Car ownership costs in North Dakota

What it costs to own a car in North Dakota beyond the sticker price - sales tax, annual registration, vehicle property tax, inspection requirements, and title fee.

State record source checked · 2026-Q2 Official source

Vehicle sales tax: 5%; North Dakota levies a 5% motor vehicle excise tax on the purchase price of new and used vehicles (in lieu of general sales tax). The tax is computed after deducting any trade-in allowance (trade-in credit allowed). There are no local/county add-on rates for the motor vehicle excise tax. Confirmed by ND State Highway Patrol (statepatrol.nd.gov).; Sales tax: source checked · 2026-Q2 Official source
Annual registration fee: ~$49/yr; Passenger-car registration is based on vehicle weight and the year first registered (age). Fees scale up by weight and are higher for newer vehicles, ranging roughly from a ~$49 base up to ~$274/year. Registration is annual (renewed yearly). A $1.50 abandoned vehicle disposal fee applies when first titled. Source: NDDOT Passenger Fee Schedule.; Registration fee: source checked · 2026-Q2 Official source
Vehicle property tax: No vehicle property tax; North Dakota does not levy an annual ad valorem or personal-property tax on motor vehicles; vehicles are taxed via the one-time 5% excise tax at titling instead.; Vehicle property tax: source checked · 2026-Q2 Official source
State inspection: Not required; North Dakota has no periodic (recurring) safety or emissions inspection requirement; emissions testing is not done statewide, and a general safety inspection is only required when first titling/registering certain vehicles (e.g., out-of-state), not at annual renewal.; Inspection rule: source checked · 2026-Q2 Official source
Title fee: ~$5; One-time fee at purchase. Amount may vary.
Example: $35,000 vehicle: Sales tax: $1,750; + $49/yr registration + no property tax

How state fees affect your car's true cost in North Dakota

When you buy a vehicle in North Dakota, the first state cost you'll face is the sales tax of 5%. On a $35,000 vehicle, that's roughly $1,750 due at the time of purchase — in addition to the dealer's price.

After the purchase, North Dakota charges an estimated $49 per year to register the vehicle. Passenger-car registration is based on vehicle weight and the year first registered (age). Fees scale up by weight and are higher for newer vehicles, ranging roughly from a ~$49 base up to ~$274/year. Registration is annual (renewed yearly). A $1.50 abandoned vehicle disposal fee applies when first titled. Source: NDDOT Passenger Fee Schedule.

North Dakota 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.

North Dakota does not require a state vehicle inspection, saving the time and cost of periodic safety or emissions testing.

Calculate your full 5-year ownership cost in North Dakota

The TCO calculator pre-fills North Dakota's sales tax and registration fee. Add your purchase price, loan terms, fuel type, and insurance to see the complete picture.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the car sales tax in North Dakota?

The vehicle sales tax rate in North Dakota is 5%. On a $35,000 vehicle that works out to roughly $1,750 at the time of purchase. North Dakota levies a 5% motor vehicle excise tax on the purchase price of new and used vehicles (in lieu of general sales tax). The tax is computed after deducting any trade-in allowance (trade-in credit allowed). There are no local/county add-on rates for the motor vehicle excise tax. Confirmed by ND State Highway Patrol (statepatrol.nd.gov).

How much is vehicle registration in North Dakota?

The estimated annual vehicle registration fee in North Dakota is around $49 per year. Passenger-car registration is based on vehicle weight and the year first registered (age). Fees scale up by weight and are higher for newer vehicles, ranging roughly from a ~$49 base up to ~$274/year. Registration is annual (renewed yearly). A $1.50 abandoned vehicle disposal fee applies when first titled. Source: NDDOT Passenger Fee Schedule.

Does North Dakota have a vehicle property tax?

No. North Dakota does not impose an annual personal property tax on vehicles. North Dakota does not levy an annual ad valorem or personal-property tax on motor vehicles; vehicles are taxed via the one-time 5% excise tax at titling instead.

Is a vehicle inspection required in North Dakota?

No. North Dakota does not require a state vehicle inspection. North Dakota has no periodic (recurring) safety or emissions inspection requirement; emissions testing is not done statewide, and a general safety inspection is only required when first titling/registering certain vehicles (e.g., out-of-state), not at annual renewal.

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