How Much Does It Cost To Register a Car in Utah From Out of State
New Utah residents registering a vehicle from another state must complete registration through the Utah State Tax Commission Motor Vehicle Division. Utah law requires individuals establishing residency to register their vehicles within 60 days of relocating to the state. The Utah Motor Vehicle Act governs all registration requirements and fee structures administered by county motor vehicle offices throughout Utah.
Base Registration and Title Fees
Utah assesses registration fees based on vehicle age, type, and value. The Utah State Tax Commission establishes standardized fee schedules applicable to all registration transactions processed through designated county clerk offices. Registration costs include multiple components: base registration fees, uniform fees, title application charges, and administrative processing fees.
Vehicle Registration Fees
The state calculates registration fees using a tiered structure that considers vehicle age and the original manufacturer's suggested retail price. Current fee information is maintained by the Motor Vehicle Division, following Utah Code Section 41-1a-1206.
Standard Annual Registration Fees
| Vehicle Type | Registration Fee |
|---|---|
| Motorcycles | $46.00 |
| Passenger vehicles and light trucks (12,000 lbs or less gross laden weight) | $44.00 |
| Trailers or semi-trailers (over 750 lbs gross unladen weight) | $31.00 |
| Commercial trailers or commercial semi-trailers (750 lbs or less) | $28.50 |
| Farm trucks (over 12,000 lbs, up to 14,000 lbs) | $53.00 + $9.00 per 2,000 lbs over 14,000 lbs |
| Motor vehicles excluding farm trucks (over 12,000 lbs, up to 14,000 lbs) | $69.50 + $19.00 per 2,000 lbs over 14,000 lbs |
| Park model recreational vehicles (over 12,000 lbs, up to 14,000 lbs) | $69.50 + $19.00 per 2,000 lbs over 14,000 lbs |
| Vintage vehicles (model year 1983 or newer) | $45.00 + $0.50 additional fee |
| Vintage vehicles (model year 1982 or older) - initial registration only | $40.00 (exempt from renewal fees) |
| Roadable aircraft | $28.50 |
| Commercial trailer special registration (alternative option) | $130.00 |
Additional Fees for Alternative Fuel Vehicles (added to base registration)
| Vehicle Category | Additional Fee |
|---|---|
| Electric motor vehicles | Road usage charge cap amount (per Section 72-1-213.1) |
| Vehicles fueled exclusively by non-traditional sources | Road usage charge cap amount (per Section 72-1-213.1) |
| Hybrid electric motor vehicles | $21.75 |
| Plug-in hybrid electric motor vehicles | $56.50 |
Six-Month Registration Period Fees
| Vehicle Type | Registration Fee |
|---|---|
| Motorcycles (6-month registration) | $34.50 |
| Motor vehicles 12,000 lbs or less (6-month registration) | $33.50 |
| Electric motor vehicles (6-month, additional) | Road usage charge cap amount |
| Hybrid electric motor vehicles (6-month, additional) | $16.50 |
| Plug-in hybrid electric motor vehicles (6-month, additional) | $43.50 |
Mandatory Additional Registration Fees
| Registration Type | Additional Fee |
|---|---|
| Annual registration (added to most vehicle types) | $7.00 |
| Six-month registration (added to motorcycles and vehicles 12,000 lbs or less) | $5.00 |
Exemptions:
- Vintage vehicles with a model year of 1982 or older are exempt from renewal registration fees
- Purple Heart special group license plate vehicles are exempt from registration fees
- Campers are exempt from registration fees
- Trucks used exclusively for cement pumping, well boring, or crane services (5+ ton capacity) receive a 50% fee reduction
Title Application Fees
Utah requires a certificate of title to be issued for motor vehicles regardless of model year.
Title Transaction Fees:
| Transaction Type | Fee Amount |
|---|---|
| Original certificate of title | $6.00 |
| Duplicate certificate of title | $6.00 |
| Title correction, including name change and lien release | $6.00 |
New Resident Fee and Use Tax
Utah assesses taxation on motor vehicles through an age-based uniform fee structure rather than traditional sales tax collection. The Utah State Tax Commission administers this system for all vehicle registration transactions within the state.
Mandatory Uniform Fees
Utah imposes mandatory uniform fees on all registered vehicles to fund specific state programs. These charges are based on the vehicle's age or fair market value. Age-based fees apply to vehicles from 2017 to 2022, with older vehicles having a lesser fee.
Uniform Age-Based Fee:
| Vehicle Age Group | Amount |
|---|---|
| 2022-2020 | $110.00 |
| 2019-2017 | $80.00 |
| 2016-2014 | $50.00 |
| 2013 and older | $10.00 |
Vehicles subject to a uniform age-based fee include passenger vehicles, off-highway recreational vehicles, street motorcycles, vessels under 31 feet in length, trailers, truck campers, non-commercial trailers, small motor vehicles, personal watercraft, and park model recreational vehicles. For other vehicles, a uniform fee-in-lieu of property tax are subject to a flat fee of 1.5% or 1.0% of the vehicle's fair market value in place of property tax.
County Option Sales Tax
County governments may impose additional taxation on vehicle registrations through locally authorized measures. These optional taxes fund county transportation infrastructure and vary by jurisdiction based on voter-approved ballot initiatives. The County Option Sales Tax rates differ across Utah's 29 counties, and registrants should verify applicable local rates with their county motor vehicle office.
Vehicle Inspection Requirements and Fees
Utah mandates safety and emissions inspections for certain vehicles as a condition of registration eligibility. The Utah Department of Environmental Quality and Utah Highway Patrol jointly administer inspection programs throughout designated testing areas.
Safety Inspection Program
Vehicles requiring safety inspections must undergo examination by authorized inspection stations. The Utah Safety Inspection Program identifies specific vehicle categories subject to mandatory inspection requirements.
Safety Inspection Fees:
| Vehicle Type | Maximum Allowable Fee |
|---|---|
| Motorcycles and street-legal ATVs | $14.00 |
| Passenger cars and light trucks | $30.00 |
| Trailers | $30.00 |
Emissions Inspection Program
Northern Utah counties require emissions testing for gasoline-powered vehicles. The Vehicle Emissions Inspection mandate applies to vehicles registered in Cache, Davis, Salt Lake, Weber, and Utah.
Emissions Testing Fees:
| Vehicle Type | Fee Amount |
|---|---|
| Passenger cars '96 and newer, SUVs, and light trucks | Up to $39.00 |
| Trucks over 1/2 ton | Up to $55.00 |
Government Agencies and Contact Information
Utah State Tax Commission - Motor Vehicle Division
210 North 1950 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84134
Phone: (801) 297-2200
Official Website: Utah State Tax Commission
The Utah State Tax Commission Motor Vehicle Division oversees all vehicle registration, titling, and taxation programs administered through county motor vehicle offices. The division maintains vehicle ownership records, processes title applications, and ensures compliance with motor vehicle statutes throughout the state of Utah.
Utah Division of Motor Vehicle Offices
South Valley DMV Office
14555 South Minuteman Drive (50 East), Draper, UT 84020
Phone: (801) 297-7780
Official Website: South Valley DMV Office
Provo DMV Office
150 East Center #1400, Provo, UT 84606
Phone: (800) 368-8824
Official Website: Provo DMV Office
Davis County DMV Office
969 W Clark Lane, Farmington, UT 84025
Phone: (801) 297-7780
Official Website: Davis County DMV Office
Ogden DMV Office
2447 Lincoln Avenue (near 25th St & Wall Ave), Ogden, UT 84401
Phone: (801) 297-7780
Official Website: Ogden DMV Office
Washington County DMV Office
100 South 5300 West, Hurricane, UT 84737
Phone: (800) 368-8824
Official Website: Washington County DMV Office
Cache County DMV Office
179 North Main, Suite 209, Logan, UT 84321
Phone: (435) 755-1610
Official Website: Cache County DMV Office
Richfield DMV Office
250 North Main, Richfield, UT 84701
Phone: (800) 368-8824
Official Website: Richfield DMV Office
Tooele County DMV Office
47 South Main, Tooele, UT 84074
Phone: (435) 843-3190
Official Website: Tooele County DMV Office
Box Elder DMV Office
35 East 100 South, Brigham City, UT 84302
Phone: (435) 734-3341
Official Website: Box Elder DMV Office
Morgan DMV Office
48 West Young, Morgan, UT 84050
Phone: (801) 829-6644
Official Website: Morgan DMV Office
