Overview
Buy a motorcycle and the same tax-title-registration trio as a car applies: 6.35% sales tax (7.75% if you're somehow over $50,000), the $25 title fee, and the registration stack above. The one real break riders get: motorcycles are exempt from Connecticut's emissions testing program entirely, at every renewal, regardless of model year.
01 - Official fees
Connecticut motorcycle fees fees at a glance
| Fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Base registration (motorcycle, 3-year) | $63.00 | |
| Plate fee | $5.00 | |
| Administrative fee | $10.00 | |
| Clean Air Act fee | $10.00 | |
| Passport to the Parks fee | $72.00 | $24/yr × 3-year term |
| Title fee (new purchase) | $25.00 | |
| Sales tax (new purchase) | 6.35% / 7.75% | over $50,000 taxable amount |
Figures verified June 2026 against official sources (listed below). Always confirm the final amount with the Connecticut DMV (plus your town tax collector for the annual property tax) - counties can add small local fees.
03 - Same state, other costs
More Connecticut vehicle costs
04 - Common questions
Connecticut motorcycle fees FAQ
How much does it cost to register a motorcycle in Connecticut?
About $155 for the full 3-year registration: $63 base + $5 plate + $10 admin + $10 Clean Air Act fee + $72 Passport to the Parks. That works out to roughly $52 a year, cheaper than the roughly $63/year for a passenger car.
Do motorcycles pay the same sales tax as cars in Connecticut?
Yes - 6.35% standard, 7.75% if the taxable amount (price minus trade-in) exceeds $50,000, with the same rules on private-sale NADA value comparisons and the AU-463 gift exemption. There's no motorcycle-specific tax discount.
Do motorcycles need emissions testing in Connecticut?
No - motorcycles are exempt from CT's emissions inspection program at every renewal, regardless of model year. It's one of the few unconditional exemptions in the program, alongside EVs and vehicles over 10,000 lbs.
Does a motorcycle owe the town property tax too?
Yes - motorcycles are personal property just like cars, assessed at 70% of value and billed annually by your town at its motor vehicle mill rate (capped at 32.46 mills statewide). The DMV registration fee doesn't cover this.
Can I register a moped the same way?
Mopeds and other limited-speed motorcycles generally register through the same DMV process, though some very low-powered mopeds fall under separate limited registration rules - check your specific model's classification with the DMV before assuming the standard motorcycle fee applies.
Is there a reduced registration fee for electric motorcycles?
CT's published reduced EV registration rate is specifically for electric passenger vehicles; the state's fee schedule does not list a separate reduced triennial rate for electric motorcycles, so budget for the standard $63 base fee unless the DMV confirms otherwise for your model.
05 - Receipts
Official sources
Every number on this page comes from these documents - check them yourself.