Guides
The DMVCosts Blog
Practical guides to vehicle taxes, registration and title fees, and DMV paperwork - state by state, without the jargon.
Latest articles
LatestTax, Title & LicenseOctober 3, 202610 min read
No Sales Tax on Cars? What Delaware, Montana, and New Hampshire Charge Instead
No sales tax doesn't always mean cheap. See what Delaware, Montana, and New Hampshire charge instead: document fees, MSRP-based registration, and local taxes.
Read full articleRegistration & RenewalSeptember 26, 202611 min read
Nevada Registration: The Governmental Services Tax That Punishes New Cars
Nevada's GST registration fee is based on MSRP, not what you paid. Learn how depreciation softens the blow and why two similar cars pay very different amounts.
Tax, Title & LicenseSeptember 19, 202611 min read
Private Seller Sales Tax: When the DMV Taxes Book Value, Not the Price You Paid
Most states tax the price you paid for a used car, but some use book value. Here's how private-party sales tax works at the DMV and which states differ.
Registration & RenewalSeptember 12, 202612 min read
California Registration Renewal: Every Fee on Your DMV Bill Explained
California registration renewal fees explained: VLF calculation, weight fee, county add-ons, smog abatement, EV fee, and a full example of what a car costs each year.
Registration & RenewalSeptember 5, 202613 min read
Boat Registration Renewal: Costs, Cycles, and Late Fee Traps
Boat registration renewal costs and cycles vary by state. See how Illinois and Iowa handle it, and learn the late fee traps that catch boat owners.
Tax, Title & LicenseAugust 29, 202610 min read
Financing a Car: Rolling Tax, Title, and License Into Your Loan
Learn how tax, title, and license fees fit into your car loan. See real TTL costs, which states allow rolling them in, and what it costs in interest.
Registration & RenewalAugust 22, 202612 min read
Not the DMV: How Fish & Game, DNR, and Parks Offices Set Your Boat Fees
Boat registration isn't always a DMV task. See how Arizona Game & Fish, Minnesota DNR, and other wildlife agencies set fees and handle titles differently.