When you buy a car, there are a number of fees that are typically required in order to complete the purchase. These fees, known as tax, title, and license fees (TTL), can vary significantly from one state to another.
You don’t always have to pay the tax, title, and license fees out of pocket during the purchase of a vehicle, but it’s still important to know what to expect and accommodate for that in your budget.
How Much are Tax, Title, and License Fees?
In general, tax fees are based on the purchase price of the vehicle and the tax rate in the state where the purchase takes place, while title and license fees are based on the weight and type of vehicle. In some states, there may also be additional fees, such as a registration fee or an emissions inspection fee.
The amount you’ll have to pay can also vary greatly depending on if you’re buying a new or used car. In some cases, tax, title, and license fees can add up to several thousand dollars. However, these fees are generally tax deductible, so it is important to keep track of them when you file your taxes.
Estimating TTL Fees
When estimating TTL fees, a great start is calculating your estimated tax. This will likely be the largest portion of these fees.
If you want a quick way of padding your budget, calculate your tax and add a couple hundred dollars for registration and other fees.
Tax, Title, and License Fees (TTL) Calculator
Input the following information as accurately as possible to calculate your estimated TTL fees. Search the table below if you’re unsure of any fees or rates in your state.
Please note that these are only estimates and the actual cost will likely vary when you go to purchase the vehicle. Discussing these costs with your dealer or DMV is important to get the most accurate information.
Vehicle Fees by State
Search for the state where you plan to purchase a vehicle to find the estimated registration fee. [1]
| State | State Vehicle Sales Tax | Title Fee | License Plate Fee | Registration Fee | Air Quality / Emissions Inspection |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 2% | $18 | $23 and $1.25 transfer | $15-$23 + $50 annually | N/A |
| Alaska | N/A | $15 | $5 transfer | $100 | N/A |
| Arizona | 5.60% | $4 (for new vehicles) | $12 transfer | $8 + $32 Public Safety Fee | $1.50 |
| Arkansas | 6.50% | $10 | $1 transfer | $17-$30 | N/A |
| California | 7.50% | $23 | $23 | $64 plus extra fees like CHP and Transportation Improvement | $8 smog transfer fee |
| Colorado | 2.90% | $7.20 | $25 | Based on weight | $$15-$25 emissions test fee |
| Connecticut | 6.35%-7.75% | $25 | $5 | $120 for a new registration, $80 to renew for two years | $10 clean air fee;$40 Emissions Exemption fee |
| Delaware | N/A | $35 | N/A | $40 | N/A |
| Florida | 6% | $75.25-$85.25 | $28 for new plates; $7.35 transfer | $14.50-$32.50; $225 for new vehicle fee | N/A |
| Georgia | 6.6% title ad valorem tax (TAVT); 3% for new Georgia residents | $18 | N/A | $20 | $25 emissions inspection in Atlanta area |
| Hawaii | 4.166% to 4.712% | $5 | $5 | Based on weight ($12 minimum) | N/A |
| Idaho | 6% of value or purchase price | $14 | N/A | $45-$69, depending on vehicle age | $11 emissions inspection (Kuna and Canyon County) |
| Illinois | 6.25% and up | $150 | N/A | $151 | N/A |
| Indiana | 7% | $15 | $9.50 | $21.35 | N/A |
| Iowa | N/A | $25 for replacement | N/A | Up to 1% of list price, depending on age; plus $0.40 per hundred pounds of vehicle weight | N/A |
| Kansas | 7.5% and up | $10 | N/A | $39-$49(depends on county) | N/A |
| Kentucky | 6% | $6 | N/A | $21 | N/A |
| Louisiana | 4% | $68.50 | $3 transfer | $20-$82 depending on value | N/A |
| Maine | 5.50% | $33 | N/A | $35 | N/A |
| Maryland | 6% | $100 | $10 transfer | $135-$187 (depending on weight) for two years | $14 emissions inspection |
| Massachusetts | 6.25% | $75 | $25 transfer; $10 replacement | $60 for two years | $35 emissions/inspection fee |
| Michigan | 6% | $15 | $5 | Based on vehicle value or weight depending on age | N/A |
| Minnesota | 6.50% | $20.50 (with tax and technology surcharge) | $8 (double plates) | $35 and up, based on vehicle value | N/A |
| Mississippi | 5% | $9 | N/A | $12.75 for renewals, $14 for first time registrations | N/A |
| Missouri | 4.23% | $8.50 | N/A | $18.75 and up (based on taxable horsepower) plus processing fee of $6-12 | $24 (St. Louis area only) |
| Montana | None | $10.30 | $10.30 | $30.57-$225.24, based on vehicle age, plus a 3% fee | N/A |
| Nebraska | 5.5.% | $10 | $3.30 per plate | $15 (+ $5.50 in additional fees) | N/A |
| Nevada | 8.10% | $28.25 | $8 | $33 | $50-$79 |
| New Hampshire | none | $25 | $8 +$15 new registration fee | $31.20 and up based on type and weight plus $10 transfer fee plus local fees | Included in inspection cost |
| New Jersey | 6.63% | $60 or $85 with lien | $6 | $35.50-$84 based on weight and age of vehicle | No charge |
| New Mexico | 4% | Included ($5) | N/A | $27-$62 based on weight and age of vehicle | $15-$25 (Bernalillo County only) |
| New York | 4% | $50 | $25 | $26-$140 (based on weight) for 2 years | $11-$27 |
| North Carolina | Highway use tax of 3% of vehicle value (max. $250 for new) | $56 | $21.50 to transfer | $38.75 | $16.40 for some vehicles/counties |
| North Dakota | N/A | $5 | $5 transfer | $49-$274 based on age and weight | 5% |
| Ohio | 5.75% | $15 | $6 transfer; $13.25 replacement | $31 | No charge |
| Oklahoma | 1.25% | $11 plus $17 transfer fee | N/A | $96 for a new registration; decrease over time | N/A |
| Oregon | 0.5% privilege tax on new vehicle purchases | $98-$113 depending on model year and MPG | $24.50, $6 to transfer | $122-$152 depending on model year and MPG | $10 in Medford, $21 in Portland |
| Pennsylvania | 6% (7% for residents of Allegheny Count and 8% for Philadelphia residents) | $55 | N/A | $39 | Included in inspection cost |
| Rhode Island | 7% | $52.50 | $8 | $30 for up to 4000lbs (increases based on weight) + $15 surcharge | Included in $55 inspectionn cost |
| South Carolina | 5% Infrastructure Maintenance Fee ($500 max) | $15 | N/A | $40 | N/A |
| South Dakota | 4% | $10 | $5 transfer | $36-144 based on weight | N/A |
| Tennessee | 7% | $95 (includes plate fee) | N/A | $26.50 | $9 |
| Texas | 6.25% on new vehicles | $28-33 (Varies by County | N/A | $51.75 plus local fees | Varies by County |
| Utah | Varies by city | $6 | N/A | $44 for up to 12k pounds; $69.50 for over 12k pounds + $19 for each 2k pounds over 14k | Usually $20-$30 |
| Vermont | 6% | $35 | N/A | $76 for 1 year; $140 for 2 years | Varies by city |
| Virginia | 4.15% of sales price, minimum charge $75 | $15 | N/A | $30.75 for less than 4,000 pounds; $35.75 for over 4,000 pounds | $28 max |
| Washington | Varies by county, plus 0.3% motor vehicle sales/use tax | $15 | $10 per plate | $68.25-115.25 based on weight | $15 |
| Washington D.C. | 6-8% excise tax based on weight. Some vehicles may be exempted. | $26 | $12 transfer | $72-$155 based on weight | $10 |
| West Virginia | 6% titling sales tax on vehicles over $500 | $15 | $10 replacement | $51.50 | N/A |
| Wisconsin | 5% | $164.50 | $4 | $85 | No charge |
| Wyoming | 4% | $15 | N/A | $30+ (varies by county) | N/A |
When Do You Pay Tax, Title, and License Fees?
These fees are generally due at the time of purchase.
If you finance the purchase of your vehicle, the taxes, title, and license fees will usually be included in your loan amount and paid to the dealership on your behalf. However, you may be responsible for paying these fees upfront if you pay cash for your vehicle or if you live in a state with special requirements.
When in doubt, always ask your dealer or lender about their policies regarding tax, title, and license fees.