Car registration and title fees in Washington
Washington: registering a 2022 gas car (3,500 lb) costs about $92.75–$142.75 a year. An electric car pays $225.00 a year more.
Title on a dealer purchase: $64.50.
Estimate of government fees. Your renewal notice or DMV calculates the final amount.
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Yearly lines for a 2022 gas car
| Line | Group | Amount | Set by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle license fee (passenger car / SUV) | Registration & plates | $30.00 | Washington State Legislature (RCW) |
| Registration filing fee | Registration & plates | $6.00 | Washington State Legislature (RCW) |
| Registration service fee | Registration & plates | $11.00 | Washington State Legislature (RCW) |
| License service fee | Registration & plates | $0.75 | Washington State Department of Licensing |
| Motor vehicle weight fee (by scale/empty weight) | Registration & plates | $35.00 | Washington State Legislature (RCW) |
| Additional weight fee | Registration & plates | $10.00 | Washington State Department of Licensing |
| Local transportation benefit district (TBD) fee | Registration & plates | $0.00–$50.00 | Washington State Department of Licensing |
| Sound Transit RTA motor vehicle excise tax (only inside the Sound Transit district) | Yearly taxes | you fill in | Washington State Department of Licensing |
Electric vehicles
- Electric vehicle renewal fee: $100.00 (Washington State Legislature (RCW))
- Electric vehicle additional renewal fee: $50.00 (Washington State Legislature (RCW))
- Transportation electrification fee: $75.00 (Washington State Department of Licensing)
Hybrids and plug-in hybrids
- Hybrid vehicle transportation electrification fee: $75.00
Value-based or property taxes
- Sound Transit RTA motor vehicle excise tax (only inside the Sound Transit district): Only for residents of the Sound Transit district (parts of King, Pierce, Snohomish counties); $0 elsewhere. Due at purchase and every renewal. Rate per row = 1.1% x the depreciation percentage for the year of service (current year - model year + 1). Light trucks over 6,000 lb scale weight follow different rules.
Title fees
| Line | Group | Amount | Set by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certificate of title application fee (dealer sale or lease) | Title | $40.00 | Washington State Legislature (RCW) |
| Title filing fee | Title | $6.50 | Washington State Legislature (RCW) |
| Title service fee | Title | $18.00 | Washington State Legislature (RCW) |
Late fees
We found no late-renewal fee amount in Washington's official pages.
Official tools: DOL: Calculate your vehicle tab fees (plate or VIN needed) · DOL: Estimate your RTA excise tax (new vehicles) · DOR: Sales tax rate lookup by address
Sources
- Washington State Legislature (RCW): RCW 46.17.350 License fees by vehicle type
- Washington State Legislature (RCW): RCW 46.17.005 Filing fees
- Washington State Legislature (RCW): RCW 46.17.040 Service fees
- Washington State Department of Licensing: Calculate vehicle tab fees
- Washington State Legislature (RCW): RCW 46.17.365 Motor vehicle weight fee
- Washington State Department of Licensing: Local transportation benefit district fees
- Washington State Department of Licensing: Regional Transit Authority (RTA) tax
- Washington State Legislature (RCW): RCW 46.17.323 Electric vehicle registration renewal fees
- Washington State Legislature (RCW): RCW 46.17.324 Transportation electrification fee
- Washington State Legislature (RCW): RCW 82.08.020 Tax imposed - Retail sales
- Washington Department of Revenue: Motor vehicle sales/use tax
- Washington Department of Revenue: Vehicles brought into Washington from out-of-state
- Washington State Legislature (RCW): RCW 46.17.100 Application fee (certificate of title)
- Washington State Legislature (RCW): RCW 46.17.200 License plate fees
- Washington State Legislature (RCW): RCW 46.16A.200 License plates
- Washington State Department of Licensing: Buy and register a vehicle
FAQ
How much does it cost to register a car in Washington?
About $92.75–$142.75 a year for a 2022 gas car of 3,500 lb (estimate from the official fee schedule).
Does Washington charge an extra fee for electric cars?
An electric car pays about $225.00 a year more than the same gas car, from the official fee pages.
How much is a title in Washington?
$64.50 on a dealer purchase, from the official fee schedule.
Is there a yearly car property tax in Washington?
Sound Transit RTA motor vehicle excise tax (only inside the Sound Transit district)
More for Washington
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Estimates of government taxes and fees from official sources; your DMV or county calculates the final amount; not tax or legal advice. Every figure is taken from an official state page (quoted and dated in the sources) and can change. Dealer-set fees are not government fees. Exemptions are described, never applied for you: check the official rule and form.