Overview
Buying a bike brings the same tax rules as a car: 6% Purchase & Use Tax on whichever is higher, your price or the motorcycle's J.D. Power book value, plus the standard $42 title fee. Vermont requires a valid motorcycle endorsement to ride and a DOT-compliant helmet under 18 (and strongly recommended above that age), but neither changes what you owe at the DMV counter.
01 - Official fees
Vermont motorcycle fees fees at a glance
| Fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Registration, 1 year | $58.00 | |
| Registration, 2 years | $116.00 | |
| Certificate of title (new purchase) | $42.00 | |
| Purchase & Use Tax (new purchase) | 6% | of price or J.D. Power value, whichever is higher |
| Lien recording (if financed) | $14.00 |
Figures verified June 2026 against official sources (listed below). Always confirm the final amount with the Vermont DMV - counties can add small local fees.
03 - Same state, other costs
More Vermont vehicle costs
04 - Common questions
Vermont motorcycle fees FAQ
How much does it cost to register a motorcycle in Vermont per year?
$58 for a one-year registration, or $116 for two years (about $58/yr) - the same statewide, since Vermont has no county fee for motorcycles or cars.
Do motorcycles pay the same tax as cars when purchased in Vermont?
Yes - the same 6% Purchase & Use Tax on whichever is higher, your price or the motorcycle's J.D. Power (NADA) book value, with the same trade-in credit and family-gift exemption rules that apply to cars.
Is there a lower registration fee for scooters or mopeds?
Street-legal motorcycles and scooters that require full registration pay the standard $58/$116 rate. Vehicles that meet Vermont's specific low-speed moped definition may fall under a different, lighter registration category - check with the DMV for your exact model.
Do I need an inspection for my motorcycle every year like a car?
Yes, Vermont's annual safety inspection requirement applies to registered motorcycles just as it does to cars, with the same $8 state sticker fee on top of whatever the inspection station charges for labor.
Can I gift a motorcycle to my child tax-free in Vermont?
Yes, under the same rule as cars - a genuine gift to a spouse, parent, child, sibling, grandparent, or grandchild pays $0 Purchase & Use Tax, filed with Form VT-014. You still owe the $42 title fee.
05 - Receipts
Official sources
Every number on this page comes from these documents - check them yourself.