Overview
Buying a bike still triggers the same title and tax steps as a car: the $5 title fee and 5% excise tax on the purchase price (minus trade-in on a dealer deal), both due at your county NDDOT motor vehicle branch. Electric motorcycles add a small $20 annual road use fee on top of the flat $15 base. The calculator below covers a new purchase or a straight annual renewal.
01 - Official fees
North Dakota motorcycle fees fees at a glance
| Fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Motorcycle / moped registration | $15.00/yr | flat, any weight or age |
| Electric motorcycle road use fee | $20.00/yr | |
| Certificate of title (new purchase) | $5.00 | |
| Excise tax (new purchase) | 5% | of price minus trade-in |
Figures verified June 2026 against official sources (listed below). Always confirm the final amount with your county's NDDOT motor vehicle branch office - counties can add small local fees.
03 - Same state, other costs
More North Dakota vehicle costs
04 - Common questions
North Dakota motorcycle fees FAQ
How much is motorcycle registration in North Dakota per year?
A flat $15 - the only variable is whether it's electric, which adds a $20 road use fee for $35 total. Unlike passenger cars, motorcycle registration doesn't depend on weight or how many years it's been registered.
Do motorcycles pay the same excise tax as cars?
Yes - 5% of the purchase price minus any trade-in, with the same family-gift exemption and fair-market-value review on lowballed private sales that apply to cars.
Why don't motorcycles use the weight×age matrix like passenger vehicles?
North Dakota's registration statute sets motorcycles as their own flat-fee category (NDCC 39-04-19), separate from the passenger vehicle schedule that scales by weight class and registration year. It's a deliberate simplification, not an oversight.
Do motorcycles need an inspection to register in North Dakota?
No - same as passenger vehicles, North Dakota doesn't require a routine safety or emissions inspection for motorcycle registration.
How do I register a motorcycle I built or imported?
Custom and kit-built bikes need a North Dakota-assigned VIN and inspection before NDDOT will issue a title, then the normal $15 flat registration applies once that's done. Expect extra lead time versus a standard dealer purchase.
Are electric bicycles or low-speed scooters registered the same way?
Only if they're titled as a motorcycle or moped under state law. True e-bikes that meet the low-speed bicycle definition generally don't require registration at all - check with your county branch office if you're unsure which category your machine falls into.
05 - Receipts
Official sources
Every number on this page comes from these documents - check them yourself.