Vermont Vehicle Registration Cost
Vermont has a 6% Purchase and Use Tax on vehicles (replaces sales tax), applied to the higher of purchase price or J.D. Power clean trade-in value with full trade-in credit and NO local additions. Annual registration is $76 flat for passenger vehicles. Title fee is $42 + $8 warranty fee on new vehicles. EV infrastructure fee took effect January 1, 2025 at $89/year (PHEV $44.50). No annual ad valorem. Per Act No. 165 of 2024, all vehicles sold to new owners receive a Vermont title at registration (previous model-year exemptions removed). A new $35,000 vehicle in Vermont runs about $2,226 in first-year costs ($2,100 P&U tax + $76 registration + $50 title/warranty), with annual renewals around $76.
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Itemized breakdown
| Annual Registration Fee (annual) | $76 |
| Title Fee | $42 |
| Warranty Fee (new vehicles only) | $8 |
| Purchase and Use Tax | $2,100 |
| First-year total | $2,226 |
| Annual renewal thereafter | $76 |
How Vermont calculates registration
- Annual Registration Fee — $76 (annual) Per 23 V.S.A. §361. Statewide flat fee for passenger vehicles under 26,001 lbs. Two-year option also available at double the annual rate.
- Title Fee — $42 (one-time) One-time title fee per Vermont DMV. Lien recording is $14 additional if financed.
- Warranty Fee (new vehicles only) — $8 (one-time) Per 23 V.S.A. §476. $8 warranty fee charged on new motor vehicles only — excluding trailers, motorcycles, snowmobiles, and trucks over 12,000 lbs.
Sales tax
Vermont charges 6% state Purchase and Use Tax . Trade-in credit: full. Tax basis: purchase price.
Vermont imposes the Purchase and Use Tax at 6% of taxable price — applied to the HIGHER of purchase price or J.D. Power clean trade-in value (to prevent underreporting). Replaces sales tax for vehicles. NO local additions. Trade-in is fully credited. Maximum tax is $2,486 for trucks/tractors registered at 10,099 lbs or higher (no maximum for autos). Family transfers between spouses, parents/children/grandparents are EXEMPT. Out-of-state buyers acquiring a vehicle within 60 DAYS may also qualify for exemption if not previously registered in Vermont.
Electric vehicle surcharge
Vermont charges an additional $89/year for electric vehicles.
EV Infrastructure Fee effective January 1, 2025. Battery EVs pay $89/year additional registration. Plug-in hybrids pay $44.50/year. Conventional hybrids do not pay a surcharge. Fees fund EV charging infrastructure deployment.
What makes Vermont distinctive
- Vermont's Purchase and Use Tax applies to the HIGHER of purchase price or J.D. Power clean trade-in value — preventing underreporting on private-party sales. If you buy a vehicle for $10,000 that has $15,000 J.D. Power value, you owe Purchase and Use Tax on $15,000. This is similar to RI and DE.
- Vermont per Act No. 165 of 2024 eliminated previous model-year exemptions — ALL vehicles sold to new owners now receive a Vermont title when registered. Previously, vehicles older than a certain model year did not require titles. The new rule simplifies recordkeeping and prevents some title-washing schemes.
- Vermont's EV Infrastructure Fee took effect January 1, 2025 at $89/year for battery EVs and $44.50 for plug-in hybrids. The fee specifically funds EV charging infrastructure deployment (not general roads), making it a more targeted use than EV surcharges in most states which go to general highway funds.
- Vermont charges a unique $8 "warranty fee" on new vehicles only (per 23 V.S.A. §476) — funding the state's lemon law enforcement. Used vehicles are exempt. This is in addition to the title fee and represents a small but distinct line item.
- Vermont has NO annual vehicle ad valorem tax — unlike most other New England states (CT, MA, ME, NH all have some form). Combined with a moderate 6% Purchase and Use Tax and modest $76/year registration, Vermont is mid-cost overall. New residents have 60 days to register.
Frequently asked questions about Vermont vehicle registration
How much does it cost to register a car in Vermont?
Registering a new $35,000 passenger vehicle in Vermont costs approximately $2,226 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 Vermont?
Vermont charges a 6% state Purchase and Use Tax with no local additions. Trade-in credit treatment is "full", applied to the purchase price.
Does Vermont have an electric vehicle registration fee?
Yes — Vermont charges $89/year extra for battery electric vehicles in addition to standard registration fees, to compensate for lost gas tax revenue. EV Infrastructure Fee effective January 1, 2025. Battery EVs pay $89/year additional registration. Plug-in hybrids pay $44.50/year. Conventional hybrids do not pay a surcharge. Fees fund EV charging infrastructure deployment.
How much is annual vehicle registration renewal in Vermont?
Annual registration renewal in Vermont 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 Vermont?
Vehicle registration in Vermont is handled by the Vermont DMV. Fees are uniform statewide. See the Vermont DMV website for the official fee schedule, online renewal options, and required documents.
Official sources: Vermont DMV
Data last updated: 2026-05-23