Car ownership costs in Utah
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.
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
- 0.0485%
- Utah state sales tax on vehicles is 4.85%; local taxes bring the combined rate to approximately 6.85%–8.35%. Trade-in credit applies.
- Annual registration fee
- ~$44/yr
- Annual registration ~$44 for passenger vehicles.
- Vehicle property tax
- No vehicle property tax
- No annual personal property tax on vehicles.
- State inspection
- Not required
- Safety inspection required at point of sale for used vehicles. Emissions testing required in northern and central Utah counties.
- Title fee
- ~$6
- One-time fee at purchase. Amount may vary.
- Example: $35,000 vehicle
- Sales tax: $17
- + $44/yr registration + no 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 0.0485%. On a $35,000 vehicle, that's roughly $17 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. Annual registration ~$44 for passenger vehicles.
Utah 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.
Utah 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 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.
Open TCO calculatorFrequently asked questions
What is the car sales tax in Utah?
The vehicle sales tax rate in Utah is 0.0485%. On a $35,000 vehicle that works out to roughly $17 at the time of purchase. Utah state sales tax on vehicles is 4.85%; local taxes bring the combined rate to approximately 6.85%–8.35%. Trade-in credit applies.
How much is vehicle registration in Utah?
The estimated annual vehicle registration fee in Utah is around $44 per year. Annual registration ~$44 for passenger vehicles.
Does Utah have a vehicle property tax?
No. Utah does not impose an annual personal property tax on vehicles. No annual personal property tax on vehicles.
Is a vehicle inspection required in Utah?
No. Utah does not require a state vehicle inspection. Safety inspection required at point of sale for used vehicles. Emissions testing required in northern and central Utah counties.
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