $75 | No limit | $1059 | 6.25% | $25 per $1000 of excise value | $35 emissions inspection | |
| Michigan | Based on vehicle value or weight (depending on age) | $5 | $15 | $220 cap (can’t exceed 5% of vehicle price) | $1231 | 6% | N/A | N/A | >>$135-$235 annual EV fee >>$47.50-$117.50 hybrid fee |
| Minnesota | $35 and up, based on vehicle value | $8 (double plates) | $20.50 (with tax and technology surcharge) | $125 | $788 | 6.5% | N/A | N/A | >>$10 and up wheelage tax >>$75 annual EV fee |
| Mississippi | >>$12.75 - renewals >>$14 - first time registrations | N/A | $9 | No limit | $827 | 5% | Ad valorem taxes (based on car value and county) | N/A | >>$150 EV fee >>$75 hybrid fee |
| Missouri | $18.75 and up (based on taxable horsepower) + processing fee of $6-12 | N/A | $8.5 | No limit | $745 | 4.225% | N/A | $24 (St. Louis area) | >>$75 annual fee for alt-fuel vehicles >>$37.50 for plug-in hybrids |
| Montana | $30.57-$225.24 (based on vehicle age) plus a 3% fee | 10.3 | $10.3 | No limit | $693 | None | N/A | N/A | >>County option tax based on car value >>$10 Montana Highway Patrol fee |
| Nebraska | $15 (+ $5.50 in additional fees) | $3.30 per plate | $10 | No limit | $682 | 5.5.% | Mootor Vehicle Tax (based on vehicle value) | N/A | >>$5-$30 motor vehicle fee >>$75 alt-fuel fee >>$7 lien fee |
| Nevada | $33 | $8 | $28.25 | No limit | $985 | 8.1% | Governmental Services Tax (based on car value) | $50-$79 | Supplemental Govermental Services Tax (based on car value) |
| New Hampshire | $31.20 and up (based on weight and type) plus $10 transfer fee plus local fees | $8 +$15 - new registration fee | $25 | No limit | $775 | none | N/A | Included in inspection cost | Local fees (based on vehicle age and value) |
| New Jersey | $35.50-$84 based on weight and age of vehicle | $6 | $60 or $85 with lien | No limit | $1266 | 6.625% | N/A | No charge | N/A |
| New Mexico | $27-$62 (based on vehicle age and weight) | N/A | Included ($5) | No limit | $763 | 4% | N/A | $15-$25 (Bernalillo County) | N/A |
| New York | $26-$140 (based on weight) for 2 years | $25 | $50 | $75 cap | $1235 | 4% | N/A | $11-$27 | Vehicle use tax/MCTD fees (NYC and some counties) |
| North Carolina | $38.75 | $21.50 to transfer | $56 | No limit | $655 | Highway use tax of 3% of car value (max. $250 for new vehicles) | Vehicle Property Tax (based on car value and locality) | $16.40 for some vehicles/counties | $130 EVE fee Regional transportation tax (in some counties) |
| North Dakota | $49-$274 based on age and weight | $5 transfer | $5 | No limit | $638 | N/A | N/A | 5% | N/A |
| Ohio | $31 | >>$6 transfer >>$13.25 replacement | $15 | $250 or 10% of the sales contract price (whichever is less) | $703 | 5.75% | N/A | No charge | >>$100 annual fee for hyrid vehicles >>$200 fee for EV >>$5 permissive tax in some counties |
| Oklahoma | $96 - new registration (decrease over time) | N/A | $11 plus $17 transfer fee | No limit | $824 | 1.25% | N/A | N/A | >>Excise tax of 3.25% for new cars >>$20 on the 1st $1,500 of value + 3.25% of the remainder (for used cars, ) >>$10 lien processing fee |
| Oregon | $122-$152 (depending on vehicle model, year, and MPG) | $24.50 + $6 transfer | $98-$113 (depending on vehicle model, year, and MPG) | $115-$150 max | $828 | 0.5% privilege tax on new car purchases | N/A | $10 (Medford only) $21 (Portland only) | $110 annual fee for plug-in hybrid cars |
| Pennsylvania | $39 | N/A | $55 | $120-$144 | $878 | >>7% - residents of Allegheny Count >>8% - Philadelphia residents >>6% - The rest | N/A | Included in inspection cost | $26 lien fee |
| Rhode Island | $30 for up to 4000lbs (increases based on weight) + $15 surcharge | $8 | $52.5 | No limit | $1148 | 7% | Excise tax (based on car value) | Included in $55 inspectionn cost | N/A |
| South Carolina | $40 | N/A | $15 | No limit | $854 | 5% Infrastructure Maintenance Fee ($500 max) | Annual personal property tax based on vehicle value | N/A | >>$46-$116 Gross Vehicle Weight Fee >>$250 infrastructure fee (if transferring registration) >>$60 biennial hybrid fee >>$120 biennial EV fee |
| South Dakota | $36-144 (based on weight) | $5 transfer | $10 | No limit | $616 | 4% | N/A | N/A | Wheel tax (varies by county) |
| Tennessee | $26.5 | N/A | $95 (includes plate fee) | N/A | $738 | 7% | N/A | $9 | $100 annual EV fee wheel tax (varies by county) |
| Texas | $51.75 + local fees | N/A | $28-33 (Varies by County) | If over $150 dealer must notify the state | $934 | 6.25% - new vehicles | N/A | Varies by County | $90 tax when moving to Texas |
| Utah | $44 - up to 12k pounds $69.50 - over 12k pounds + $19 for each 2k pounds over 14k | N/A | $6 | No limit | $784 | Depending on the city | Uniform fee due annually (based on vehicle age) | $20-$30 | Hybrid and EV fees (increase each year) |
| Vermont | >>$76 for 1 year >>$140 for 2 years | N/A | $35 | No limit | $680 | 6% | N/A | Varies by city | N/A |
| Virginia | >>$30.75 - less than 4,000 pounds >>$35.75 - over 4,000 pounds | N/A | $15 | No limit | $751 | 4.15% of sales price with a minimum charge of $75 | Personal property tax set by localities | $28 max | $64 annual EV fee |
| Washington | $68.25-115.25 (based on vehicle weight) | $10 per plate | $15 | $150 | $884 | Varies by county + 0.3% motor vehicle sales/use tax | N/A | $15 | >>$75 hybrid fee >>$150 annual EV fee |
| Washington D.C. | $72-$155 (based on vehicle weight) | $12 transfer | $26 | No limit | $1190 | 6%-8% excise tax based on weight (Some vehicles may be exempted) | N/A | $10 | N/A |
| West Virginia | $51.5 | $10 replacement | $15 | No limit | $855 | 6% titling sales tax on vehicles over $500 | Personal property tax set by localities | N/A | >>$200 annual EV fee >>$100 plug-in hybrid fee >>$10 lien fee |
| Wisconsin | $85 | $4 | $164.5 | No limit | $665 | 5% | N/A | No charge | >>$10-$30 wheel tax (varies by county) >>$100 annual EV fee >>$75 hybrid fee |
| Wyoming | $30+ (varies by county) | N/A | $15 | No limit | $657 | 4% | N/A | N/A | $200 EV fee |
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