Overview
Buying a bike brings the same $14 title fee and three-layer sales tax as a car purchase - 7% state, local tax capped at the first $1,600, and the state single article tax on the $1,600–$3,200 slice. There's no motorcycle-specific tax break; the only real savings versus a car is the lower $19.50 base registration itself.
01 - Official fees
Tennessee motorcycle fees fees at a glance
| Fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Base registration (motorcycle/autocycle) | $19.50 | |
| Shelby County (Memphis) wheel tax | $20 | |
| Davidson County (Nashville) wheel tax | $55 | |
| Knox County (Knoxville) wheel tax | $36 | |
| Title fee (new purchase) | $14.00 | |
| Sales tax (new purchase) | 7% + capped local + single article |
Figures verified June 2026 against official sources (listed below). Always confirm the final amount with your county clerk (TN Dept. of Revenue) - counties can add small local fees.
03 - Same state, other costs
More Tennessee vehicle costs
04 - Common questions
Tennessee motorcycle fees FAQ
How much does it cost to register a motorcycle in Tennessee per year?
$19.50 statewide, plus your county's wheel tax if it has one. In Shelby County (Memphis) that's $39.50 total; in Davidson County (Nashville) it's $74.50; in a no-wheel-tax county it's just $19.50.
Do motorcycles pay a lower wheel tax than cars in Tennessee?
It depends entirely on the county. Shelby County explicitly charges less for motorcycles ($20) than cars ($75). Davidson County and Knox County apply the same flat wheel tax to motorcycles as they do to cars - there's no statewide rule, so check your specific county.
Is motorcycle sales tax different from car sales tax in Tennessee?
No - same three layers: 7% state tax on the full price, local option tax on the first $1,600, and the state single article tax on the $1,600–$3,200 slice. A $10,000 motorcycle and a $10,000 car owe identical tax in the same county.
Do motorcycles need an emissions test in Tennessee?
No - no Tennessee county requires an emissions test for any vehicle type anymore. The last counties to drop the requirement did so in early 2022.
How do I title a custom-built or kit motorcycle in Tennessee?
Assembled and kit bikes generally need a Tennessee-assigned VIN and a physical inspection before the county clerk will issue a title - contact your county clerk before you buy parts so you know what documentation the inspection will require.
Are scooters and mopeds registered the same way as motorcycles?
If it's street-legal and requires a title, generally yes - same $19.50 base fee and process. Very low-powered mopeds and e-bikes that fall under Tennessee's separate definitions for those categories may not need vehicle registration at all; check with your county clerk 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.