Gas vehicle, no trade-in
$20,000 vehicle
$1,099.50
North Dakota excise tax (5%) $1,000.00, Title $5.00, Abandoned vehicle disposal fee $1.50, Registration (first registered 2021 or later) $93.00.
What a vehicle purchase costs in North Dakota, itemized and sourced.
Sales tax, title and registration for a vehicle registered in North Dakota. Every line cites the page it came from and the day we opened it.
On a $30,000.00 gas vehicle with no trade-in, the North Dakota estimate is $1,599.50 in taxes and fees (north dakota excise tax (5%) $1,500.00, title $5.00, abandoned vehicle disposal fee $1.50, registration (first registered 2021 or later) $93.00).
Estimate / North Dakota
Reviewed Oct 24, 2026
- North Dakota excise tax (5%)[1] source[2] source$1,500.00
- Title[2] source$5.00
- Abandoned vehicle disposal fee[2] source$1.50
- Registration (first registered 2021 or later)[3] sourceCheck sourceThe schedule is by the year the vehicle was first registered, not its model year. The age bands here match the 2026 schedule and must be shifted each January.$93.00
Total taxes and fees$1,599.50
Price plus these items: $31,599.50.
Sources
- [1]Special taxes (motor vehicle excise tax)Supports: State sales tax rate, Trade-in rule, Local tax, Tax paid to another state
- [2]Motor vehicle registration manualSupports: State sales tax rate, Title, Abandoned vehicle disposal fee
- [3]Passenger vehicle registration fee schedule, 2026Supports: Registration (first registered 2021 or later), Registration (first registered 2018 to 2020), Registration (first registered 2015 to 2017), Registration (first registered 2014 or earlier), Electric vehicle road use fee
What changed
- Oct 24, 2026Added state with the 5% motor vehicle excise tax after trade-in (instead of a sales tax), title, disposal fee, yearly registration by weight and year first registered, and the electric vehicle road use fee.
How North Dakota works out this bill
North Dakota charges a 5% excise tax on the price of a vehicle instead of a sales tax. Registration is paid every year and depends on weight and on the year the vehicle was first registered.
The excise tax is 5% of the price less any trade-in, paid when you apply for a title.
Source: North Dakota Office of State Tax Commissioner - Special taxes (motor vehicle excise tax)
North Dakota gives credit for excise tax paid in another state only if that state gives North Dakota a reciprocal credit.
Source: North Dakota Office of State Tax Commissioner - Special taxes (motor vehicle excise tax)
The registration fee depends on the vehicle's weight and the year it was first registered, and newer vehicles pay more.
Source: North Dakota DOT - Passenger vehicle registration fee schedule, 2026
All figures this calculator uses (10)
- State rate (excise tax)5%VerifiedMotor vehicle excise tax of 5% of the purchase price (or fair market value if not purchased), paid when you apply for a title.North Dakota Office of State Tax Commissioner - Special taxes (motor vehicle excise tax)North Dakota DOT - Motor vehicle registration manual
- Trade-in reduces taxable priceYesVerifiedThe base is the sales price less any trade-in amount.North Dakota Office of State Tax Commissioner - Special taxes (motor vehicle excise tax)
- Local taxNoneCheck sourceThe state page describes only the 5% excise tax.North Dakota Office of State Tax Commissioner - Special taxes (motor vehicle excise tax)
- Title$5VerifiedCertificate of title fee.North Dakota DOT - Motor vehicle registration manual
- Abandoned vehicle disposal fee$1.50VerifiedApplies on the first North Dakota title for a new or out-of-state vehicle.North Dakota DOT - Motor vehicle registration manual
- Registration (first registered 2021 or later)Depends on weightCheck sourceThe schedule is by the year the vehicle was first registered, not its model year. The age bands here match the 2026 schedule and must be shifted each January.North Dakota DOT - Passenger vehicle registration fee schedule, 2026
- Registration (first registered 2018 to 2020)Depends on weightCheck sourceThe schedule is by the year the vehicle was first registered, not its model year. The age bands here match the 2026 schedule and must be shifted each January.North Dakota DOT - Passenger vehicle registration fee schedule, 2026
- Registration (first registered 2015 to 2017)Depends on weightCheck sourceThe schedule is by the year the vehicle was first registered, not its model year. The age bands here match the 2026 schedule and must be shifted each January.North Dakota DOT - Passenger vehicle registration fee schedule, 2026
- Registration (first registered 2014 or earlier)Depends on weightCheck sourceThe schedule is by the year the vehicle was first registered, not its model year. The age bands here match the 2026 schedule and must be shifted each January.North Dakota DOT - Passenger vehicle registration fee schedule, 2026
- Electric vehicle road use fee$120VerifiedNorth Dakota DOT - Passenger vehicle registration fee schedule, 2026
Common questions
Does a trade-in lower the excise tax in North Dakota?
Yes, the tax is figured on the sales price less any trade-in amount.
Source: North Dakota Office of State Tax Commissioner - Special taxes (motor vehicle excise tax)
Is registration based on the model year?
No. The schedule uses the year the vehicle was first registered.
Source: North Dakota DOT - Passenger vehicle registration fee schedule, 2026
How often is this page updated?
The data on this page was last reviewed on Oct 24, 2026. Pages get a changed-page check each month and a full re-verification each January and July.
Worked examples
Gas vehicle with a trade-in
$30,000 vehicle, $8,000 trade-in
$1,199.50
Tax is charged on $22,000, so the trade-in saves $400.00 in sales tax.
Electric vehicle
$45,000 vehicle
$2,469.50
North Dakota excise tax (5%) $2,250.00, Title $5.00, Abandoned vehicle disposal fee $1.50, Registration (first registered 2021 or later) $93.00, Electric vehicle road use fee $120.00.
Each example runs the same calculation as the calculator above. Local tax and county fees are left out unless the example says otherwise, because they depend on where you live. Estimates only.
What this calculator does not cover
- The registration fee table is by the year the vehicle was first registered. It is entered here as the vehicle's age in 2026 and needs a yearly update.
- Plug-in hybrids pay a $50 yearly road use fee, which is not included.
- Enter the vehicle's weight in pounds for the registration fee.