Vehicle Registration Rates by State

While owning a car adds convenience, it also comes with some costs. Whether it’s a new or pre-owned motor vehicle, be aware of any additional fees you have to pay beyond the car’s initial sticker price. One of these costs is the vehicle registration fee. Before you are able to start driving, you need to make sure you check all the boxes to register your car in your name.

Registration fees, license plate fees, and title fees can all add up, but one place you can save is your car insurance! Let Insurify help you get the best deal so you don’t break the bank when finding quotes that fit your needs and wallet. All you have to do is take a few minutes to fill out your profile. After that, compare car insurance quotes side-by-side and pick your perfect policy.

The Basic Fees You Need to Know: Registration, Plate, and Title

Be mindful that owning a car comes with costs that go beyond the sticker price you see at the lot. There are a number of vehicle fees not mentioned at the dealership that you need to pay in order to drive your car. Many of these transactions can be done at your state’s department of motor vehicles (DMV), either in person or online.

There is no flat fee for registration. A number of different factors are taken into account when determining the costs of registering your vehicle that go beyond the car’s purchase price. The vehicle age, model year, gross vehicle weight, and vehicle type (from motorcycle to automobile to even electric vehicle) all matter when getting you registered.

Whether you are buying a car that was previously owned or getting a brand-new vehicle, every motorist needs to follow their state’s requirements to get their car ready for the road. The fees and laws vary on a state-to-state basis, so see the table below to find out what the average costs are in your state.

Here are the fees you need to know about when registering your car:

• Motor vehicle registration fee: Before you start driving, you need to register your car. Required by law, states use this to keep track of vehicle owners. This data can be used to figure out how much you pay in taxes, track theft, and more. Once issued, you will receive a registration certificate that is required whenever you drive.

• Vehicle registration only lasts a certain number of years, so keep an eye on when yours is up for registration renewal. Typically, most states require renewal on an annual basis, where you will also need to pay a renewal fee. This varies by state. For example, registration lasts for two years in Massachusetts.

• **License plate fee:**Once you receive your vehicle registration, you will be issued a license plate, also known as a decal or tag. Some states do not charge an additional fee for this, counting it as part of the registration fee, but it depends on the state. Some states might even determine this based on the county you reside in.

• Vehicle title fee: The “certificate of title for a vehicle” is a form that legally establishes a person (or a business) as the owner of a vehicle. Also known as an automobile title, car title, or pink slip, it is typically a one-time expense that the car owner pays for the first time. If you buy a car and claim it under your name, this document helps act as proof.

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Registration, License Plate, and Title Fees By State

Note that “transfer” under “License Plate Fee” means that vehicle owners just need to pay a transfer fee instead of the cost to receive new license plates. This means that license plates will be transferred from the other vehicle to your new one and new license plates do not need to be issued.

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The Consequence of Not Registering Your Vehicle

Registering your vehicle is required by law across all 50 states. Typically, the first thing law enforcement will say when they pull you over is “License and registration.” Failure to show a valid driver’s license or vehicle registration when you’re behind the wheel is a legal offense. If you purchase a car, whether it be new or used, you must register it at your state’s DMV.

Registration fees, which are usually paid on an annual basis, help pay for upkeep and service fees that we might not typically notice. The U.S. government does not ask for a federal road tax, so registration fees are the way we as citizens pay for things like highway maintenance, public safety officers, and federally funded employees at the DMV. We pay to keep our roads safe.

You can get pulled over by the police if they catch you driving with expired, non-visible, or missing license plates on your car or motorcycle. Depending on what state you’re driving in, it may be considered a non-moving violation. In this case, an officer could give you a ticket, where you are just responsible for paying a fine, and reinforce that you need to renew your registration.

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How to Save Money as a Vehicle Owner

Fees, fees, fees! The cost of owning a car goes far beyond the car’s sale price at the dealership and regular gas top-ups, but don’t let these added expenses push you away from owning a car!

You can offset these costs by saving big on your insurance policy. Insurify is the best place to shop around for car insurance deals. Comparing your options to get a lower monthly premium can lead to hundreds—or even thousands—of dollars in savings each year. Get your free car insurance quotes in just a few minutes to make car ownership feel possible again.

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Frequently Asked Questions