North Dakota vehicle excise tax calculator
The motor vehicle excise tax in North Dakota is 5.00% of the taxable amount.
tax.nd.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
By Mr. Voltage · Data checked Oct 3, 2026 · Page changed Oct 30, 2026
Where will you register the car?
North Dakota
Example quotes. Pick your place and type yours. Example: three quotes on one car in Harris County, North Dakota. Pick your own place and type your quotes.
Your deals at a glance
| Deal | Payment | All-in |
|---|---|---|
| $567.68a month | $39,061.02so far | |
| $512.82a month | $41,923.33so far | |
| $555.07a month | $38,304.35so far |
Estimate. Your dealer’s buyer’s order and your lender’s disclosures are the numbers that count. Check them against this.
Your numbers stay in this browser.
$567.68 a month · 60 payments
All-in $39,061.02 so far
$512.82 a month · 72 payments
All-in $41,923.33 so far
$555.07 a month · 60 payments
All-in $38,304.35 so far
Out-the-door $34,434.50 so far
so far: not including a doc fee yet. Enter your dealer’s.
Estimate. Your dealer’s buyer’s order and your lender’s disclosures are the numbers that count. Check them against this.
Out-the-door $35,164.25 so far
so far: not including a doc fee yet. Enter your dealer’s.
Estimate. Your dealer’s buyer’s order and your lender’s disclosures are the numbers that count. Check them against this.
Out-the-door $34,937.00 so far
so far: not including a doc fee yet. Enter your dealer’s.
Estimate. Your dealer’s buyer’s order and your lender’s disclosures are the numbers that count. Check them against this.
New · Gas · change
New or used
The sheet starts with a new car; each deal sets its own
Fuel
Gas car. Electric and plug-in hybrid cars pay a yearly road-use fee on top
Car or light truck
A car or SUV, which pays by shipping weight. A pickup pays by its gross vehicle weight rating on a different schedule that is not in the rules
Shipping weight
The research’s test car, a Tucson, at an assumed 3,500 lb: $93 a year in the first six years. From 4,500 lb it is $111 and below 3,200 lb $73. The certificate of origin gives the real shipping weight
Title history
A new car has no earlier title, so it pays the $1.50 abandoned vehicle tax
New · Gas · change
New or used
The sheet starts with a new car; each deal sets its own
Fuel
Gas car. Electric and plug-in hybrid cars pay a yearly road-use fee on top
Car or light truck
A car or SUV, which pays by shipping weight. A pickup pays by its gross vehicle weight rating on a different schedule that is not in the rules
Shipping weight
The research’s test car, a Tucson, at an assumed 3,500 lb: $93 a year in the first six years. From 4,500 lb it is $111 and below 3,200 lb $73. The certificate of origin gives the real shipping weight
Title history
A new car has no earlier title, so it pays the $1.50 abandoned vehicle tax
New · Gas · change
New or used
The sheet starts with a new car; each deal sets its own
Fuel
Gas car. Electric and plug-in hybrid cars pay a yearly road-use fee on top
Car or light truck
A car or SUV, which pays by shipping weight. A pickup pays by its gross vehicle weight rating on a different schedule that is not in the rules
Shipping weight
The research’s test car, a Tucson, at an assumed 3,500 lb: $93 a year in the first six years. From 4,500 lb it is $111 and below 3,200 lb $73. The certificate of origin gives the real shipping weight
Title history
A new car has no earlier title, so it pays the $1.50 abandoned vehicle tax
North Dakota law sets no figure for this fee.
North Dakota calls it a documentary fee.
It must be the same whether you pay cash or finance.
ndlegis.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
North Dakota law sets no figure for this fee.
North Dakota calls it a documentary fee.
It must be the same whether you pay cash or finance.
ndlegis.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
North Dakota law sets no figure for this fee.
North Dakota calls it a documentary fee.
It must be the same whether you pay cash or finance.
ndlegis.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No city or county tax on a car: Fargo’s 7.75% sales tax is on goods, not vehicles.
tax.nd.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No lien recording fee at the sale; a clean title costs $5 when the loan is paid off.
dot.nd.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No separate plate fee: standard plates come with the registration.
ndlegis.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No yearly property tax on a car; the registration fee is in place of it.
ndlegis.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No safety or emissions inspection to register a car.
dot.nd.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No set limit on the doc fee.
ndlegis.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No city or county tax on a car: Fargo’s 7.75% sales tax is on goods, not vehicles.
tax.nd.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No lien recording fee at the sale; a clean title costs $5 when the loan is paid off.
dot.nd.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No separate plate fee: standard plates come with the registration.
ndlegis.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No yearly property tax on a car; the registration fee is in place of it.
ndlegis.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No safety or emissions inspection to register a car.
dot.nd.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No set limit on the doc fee.
ndlegis.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No city or county tax on a car: Fargo’s 7.75% sales tax is on goods, not vehicles.
tax.nd.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No lien recording fee at the sale; a clean title costs $5 when the loan is paid off.
dot.nd.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No separate plate fee: standard plates come with the registration.
ndlegis.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No yearly property tax on a car; the registration fee is in place of it.
ndlegis.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No safety or emissions inspection to register a car.
dot.nd.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No set limit on the doc fee.
ndlegis.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
Your $5,000.00 down covers the $1,734.50 in tax and fees first; $3,265.50 goes toward the price.
Your $5,000.00 down covers the $1,769.25 in tax and fees first; $3,230.75 goes toward the price.
Your $5,000.00 down covers the $1,687.00 in tax and fees first; $3,313.00 goes toward the price.
Illustrative rate, not a quote. Your APR depends on your credit, the term, the vehicle and the lender.
Illustrative rate, not a quote. Your APR depends on your credit, the term, the vehicle and the lender.
Illustrative rate, not a quote. Your APR depends on your credit, the term, the vehicle and the lender.
60 payments, last $567.90
72 payments, last $513.11
60 payments, last $555.22
cash down plus every payment
cash down plus every payment
cash down plus every payment
Estimate. Your dealer’s buyer’s order and your lender’s disclosures are the numbers that count. Check them against this.
Estimate. Your dealer’s buyer’s order and your lender’s disclosures are the numbers that count. Check them against this.
Estimate. Your dealer’s buyer’s order and your lender’s disclosures are the numbers that count. Check them against this.
New clean title after the loan is paid off: $5.00 · due when the loan is paid off and the lender releases its lien
ndlegis.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
New clean title after the loan is paid off: $5.00 · due when the loan is paid off and the lender releases its lien
ndlegis.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
New clean title after the loan is paid off: $5.00 · due when the loan is paid off and the lender releases its lien
ndlegis.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
4 charges this total leaves out
4 charges this total leaves out
4 charges this total leaves out
What’s different in North Dakota
North Dakota calls it the motor vehicle excise tax.
ndlegis.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
A trade-in comes off the amount taxed at its full value, so only the difference is taxed.
ndlegis.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
Negative equity rolled into the new loan is not taxed.
ndlegis.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
North Dakota’s law sets no figure for the documentary fee.
ndlegis.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
No local sales tax applies to a car. The 5% excise is statewide, so Fargo’s 7.75% general rate does not reach it.
tax.nd.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
Worked examples
Each line below is worked by the same engine as the calculator, on the day this page was built (Nov 11, 2026).
A new car with a trade-in and negative equity
A new car at $32,700.00, with a trade-in allowed at $10,000.00 and $13,000.00 still owed, $5,000.00 down, financed at 5.90% for 60 months, bought from a dealer and registered in North Dakota’s example market.
| Line | Amount |
|---|---|
| Price | $32,700.00 |
| Trade-in allowance | $10,000.00 |
| Still owed on the trade-in | $13,000.00 |
| Equity (negative if you owe more than it is worth) | −$3,000.00 |
| Taxable price tax.nd.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $22,700.00 |
| North Dakota motor vehicle excise tax tax.nd.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $1,135.00 |
| Certificate of title fee ndlegis.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $5.00 |
| Abandoned vehicle disposal tax (first North Dakota title) ndlegis.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $1.50 |
| Registration fee (by shipping weight and years registered) ndlegis.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $93.00 |
| Out-the-door price | $33,934.50 |
| Cash down | $5,000.00 |
| Amount financed | $31,934.50 |
| Monthly payment | $615.90 |
| Interest over the loan | $5,019.48 |
| Total paid, interest included | $41,953.98 |
A used car from a dealer
A used car, model year 2022, at $21,500.00, $5,000.00 down, financed at 5.90% for 60 months, bought from a dealer and registered in North Dakota’s example market.
| Line | Amount |
|---|---|
| Price | $21,500.00 |
| Taxable price tax.nd.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $21,500.00 |
| North Dakota motor vehicle excise tax tax.nd.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $1,075.00 |
| Certificate of title fee ndlegis.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $5.00 |
| Registration fee (by shipping weight and years registered): needs the car’s year first registered, which this example doesn’t give | Not included |
| Out-the-door price | $22,580.00 |
| Cash down | $5,000.00 |
| Amount financed | $17,580.00 |
| Monthly payment | $339.05 |
| Interest over the loan | $2,763.22 |
| Total paid, interest included | $25,343.22 |
The rules in North Dakota
| Rule | What it says |
|---|---|
| Name of the tax | motor vehicle excise tax ndlegis.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| North Dakota motor vehicle excise tax | 5.00% of the taxable amount tax.nd.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| What is taxed | Taxed: the vehicle price, accessories fitted before delivery and protection packages. Not taxed: the doc fee, other dealer fees on the order, loose items sold with the car, service contracts, prepaid maintenance, GAP and government fees. tax.nd.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Trade-in | A trade-in comes off the amount taxed at its full value, so only the difference is taxed. ndlegis.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Maker’s rebate | A maker’s rebate lowers the amount taxed. ndlegis.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Dealer discount | A dealer discount lowers the amount taxed. ndlegis.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Negative equity | Negative equity rolled into the loan is not taxed. ndlegis.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Doc fee | The law sets no figure for the documentary fee. ndlegis.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Certificate of title fee | $5.00 ndlegis.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Registration fee (by shipping weight and years registered) | worked from the rule a year ndlegis.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Private-party purchase | 5% of the purchase price, paid by the buyer to the Motor Vehicle Division when titling, within 30 days of receiving the title. The same $5 title fee and a full year’s registration apply. dot.nd.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Tax paid to another state | A credit for sales, use or excise tax paid to another state, only if that state gives North Dakota a similar credit. If the other state’s tax was lower, the buyer pays the difference. ndlegis.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| New resident | Once resident (working and living here, or here 90 days in a row), you register the car and the 5% excise is due unless you show tax paid to a reciprocal state. How a car bought years earlier is valued is not confirmed. ndlegis.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Insurance payout on a totaled car | An insurance payout on a stolen or totaled car, plus your deductible, counts as a trade-in credit. It needs a notarized statement from the insurer, and the statement is good for 3 years. tax.nd.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Abandoned vehicle tax | $1.50 on a car’s first North Dakota title: new cars and cars new to the state. Not due on a used car already titled here. ndlegis.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Electric and hybrid vehicle fees | An electric car pays a road use fee of $120 a year and a plug-in hybrid $50, on top of the weight fee. An ordinary hybrid pays none. ndlegis.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Interest rate markup | We found no North Dakota statute that limits a dealer’s markup over the lender’s rate. That is the absence of a rule, not a quoted rule. ndlegis.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
What has changed
· Watching: North Dakota’s 2027 legislative session (starts 2027-01-05) and NDDOT’s new calendar-year fee schedule, A bill to charge the excise by the age of the car (HB 1436 of 2025) failed; changes enacted in 2027 normally take effect 2027-08-01, and NDDOT publishes a new schedule each January.
ndlegis.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
· The rules on this page start here. Nothing earlier is loaded.
Questions people ask
How does North Dakota tax a car, and what is the motor vehicle excise tax?
North Dakota charges a motor vehicle excise tax of 5% of the purchase price, in place of state and local sales tax. The rate is the same for new and used cars, from a dealer or a private seller, and there is no minimum or maximum. The price taxed is the total selling price, including accessories, dealer preparation, freight and delivery, less a trade-in allowance, a maker’s rebate applied at the sale and an auction fee. Dealers collect the tax at the sale and send it to the Motor Vehicle Division as a customer service. You may instead pay it yourself at the Motor Vehicle Division when you register. No title or registration is issued until it is paid.
tax.nd.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
ndlegis.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
ndlegis.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
Is the North Dakota dealer doc fee capped?
We found no dollar limit in North Dakota law. In the chapters read, no statute or rule sets, defines or presumes reasonable a dealer documentary fee, or requires it to be posted. A full-text search of the Century Code was not available, so a rule elsewhere cannot be ruled out. The fee is not part of the price the 5% excise is figured on, when it is charged as its own line. Folded into the car’s price, it would be taxed with it. On a retail installment contract with a cash price up to $25,000, the state’s Retail Installment Sales Act requires the contract to itemize the cash price, official fees and finance charge. Above $25,000 that Act does not apply.
ndlegis.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
tax.nd.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
ndlegis.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
Does a trade-in lower North Dakota's excise tax, and what if I owe on it?
Yes. The full trade-in allowance comes off the selling price before the 5% is figured, on new and used cars, with no dollar limit. The traded car must be named on the papers by year, make and VIN. If you owe more on the trade than it is worth, the full allowance still comes off. The payoff is financed, not taxed. Selling your old car yourself gives no credit: a cash payment to a person for their car is not a trade-in credit for the next purchase.
ndlegis.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
tax.nd.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
What do title and registration cost in North Dakota?
The title fee is $5. A car’s first North Dakota title also pays a $1.50 abandoned vehicle tax. Registration is a yearly fee set by the car’s shipping weight and the years since it was first registered, not its model year or price. For a passenger car of 3,200 to 4,499 lb it is $93 in years 1 to 6, $81 in years 7 to 9, $69 in years 10 to 12 and $57 from year 13. The shipping weight is on the maker’s certificate of origin; the 3,500 lb our example uses is an assumption. A pickup is registered by its gross vehicle weight rating instead. Standard plates come with the registration at no extra charge, and no separate fee is charged to record a loan on the title. On a used car the plates stay with the seller, so the buyer pays a full year’s fee.
ndlegis.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
ndlegis.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
ndlegis.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
dot.nd.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
dot.nd.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
I bought a car out of state or from a private seller. What do I pay in North Dakota?
A North Dakota resident who buys elsewhere pays the 5% excise at the Motor Vehicle Division when titling. A title application within 30 days of purchase is presumed to be for use in North Dakota. Tax paid to another state is credited only if that state gives North Dakota a similar credit. If it was the same or more, nothing more is due; if it was less, you pay the difference. The Registration Manual says no credit can be given for Alaska, Delaware, Georgia, Montana, New Hampshire or Oregon. A purchase from a private seller pays the same 5% on the price actually paid, to the Motor Vehicle Division when you title it. Book value is used only for a gift or a sale at a nominal price, and gifts between close family members are exempt.
dot.nd.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
ndlegis.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026