Transportation
Car Registration Fees by State 2026
United States $595.08
0%
US Average The average car registration & documentation fee across all states.
Delaware $2,159
Highest
Arkansas $157
Lowest
Registration & Documentation Fees
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,159
$1,296
$1,294
$1,144
$1,116
$1,069
States Ranked by Car Registration Fees
State | Registration & Documentation Fees↓ | Registration Fee | Average Documentation Fee | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Delaware | $2,159 | $45 | $2,114 |
 | Florida | $1,296 | $297 | $999 |
 | Colorado | $1,294 | $595 | $699 |
 | Mississippi | $1,144 | $719 | $425 |
 | Wyoming | $1,116 | $616 | $500 |
 | North Carolina | $1,069 | $370 | $699 |
 | Arizona | $1,063 | $564 | $499 |
 | New Jersey | $966 | $271 | $695 |
 | Alabama | $882 | $393 | $489 |
 | Virginia | $835 | $36 | $799 |
 | Connecticut | $779 | $180 | $599 |
 | Oklahoma | $699 | $100 | $599 |
 | Maryland | $686 | $187 | $499 |
 | Missouri | $622 | $57 | $565 |
 | Georgia | $619 | $20 | $599 |
 | California | $609 | $524 | $85 |
 | Kansas | $579 | $80 | $499 |
 | Nevada | $548 | $49 | $499 |
 | Alaska | $544 | $245 | $299 |
 | Maine | $539 | $40 | $499 |
 | Montana | $536 | $237 | $299 |
 | Tennessee | $528 | $29 | $499 |
 | Idaho | $525 | $126 | $399 |
 | Massachusetts | $519 | $60 | $459 |
 | Iowa | $513 | $333 | $180 |
 | Illinois | $498 | $151 | $347 |
 | Louisiana | $489 | $64 | $425 |
 | Pennsylvania | $488 | $39 | $449 |
 | Kentucky | $476 | $26 | $450 |
 | Hawaii | $473 | $78 | $395 |
 | Rhode Island | $457 | $58 | $399 |
 | South Carolina | $440 | $40 | $400 |
 | New Hampshire | $426 | $51 | $375 |
 | North Dakota | $422 | $123 | $299 |
 | Oregon | $419 | $169 | $250 |
 | New Mexico | $399 | $60 | $339 |
 | Michigan | $388 | $128 | $260 |
 | Wisconsin | $384 | $85 | $299 |
 | Nebraska | $382 | $83 | $299 |
 | Utah | $356 | $57 | $299 |
 | South Dakota | $322 | $122 | $200 |
 | New York | $321 | $146 | $175 |
 | West Virginia | $302 | $52 | $250 |
 | Ohio | $281 | $31 | $250 |
 | Vermont | $278 | $78 | $200 |
 | Washington | $272 | $73 | $199 |
 | Indiana | $237 | $38 | $199 |
 | Texas | $224 | $74 | $150 |
 | Minnesota | $194 | $69 | $125 |
 | Arkansas | $157 | $28 | $129 |
- Rates shown are averages.
- Actual registration costs for individual vehicles can vary based on factors including (but not limited to) vehicle type, age, weight, use, the city or county in which it is registered, whether the vehicle is gas or electric/hybird, if it has specialty plates, or the conditions of its financing.
- Many states, counties, and municipalities also charge additional fees, such as wheel taxes, local vehicle use taxes, or EV and hybrid fees, which may not be reflected in the data displayed.
- National average fee has been computed manually using data from state-level averages.
Key Findings
How Much Does It Cost to Register a Car?
-
Car registration fees average approximately $595.08 in the United States, though costs vary widely by state.
-
Registration fees range from $157 in Arkansas to $2,159 in Delaware, depending on how each state structures its fees, taxes, and documentation charges.
Most Expensive State to Register a Car
-
Delaware has the highest car registration fees at $2,159. The five most expensive states for car registration are Delaware ($2,159), Florida ($1,296), Colorado ($1,294), Mississippi ($1,144), and Wyoming ($1,116).
-
Higher registration costs are often tied to states that rely more heavily on vehicle-related taxes and fees to fund transportation infrastructure and state services.
Cheapest State to Register a Car
-
Arkansas has the cheapest car registration fees at $157. The five cheapest states to register a car are Washington ($272), Indiana ($237), Texas ($224), Minnesota ($194), and Arkansas ($157).
-
Lower-fee states are generally concentrated in regions with lower overall vehicle ownership costs and simpler fee structures.
States Ranked by Car Registration Fees
State Comparison
Car registration fees vary dramatically across the United States, with some states charging several times more than others for new vehicle registration. Differences are driven by how states structure taxes, documentation fees, and transportation funding systems.
Definitions & Methodology
How Car Registration Fees Are Calculated States use different methods to calculate vehicle registration fees. Some charge a flat rate, while others base fees on factors such as vehicle weight, age, horsepower, or manufacturer suggested retail price (MSRP). The fees shown here reflect new vehicle registration costs and documentation fees, while renewal costs may differ.
Why Registration Fees Vary by State Each state sets its own fee structure to fund road maintenance, transportation infrastructure, and state services. Some states bundle documentation fees, title fees, and plate fees into registration while others charge them separately, making direct comparisons difficult.
Last Updated: May 29, 2026
