Moving to North Carolina: car title and registration costs
Moving to North Carolina with a car you own: title and registration come to about $363.00–$380.00 for a $20,000 car you have owned over a year (estimate). Register within 60 days of moving (N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDOT)).
Tax on the car itself: $250.00.
Estimate of government charges. The DMV or county office calculates the final amount.
Your own numbers
Set up for: moving to North Carolina · Different situation?
Every line for a new resident
| Line | Group | Amount | Set by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Highway Use Tax for a vehicle titled in your name in another state 90+ days (max $250) | State & local tax | $250.00 | N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDOT) |
| Certificate of title | Title | $66.75 | N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDOT) |
| Private passenger vehicle registration (15 passengers or fewer) | Registration & plates | $46.25 | N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDOT) |
| County registration tax + regional transportation tax (Durham, Orange, Randolph, Wake) | Registration & plates | $0.00–$17.00 | N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDOT) |
| County (and municipal) vehicle property tax, billed with the registration | Yearly taxes | you fill in | N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDOT) |
Deadlines
- Title transfer after purchase within: 28 days (North Carolina General Assembly (General Statutes))
- New residents: title and register within: 60 days (N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDOT))
- Deferred property tax (limited registration plate) due within: 60 days (N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDOT))
Sales tax when you move
- Highway Use Tax for a vehicle titled in your name in another state 90+ days (max $250): 3% of the vehicle's value, capped at $250, when the vehicle has been titled in the owner's name in another state for at least 90 days. Owned less than 90 days: full 3% with credit for tax paid to the other state.
Checklist before the DMV visit
- Your out-of-state title (or the lender's details if there is a loan) and current registration
- Proof of insurance that meets the state's requirements
- Your new driver license or ID, and proof of your new address
- Odometer reading; some states also need a VIN or safety/emissions inspection
- Proof of sales tax you paid when you bought the car, if it was recent (several states credit it or exempt you)
After that: yearly renewal
See registration and title fees in North Carolina for the yearly cost.
Official tools: NCDMV vehicle property tax estimator · NCDMV title and registration fees
Sources
- N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDOT): Highway-Use Tax (rendered tables)
- N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDOT): Title and Registration Fees (rendered tables)
- N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDOT): Vehicle Property Taxes
- North Carolina General Assembly (General Statutes): G.S. 20-73 New owner must get new certificate of title
- N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDOT): Moving to North Carolina
FAQ
How long do I have to register my car after moving to North Carolina?
New residents: title and register within: 60 days, per N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDOT).
Do I pay sales tax when I bring my car to North Carolina?
3% of the vehicle's value, capped at $250, when the vehicle has been titled in the owner's name in another state for at least 90 days. Owned less than 90 days: full 3% with credit for tax paid to the other state.
How much does it cost to register an out-of-state car in North Carolina?
About $363.00–$380.00 for a $20,000 car owned over a year (estimate of title and registration).