DC vehicle excise tax calculator
The motor vehicle excise tax in the District of Columbia is 1.00% to 11.00% of the fair market value, set by the car’s curb weight and city miles per gallon.
dmv.dc.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
By Mr. Voltage · Data checked Oct 3, 2026 · Page changed Oct 30, 2026
Where will you register the car?
District of Columbia
Example quotes. Pick your place and type yours. Example: three quotes on one car in Harris County, District of Columbia. Pick your own place and type your quotes.
Your deals at a glance
| Deal | Payment | All-in |
|---|---|---|
| $568.27a month | $39,096.36so far | |
| $512.07a month | $41,869.13so far | |
| $557.13a month | $38,427.86so 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.
$568.27 a month · 60 payments
All-in $39,096.36 so far
$512.07 a month · 72 payments
All-in $41,869.13 so far
$557.13 a month · 60 payments
All-in $38,427.86 so far
Out-the-door $34,465.00 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.
Out-the-door $35,120.00 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.
Out-the-door $35,042.50 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.
New · Gas · change
New or used
The sheet starts with a new car; each deal sets its own
Fuel
Gas car. An electric car pays the excise at 1% to 3% by weight, and a new one under 5,000 lb registers for $40
Curb weight
The research’s test car, a 2026 Tucson SEL, at 3,494 lb. DMV picks the excise rate by unladen weight, read here as the curb weight: from 3,500 lb the rate is one point higher
Shipping weight
The research’s test car at 3,494 lb or a little less. Registration goes by the manufacturer’s shipping weight: from 3,500 lb it is $175 a year, not $70
City miles per gallon
The research’s test car: 25 city mpg. DMV reads the EPA city figure rounded down, not combined mpg; find it at fueleconomy.gov
New · Gas · change
New or used
The sheet starts with a new car; each deal sets its own
Fuel
Gas car. An electric car pays the excise at 1% to 3% by weight, and a new one under 5,000 lb registers for $40
Curb weight
The research’s test car, a 2026 Tucson SEL, at 3,494 lb. DMV picks the excise rate by unladen weight, read here as the curb weight: from 3,500 lb the rate is one point higher
Shipping weight
The research’s test car at 3,494 lb or a little less. Registration goes by the manufacturer’s shipping weight: from 3,500 lb it is $175 a year, not $70
City miles per gallon
The research’s test car: 25 city mpg. DMV reads the EPA city figure rounded down, not combined mpg; find it at fueleconomy.gov
New · Gas · change
New or used
The sheet starts with a new car; each deal sets its own
Fuel
Gas car. An electric car pays the excise at 1% to 3% by weight, and a new one under 5,000 lb registers for $40
Curb weight
The research’s test car, a 2026 Tucson SEL, at 3,494 lb. DMV picks the excise rate by unladen weight, read here as the curb weight: from 3,500 lb the rate is one point higher
Shipping weight
The research’s test car at 3,494 lb or a little less. Registration goes by the manufacturer’s shipping weight: from 3,500 lb it is $175 a year, not $70
City miles per gallon
The research’s test car: 25 city mpg. DMV reads the EPA city figure rounded down, not combined mpg; find it at fueleconomy.gov
The District of Columbia law sets no figure for this fee.
The District of Columbia calls it a documentary fee.
dlcp.dc.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
The District of Columbia law sets no figure for this fee.
The District of Columbia calls it a documentary fee.
dlcp.dc.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
The District of Columbia law sets no figure for this fee.
The District of Columbia calls it a documentary fee.
dlcp.dc.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
DMV taxes a car’s NADA value, and doesn’t say how it values a brand-new one. A new car’s value is taken here as its price with destination. Each $1,000 DMV’s value is above or below the price moves the tax by $50 at 5.0% (the test car’s rate).
DMV taxes a car’s NADA value, and doesn’t say how it values a brand-new one. A new car’s value is taken here as its price with destination. Each $1,000 DMV’s value is above or below the price moves the tax by $50 at 5.0% (the test car’s rate).
DMV taxes a car’s NADA value, and doesn’t say how it values a brand-new one. A new car’s value is taken here as its price with destination. Each $1,000 DMV’s value is above or below the price moves the tax by $50 at 5.0% (the test car’s rate).
- No sales tax on the car: the excise tax replaces it. The District is one jurisdiction, with no county or city tax.
code.dccouncil.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No plate fee: the plates come with the registration.
dmv.dc.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No yearly property tax on the car: registration renews by weight only.
dmv.dc.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No electric or hybrid surcharge.
dmv.dc.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No sales tax on the car: the excise tax replaces it. The District is one jurisdiction, with no county or city tax.
code.dccouncil.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No plate fee: the plates come with the registration.
dmv.dc.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No yearly property tax on the car: registration renews by weight only.
dmv.dc.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No electric or hybrid surcharge.
dmv.dc.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No sales tax on the car: the excise tax replaces it. The District is one jurisdiction, with no county or city tax.
code.dccouncil.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No plate fee: the plates come with the registration.
dmv.dc.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No yearly property tax on the car: registration renews by weight only.
dmv.dc.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No electric or hybrid surcharge.
dmv.dc.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
Your $5,000.00 down covers the $1,765.00 in tax and fees first; $3,235.00 goes toward the price.
Your $5,000.00 down covers the $1,725.00 in tax and fees first; $3,275.00 goes toward the price.
Your $5,000.00 down covers the $1,792.50 in tax and fees first; $3,207.50 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 $568.43
72 payments, last $512.16
60 payments, last $557.19
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.
4 charges this total leaves out
4 charges this total leaves out
4 charges this total leaves out
What’s different in District of Columbia
The District of Columbia calls it the motor vehicle excise tax.
code.dccouncil.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
A trade-in does not lower the amount taxed. That point is not confirmed.
code.dccouncil.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
Negative equity rolled into the new loan is not taxed.
code.dccouncil.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
The District of Columbia’s law sets no figure for the documentary fee. That point is not confirmed.
dlcp.dc.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
Electric cars are no longer exempt. Since February 17, 2025 they pay the excise at 1.0%, 2.0% or 3.0% by weight, and a new one under 5,000 lb registers for $40 a year.
dmv.dc.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 the District of Columbia’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 |
| Fair market value dmv.dc.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $32,700.00 |
| Motor vehicle excise tax dmv.dc.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $1,635.00 |
| Title fee code.dccouncil.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $30.00 |
| Registration fee code.dccouncil.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $70.00 |
| Lien recordation fee code.dccouncil.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $20.00 |
| New-car inspection sticker (4 years) dmv.dc.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $10.00 |
| Out-the-door price | $34,465.00 |
| Cash down | $5,000.00 |
| Amount financed | $32,465.00 |
| Monthly payment | $626.13 |
| Interest over the loan | $5,102.89 |
| Total paid, interest included | $42,567.89 |
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 the District of Columbia’s example market.
| Line | Amount |
|---|---|
| Price | $21,500.00 |
| Title fee code.dccouncil.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $30.00 |
| Registration fee code.dccouncil.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $70.00 |
| Lien recordation fee code.dccouncil.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $20.00 |
| Inspection fee (2 years) dmv.dc.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $35.00 |
| Motor vehicle excise tax: needs the car’s book value, which this example doesn’t give | Not included |
| Out-the-door price | $21,655.00 |
| Cash down | $5,000.00 |
| Amount financed | $16,655.00 |
| Monthly payment | $321.21 |
| Interest over the loan | $2,617.91 |
| Total paid, interest included | $24,272.91 |
The rules in District of Columbia
| Rule | What it says |
|---|---|
| Name of the tax | motor vehicle excise tax code.dccouncil.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Motor vehicle excise tax | worked by the calculator from the rule of the taxable amount, in some deals dmv.dc.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Motor vehicle excise tax | worked by the calculator from the rule of the taxable amount, in some deals dmv.dc.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| What is taxed | Not taxed: the doc fee, other dealer fees on the order, accessories fitted before delivery, protection packages, loose items sold with the car, service contracts, GAP, prepaid maintenance and government fees. Depends on the deal: the vehicle price. dmv.dc.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Trade-in | A trade-in does not lower the amount taxed. That point is not confirmed. code.dccouncil.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Maker’s rebate | A maker’s rebate does not lower the amount taxed. That point is not confirmed. dmv.dc.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Dealer discount | A dealer discount does not lower the amount taxed. dmv.dc.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Negative equity | Negative equity rolled into the loan is not taxed. code.dccouncil.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Doc fee | The law sets no figure for the documentary fee. That point is not confirmed. dlcp.dc.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Title fee | $30.00 code.dccouncil.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Registration fee | worked from the rule a year code.dccouncil.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Registration fee (new electric car) | $40.00 a year code.dccouncil.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Registration fee | worked from the rule a year dmv.dc.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Private-party purchase | The same excise, paid by the buyer at a DC DMV service center when titling. dmv.dc.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Tax paid to another state | No credit in DC’s law; the full excise is due when the car is titled in DC. Whether DMV ever gives a credit administratively is not confirmed. code.dccouncil.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| New resident | No excise on a car titled or registered in another state before you became a DC resident. Title, registration and inspection still apply. code.dccouncil.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Gift within the family | Exempt between spouses, domestic partners, or parent and child, only if the car already has a DC title. code.dccouncil.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Inspection | A new car gets a $10 sticker for 4 years at registration, with no inspection. A used car pays $35 for 2 years, also at registration. dmv.dc.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Earned income tax credit option | A buyer who qualifies for the District’s EITC may pay the 6%, 7% or 8% weight-class rate instead of the mpg rate, whichever costs less. dmv.dc.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Finance rate ceiling | On a dealer’s retail installment contract: 21.5% APR on a new car of the current model year, 23.5% up to 2 years old, 27% up to 4 years old, and 28.33% for an older car. code.dccouncil.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
What has changed
· The rules on this page start here. Nothing earlier is loaded.
Questions people ask
What is the DC vehicle excise tax?
It is the tax DC charges when it issues a title for a car, in place of sales tax: there is no DC sales tax on the car itself, and no local tax on top. It is a percentage of the car’s fair market value, as the current NADA Business Guide for the Eastern Region defines it at the time you apply, not the price you paid. There is no minimum or maximum. How DMV values a brand-new car is not confirmed. Our sheet takes a new car’s price, with the destination charge, as its value; for a used car, type the value DMV gives. Most new-car dealers collect the tax and title the car for you. DMV does not hand over the title until the tax is paid in full.
code.dccouncil.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
code.dccouncil.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
dmv.dc.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
dmv.dc.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
How do weight and city mpg set the DC excise rate?
DMV picks the rate from the car’s unladen weight and its EPA city mpg, rounded down to the nearest whole number. For a car of 3,499 lb or less it is 9.0% at 20 mpg or less, 5.0% at 21 to 25, 3.1% at 26 to 30, 2.2% at 31 to 39 and 1.5% at 40 or more. From 3,500 to 4,999 lb the same bands are 10.0%, 6.0%, 4.1%, 3.2% and 2.5%. At 5,000 lb or more they are 11.0%, 7.0%, 5.1%, 4.2% and 3.5%. An electric car pays 1.0%, 2.0% or 3.0% by weight. The edges matter: on a $32,700 value at 25 city mpg, 3,499 lb pays 5.0%, $1,635.00, and 3,500 lb pays 6.0%, $1,962.00.
dmv.dc.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
Is the DC dealer doc fee capped?
We found no dollar limit in District of Columbia law for a dealer’s documentary or processing fee. That finding is not confirmed: it rests on finding no such fee named in the laws and rules the research read. What applies is the Consumer Protection Procedures Act’s duty to post prices and tell customers the price before the transaction. The doc fee is not part of the excise base, because the tax is on the car’s value. A new-car dealer’s temporary registration certificate has no fee. Complaints go to the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP).
dlcp.dc.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
code.dccouncil.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
dmv.dc.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
Does a trade-in lower DC's excise tax?
No. The tax is on the fair market value of the car you buy, which a trade-in does not change. No primary source mentions trade-ins either way, so this is not confirmed; it follows from the tax being on a book value. For the same reason a maker’s rebate and a dealer discount do not lower it: a discount lowers the price, not the NADA value DMV applies. Negative equity rolled into the new loan is not taxed. It changes only the amount financed.
code.dccouncil.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
dmv.dc.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
I bought a car in Maryland or Virginia. What do I pay in DC?
A DC resident who buys from a Maryland or Virginia dealer titles the car in DC and pays the DC excise, at DMV or through the dealer if it files in DC. DC’s law has no credit for tax paid to another state, so a buyer who paid another state’s tax still owes the full excise. Whether DMV ever gives a credit administratively is not confirmed. Whether the other state’s dealer charges its own tax is that state’s rule. A new resident owes no excise on a car titled or registered in another state before moving to DC, but pays the $30 title, registration and inspection.
dmv.dc.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
code.dccouncil.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
Is a private car sale taxed in DC?
Yes, with the same excise, paid by the buyer at a DC DMV service center when titling. It is figured on the car’s NADA Eastern Region value, not the price paid. Which NADA column DMV uses is not confirmed. A gift between spouses, domestic partners, or parent and child is exempt, but only if the car already has a DC title. A used car must pass DC’s inspection before it is registered. The fee, $35 for 2 years, is paid at registration.
dmv.dc.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
dmv.dc.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
code.dccouncil.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
dmv.dc.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026