Car ownership costs in Delaware
What it costs to own a car in Delaware beyond the sticker price — sales tax, annual registration, vehicle property tax, inspection requirements, and title fee.
Estimated — not yet source-verified.Estimated — not yet source-verified. This figure is a knowledge estimate we have not yet confirmed against the official source, so this page is not indexed. Treat it as a rough guide only and verify with your state DMV or department of revenue.
- Vehicle sales tax
- None (0%)
- Delaware has no sales tax on vehicle purchases.
- Annual registration fee
- ~$40/yr
- Annual registration ~$40 for passenger vehicles.
- Vehicle property tax
- No vehicle property tax
- No personal property tax on vehicles.
- State inspection
- Required
- Annual safety and emissions inspection required. Fee approximately $28.
- Title fee
- ~$35
- One-time fee at purchase. Amount may vary.
- Example: $35,000 vehicle
- Sales tax: $0
- + $40/yr registration + no property tax
How state fees affect your car's true cost in Delaware
When you buy a vehicle in Delaware, the first state cost you'll face is the sales tax of None (0%). On a $35,000 vehicle, that's roughly $0 due at the time of purchase — in addition to the dealer's price.
After the purchase, Delaware charges an estimated $40 per year to register the vehicle. Annual registration ~$40 for passenger vehicles.
Delaware does not impose a personal property tax on vehicles — which is a meaningful advantage over states that do, where owners can pay 0.5%–2% of the vehicle's value annually.
Delaware requires periodic vehicle inspections. Annual safety and emissions inspection required. Fee approximately $28. Inspection fees are typically $20–$70 depending on the station and vehicle type.
Calculate your full 5-year ownership cost in Delaware
The TCO calculator pre-fills Delaware's sales tax and registration fee. Add your purchase price, loan terms, fuel type, and insurance to see the complete picture.
Open TCO calculatorFrequently asked questions
What is the car sales tax in Delaware?
The vehicle sales tax rate in Delaware is None (0%). On a $35,000 vehicle that works out to roughly $0 at the time of purchase. Delaware has no sales tax on vehicle purchases.
How much is vehicle registration in Delaware?
The estimated annual vehicle registration fee in Delaware is around $40 per year. Annual registration ~$40 for passenger vehicles.
Does Delaware have a vehicle property tax?
No. Delaware does not impose an annual personal property tax on vehicles. No personal property tax on vehicles.
Is a vehicle inspection required in Delaware?
Yes. Delaware requires periodic vehicle safety (and in some areas emissions) inspections. Annual safety and emissions inspection required. Fee approximately $28.
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