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How Much Does It Cost To Register a Car in North Carolina in 2025

Vehicle registration costs in North Carolina vary based on vehicle type, weight, and county of registration. The state operates under the Tag & Tax Together system, combining vehicle registration fees and property taxes into a single annual payment.

Base Registration Fees by Vehicle Type

Passenger Vehicle Registration Fees

North Carolina passenger vehicle registration fees are standardized statewide, with limited exceptions for certain counties. As of July 2024, the annual registration fees are:

Vehicle Type Annual Registration Fee
Passenger vehicle $46.25
4,000-pound private truck $46.25
Electric vehicle $214.50
Hybrid electric vehicle $107.25
Motorcycle/Moped $29.50
Private bus (16+ passengers) $51.50
10-day temporary tags $10.00

The standard passenger vehicle fee represents an increase from the previous $38.75 rate, implementing changes authorized by the North Carolina General Assembly in 2015.

Commercial Vehicle Registration Fees

North Carolina commercial vehicle registration fees are based on gross vehicle weight and calculated using specific rate formulas. The official fee schedule establishes different rate structures for various commercial vehicle categories:

Private, Contract Carrier, and For-Hire Truck Fees:

Gross Weight (lbs) Annual Fee Monthly Prorate
4,000 $46.25 $3.85
5,000 $70.00 $5.83
6,000 $83.00 $6.92
7,000 $96.00 $8.00
8,000 $109.00 $9.08
10,000 $160.00 $13.33
15,000 $383.00 $31.92
20,000 $555.00 $46.25
30,000 $830.00 $69.17
40,000 $1,105.00 $92.08
50,000 $1,380.00 $115.00
60,000 $1,655.00 $137.92
70,000 $1,930.00 $160.83
80,000 $2,205.00 $183.75

Farm Truck Fees (Reduced Rate Structure):

Farm trucks receive significantly reduced registration fees compared to commercial vehicles:

Gross Weight (lbs) Annual Fee Monthly Prorate
4,000 $38.50 $3.21
10,000 $70.00 $5.83
20,000 $255.00 $21.25
40,000 $505.00 $42.08
60,000 $755.00 $62.92
80,000 $1,005.00 $83.75

Important Note: All vehicle fees determined by weight include an additional $5.00 surcharge to arrive at the total fee, as specified in North Carolina General Statute 20-88(i).

Trailer Registration Fees

North Carolina trailer registration fees vary based on trailer type and intended use:

Trailer Type Annual Registration Fee
Trailer or Semitrailer $32.25
Multi-year trailer plate (permanent) $126.00
House trailer/Camping trailer $18.00

Trailers over 4,000 pounds require registration with the North Carolina DMV, while lighter utility trailers may be exempt from registration requirements depending on their use and whether they operate on public roads.

Local and County Fees

North Carolina imposes local and county fees on vehicle registration that vary significantly by location, with these fees collected in addition to standard state registration costs.

Name of Fee Fee Amount Description
Regional Transportation Tax - Randolph $1 N/A
Regional Transportation Tax - Orange $10 N/A
Regional Transportation Tax - Durham $10 N/A
Regional Transportation Tax - Wake $10 N/A
County Registration Tax - Wake $7 N/A
County Registration Tax - Randolph $1 N/A
County Registration Tax - Orange $7 N/A
County Registration Tax - Durham $7 N/A

Regional Transit Authority Impact

The new Regional Transit Authority fee affects some of North Carolina's most populous counties, including Wake County (Raleigh), Durham County, and Orange County (Chapel Hill). This $10.00 annual fee supports regional transportation initiatives and public transit systems.

Processing and Administrative Fees

Title Fees

North Carolina title fees are standardized statewide:

Service Fee
Certificate of title $66.75
Instant title $105.75
Duplicate certificate of title $25.50
Salvage title $25.50
Corrected certificate of title $25.50
Transfer of registration $25.50
Recording of lien $25.50
Removal of lien $25.50

Online Transaction Fees

North Carolina uses PayIt, a third-party service provider, for online transactions. These fees are separate from state DMV fees:

Payment Method Processing Fee
Online transactions $3.00 + 1.85% card processing fee
In-person transactions 1.22% card processing fee
Kiosk transactions 2% card processing fee

Notary and Administrative Fees

State Office Notary Fees (Raleigh & Charlotte):

  • One signature: $6.00
  • Two signatures: $7.00
  • Three signatures: $8.00

Contract Agent Notary Fees:

  • One signature: $8.00
  • Two signatures: $9.00
  • Three signatures: $10.00

Other Administrative Fees:

  • Certification fees: $16.75
  • Registration information: $1.25
  • Replacing registration plate: $25.50

Regional Variations and Special Requirements

Highway Use Tax

North Carolina assesses a 3% Highway Use Tax on all vehicle purchases instead of traditional sales tax. This tax applies to the vehicle's purchase price and has a maximum cap of $250 for private sales between individuals.

Vehicle Inspection Requirements

Safety Inspection:

  • Required annually for all vehicles
  • Cost: $13.60

Emissions Testing:

  • Required in 19 counties only
  • Cost: Up to $30.00 (maximum allowed; stations may charge less)
  • Emissions counties: Alamance, Buncombe, Cabarrus, Cumberland, Davidson, Durham, Forsyth, Franklin, Gaston, Guilford, Iredell, Johnston, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, New Hanover, Randolph, Rowan, Union, and Wake

Additional Testing:

  • Tinted window inspection: $10.00 (where applicable)

Late Registration Penalties

North Carolina imposes progressive late fees for expired registrations:

Late Period Late Fee
Less than 1 month $15.00
1 to 2 months $20.00
2 months or more $25.00

Grace Period: North Carolina provides a 15-day grace period after registration expiration during which drivers can legally operate their vehicles, but late fees begin accruing immediately after the expiration date.

These totals exclude the Highway Use Tax, which varies based on vehicle purchase price, and any applicable emissions testing fees for vehicles in designated counties.

For current fee calculations and online renewal services, visit the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles website.

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