Car ownership costs in Utah

Q: What is the car sales tax in Utah?

The vehicle sales tax rate in Utah is 4.85%. On a $35,000 vehicle that works out to roughly $1,698 at the time of purchase. Utah's statewide base sales/use tax rate is 4.85% (4.70% state + 0.15% statewide mass-transit/cultural levy). However, motor vehicle purchases are taxed at the COMBINED location-based rate (state base plus local county/city/transit taxes) of the buyer's address, which generally falls between roughly 6.1% and 8.7% (Tax Commission combined-rate range ~6.35%–9.05% in some jurisdictions). Trade-in credit: an allowance for a trade-in of tangible personal property may be excluded from the taxable amount, so tax is computed on the net price after trade-in (must be a single documented transaction between two parties) — per Utah State Tax Commission Pub 5. Listed 0.0485 = state base rate; add local rates for actual combined rate.

Q: How much is vehicle registration in Utah?

The estimated annual vehicle registration fee in Utah is around $44 per year. Base registration fee is $44 for a passenger vehicle of 14,000 lbs or less gross laden weight (excluding motorcycles), per Utah Code 41-1a-1206 (effective 1/1/2026), a flat fee. Separately, an age-based uniform fee (in lieu of property tax) is collected at each registration: $150 (<3 yrs, MY 2024-2026), $110 (MY 2021-2023), $80 (MY 2018-2020), $50 (MY 2015-2017), $10 (MY 2014 & older). Plus possible $1 uninsured-motorist ID fee, local/county option fees, and EV/hybrid fee or Road Usage Charge. Renewal is generally annual.

Q: Does Utah have a vehicle property tax?

Yes. Utah levies an annual personal property tax on vehicles. The rate varies by locality and vehicle value. Utah does not levy a traditional value-based ad valorem property tax on most passenger vehicles; instead it imposes an annual age-based "uniform fee" ($10–$150 by vehicle age) collected at each registration, which is statutorily a uniform statewide fee in lieu of property tax.

Q: Is a vehicle inspection required in Utah?

Yes. Utah requires periodic vehicle safety (and in some areas emissions) inspections. Safety inspections were eliminated for ordinary passenger vehicles effective Jan 1, 2018; however, emissions (smog) inspections are still REQUIRED to register vehicles in five Wasatch Front-area counties — Salt Lake, Davis, Utah, Weber, and Cache — generally every two years (new/very recent and electric vehicles exempt), so periodic inspection applies metro-wide.

What it costs to own a car in Utah 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: 4.85%; Utah's statewide base sales/use tax rate is 4.85% (4.70% state + 0.15% statewide mass-transit/cultural levy). However, motor vehicle purchases are taxed at the COMBINED location-based rate (state base plus local county/city/transit taxes) of the buyer's address, which generally falls between roughly 6.1% and 8.7% (Tax Commission combined-rate range ~6.35%–9.05% in some jurisdictions). Trade-in credit: an allowance for a trade-in of tangible personal property may be excluded from the taxable amount, so tax is computed on the net price after trade-in (must be a single documented transaction between two parties) — per Utah State Tax Commission Pub 5. Listed 0.0485 = state base rate; add local rates for actual combined rate.; Sales tax: source checked · 2026-Q2 Official source
Annual registration fee: ~$44/yr; Base registration fee is $44 for a passenger vehicle of 14,000 lbs or less gross laden weight (excluding motorcycles), per Utah Code 41-1a-1206 (effective 1/1/2026), a flat fee. Separately, an age-based uniform fee (in lieu of property tax) is collected at each registration: $150 (<3 yrs, MY 2024-2026), $110 (MY 2021-2023), $80 (MY 2018-2020), $50 (MY 2015-2017), $10 (MY 2014 & older). Plus possible $1 uninsured-motorist ID fee, local/county option fees, and EV/hybrid fee or Road Usage Charge. Renewal is generally annual.; Registration fee: source checked · 2026-Q2 Official source
Vehicle property tax: Yes — annual tax on vehicle value; Utah does not levy a traditional value-based ad valorem property tax on most passenger vehicles; instead it imposes an annual age-based "uniform fee" ($10–$150 by vehicle age) collected at each registration, which is statutorily a uniform statewide fee in lieu of property tax.; Vehicle property tax: source checked · 2026-Q2 Official source
State inspection: Required; Safety inspections were eliminated for ordinary passenger vehicles effective Jan 1, 2018; however, emissions (smog) inspections are still REQUIRED to register vehicles in five Wasatch Front-area counties — Salt Lake, Davis, Utah, Weber, and Cache — generally every two years (new/very recent and electric vehicles exempt), so periodic inspection applies metro-wide.; Inspection rule: source checked · 2026-Q2 Official source
Title fee: ~$6; One-time fee at purchase. Amount may vary.
Example: $35,000 vehicle: Sales tax: $1,698; + $44/yr registration + annual property tax

How state fees affect your car's true cost in Utah

When you buy a vehicle in Utah, the first state cost you'll face is the sales tax of 4.85%. On a $35,000 vehicle, that's roughly $1,698 due at the time of purchase — in addition to the dealer's price.

After the purchase, Utah charges an estimated $44 per year to register the vehicle. Base registration fee is $44 for a passenger vehicle of 14,000 lbs or less gross laden weight (excluding motorcycles), per Utah Code 41-1a-1206 (effective 1/1/2026), a flat fee. Separately, an age-based uniform fee (in lieu of property tax) is collected at each registration: $150 (<3 yrs, MY 2024-2026), $110 (MY 2021-2023), $80 (MY 2018-2020), $50 (MY 2015-2017), $10 (MY 2014 & older). Plus possible $1 uninsured-motorist ID fee, local/county option fees, and EV/hybrid fee or Road Usage Charge. Renewal is generally annual.

Utah also levies an annual personal property tax on vehicles. The amount depends on your vehicle's assessed value and your local jurisdiction. Utah does not levy a traditional value-based ad valorem property tax on most passenger vehicles; instead it imposes an annual age-based "uniform fee" ($10–$150 by vehicle age) collected at each registration, which is statutorily a uniform statewide fee in lieu of property tax. This recurring cost can add hundreds of dollars per year for newer or more expensive vehicles.

Utah requires periodic vehicle inspections. Safety inspections were eliminated for ordinary passenger vehicles effective Jan 1, 2018; however, emissions (smog) inspections are still REQUIRED to register vehicles in five Wasatch Front-area counties — Salt Lake, Davis, Utah, Weber, and Cache — generally every two years (new/very recent and electric vehicles exempt), so periodic inspection applies metro-wide. Inspection fees are typically $20–$70 depending on the station and vehicle type.

Calculate your full 5-year ownership cost in Utah

The TCO calculator pre-fills Utah'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 Utah?

The vehicle sales tax rate in Utah is 4.85%. On a $35,000 vehicle that works out to roughly $1,698 at the time of purchase. Utah's statewide base sales/use tax rate is 4.85% (4.70% state + 0.15% statewide mass-transit/cultural levy). However, motor vehicle purchases are taxed at the COMBINED location-based rate (state base plus local county/city/transit taxes) of the buyer's address, which generally falls between roughly 6.1% and 8.7% (Tax Commission combined-rate range ~6.35%–9.05% in some jurisdictions). Trade-in credit: an allowance for a trade-in of tangible personal property may be excluded from the taxable amount, so tax is computed on the net price after trade-in (must be a single documented transaction between two parties) — per Utah State Tax Commission Pub 5. Listed 0.0485 = state base rate; add local rates for actual combined rate.

How much is vehicle registration in Utah?

The estimated annual vehicle registration fee in Utah is around $44 per year. Base registration fee is $44 for a passenger vehicle of 14,000 lbs or less gross laden weight (excluding motorcycles), per Utah Code 41-1a-1206 (effective 1/1/2026), a flat fee. Separately, an age-based uniform fee (in lieu of property tax) is collected at each registration: $150 (<3 yrs, MY 2024-2026), $110 (MY 2021-2023), $80 (MY 2018-2020), $50 (MY 2015-2017), $10 (MY 2014 & older). Plus possible $1 uninsured-motorist ID fee, local/county option fees, and EV/hybrid fee or Road Usage Charge. Renewal is generally annual.

Does Utah have a vehicle property tax?

Yes. Utah levies an annual personal property tax on vehicles. The rate varies by locality and vehicle value. Utah does not levy a traditional value-based ad valorem property tax on most passenger vehicles; instead it imposes an annual age-based "uniform fee" ($10–$150 by vehicle age) collected at each registration, which is statutorily a uniform statewide fee in lieu of property tax.

Is a vehicle inspection required in Utah?

Yes. Utah requires periodic vehicle safety (and in some areas emissions) inspections. Safety inspections were eliminated for ordinary passenger vehicles effective Jan 1, 2018; however, emissions (smog) inspections are still REQUIRED to register vehicles in five Wasatch Front-area counties — Salt Lake, Davis, Utah, Weber, and Cache — generally every two years (new/very recent and electric vehicles exempt), so periodic inspection applies metro-wide.

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