North Dakota Vehicle Registration Cost
North Dakota has one of the simpler vehicle tax structures: 5% Motor Vehicle Excise Tax replaces sales tax (no local additions, full trade-in credit), weight-based annual registration around $76 for typical passenger vehicles, and just $5 for the title fee. No annual ad valorem on vehicles. No state-mandated emissions testing or inspections. EV surcharge is $120/year (PHEV $50). A new $35,000 vehicle in North Dakota runs about $1,843 in first-year costs (mostly the $1,750 MVET + $76 registration + small fees), with annual renewals around $76.
Calculate your cost
Itemized breakdown
| Annual Registration Fee (typical passenger) (annual) | $76 |
| Title Fee | $5 |
| Abandoned Vehicle Disposal Fee | $2 |
| Branch Office Service Fee | $10 |
| Motor Vehicle Excise Tax | $1,750 |
| First-year total | $1,843 |
| Annual renewal thereafter | $76 |
How North Dakota calculates registration
- Annual Registration Fee (typical passenger) — $76 (annual) Per NDCC §39-06. Weight-based and year-first-registered tiered fee. Typical 3,200-4,499 lb passenger vehicle in its first 5 years registered: $76/year. Lighter vehicles pay $50-65, heavier vehicles $90-110. Fee declines as vehicles age past year 5.
- Title Fee — $5 (one-time) One-time title fee per North Dakota Administrative Code.
- Abandoned Vehicle Disposal Fee — $2 (one-time) One-time fee on new and out-of-state vehicles when first titled in ND.
- Branch Office Service Fee — $10 (one-time) One-time service fee charged by motor vehicle branch offices for processing.
Sales tax
North Dakota charges 5% state Motor Vehicle Excise Tax . Trade-in credit: full. Tax basis: purchase price.
North Dakota imposes the Motor Vehicle Excise Tax at 5% of taxable price — replaces general sales tax. NO local additions (regular ND sales tax has local additions up to 3%, but vehicles are exempt from these). Trade-in is fully credited. Credit available for taxes paid in another state if at least equal to 5%.
Electric vehicle surcharge
North Dakota charges an additional $120/year for electric vehicles.
Per NDCC §39-06.5. Battery EVs pay $120/year additional. Plug-in hybrids pay $50/year. Conventional hybrids do not pay an EV-specific surcharge. Fees deposited into the highway tax distribution fund.
What makes North Dakota distinctive
- North Dakota's 5% Motor Vehicle Excise Tax has NO LOCAL ADDITIONS — every ND county pays the same 5% statewide. Compare to neighbors: Minnesota 6.5% + local up to 1% = 7.5%, South Dakota 4% no local, Montana 0%. ND sits between SD and MN.
- North Dakota assesses registration based on the year FIRST REGISTERED in any state (not the vehicle's model year). Buying a 5-year-old used car that's been continuously registered registers it in the same fee class as your previous owner — no "reset" to the new-vehicle rate.
- North Dakota has NO annual vehicle ad valorem or personal property tax — unlike neighbor Minnesota's complex MV registration tax. Ongoing costs are limited to the modest $76 registration plus EV/PHEV surcharges. Among the cheapest states for long-term vehicle ownership.
- North Dakota's $120/year EV surcharge is moderate. Combined with the $1,750 MVET on a $35K EV and no state EV purchase rebate, ND is neutral on EVs. The state's gas tax is 23¢/gallon, relatively low among the Plains states.
- North Dakota requires titling within 5 days of purchase to avoid late fees, though registration grace periods vary. Among the shortest titling windows in the US — most states give 30-60 days.
Frequently asked questions about North Dakota vehicle registration
How much does it cost to register a car in North Dakota?
Registering a new $35,000 passenger vehicle in North Dakota costs approximately $1,843 in the first year, including sales tax, title, registration, and any applicable state surcharges. Annual renewal in subsequent years drops to roughly $76 once one-time fees like title and sales tax are paid.
What is the sales tax on a vehicle purchase in North Dakota?
North Dakota charges a 5% state Motor Vehicle Excise Tax with no local additions. Trade-in credit treatment is "full", applied to the purchase price.
Does North Dakota have an electric vehicle registration fee?
Yes — North Dakota charges $120/year extra for battery electric vehicles in addition to standard registration fees, to compensate for lost gas tax revenue. Per NDCC §39-06.5. Battery EVs pay $120/year additional. Plug-in hybrids pay $50/year. Conventional hybrids do not pay an EV-specific surcharge. Fees deposited into the highway tax distribution fund.
How much is annual vehicle registration renewal in North Dakota?
Annual registration renewal in North Dakota for a typical passenger vehicle is approximately $76, covering registration fees, plate fees, and any annual ad valorem or surcharges. This excludes one-time costs like sales tax and title fee paid only at initial registration.
Where do I register my vehicle in North Dakota?
Vehicle registration in North Dakota is handled by the North Dakota DOT Motor Vehicle Division. Fees are uniform statewide. See the North Dakota DOT Motor Vehicle Division website for the official fee schedule, online renewal options, and required documents.
Official sources: North Dakota DOT Motor Vehicle Division
Data last updated: 2026-05-23