Overview
Pick your weight class and registration year below for the exact fee. Motorcycles skip the matrix entirely - they're a flat $15 a year no matter their age or engine size. If you're titling for the first time in North Dakota, remember the $5 title fee and 5% excise tax are separate line items due at the same counter (see our North Dakota TTL calculator for the full total).
01 - Official fees
North Dakota registration fees fees at a glance
| Fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Under 3,200 lbs | $73 / $65 / $57 / $49 | years 1–6 / 7–9 / 10–12 / 13+ |
| 3,200–4,499 lbs | $93 / $81 / $69 / $57 | |
| 4,500–4,999 lbs | $111 / $94 / $79 / $63 | |
| 5,000–5,999 lbs | $142 / $120 / $98 / $76 | |
| 6,000–6,999 lbs | $175 / $146 / $117 / $89 | |
| 7,000–7,999 lbs | $208 / $172 / $137 / $102 | |
| 8,000–8,999 lbs | $241 / $199 / $157 / $115 | |
| 9,000 lbs and over | $274 / $225 / $177 / $128 | |
| Motorcycle / moped | $15/yr | flat, any weight or age |
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.
02 - Step by step
How to register a vehicle in North Dakota
- 1
Have your signed title (or dealer paperwork) and proof of North Dakota liability insurance ready.
- 2
Complete Form SFN 2872 (Application for Certificate of Title & Registration).
- 3
Take it to your county's NDDOT motor vehicle branch office.
- 4
Pay the weight×age registration fee, plus title and excise tax if this is a new purchase or transfer.
- 5
Registration then renews every year on the anniversary of that first registration - not a fixed calendar date.
03 - Same state, other costs
More North Dakota vehicle costs
04 - Common questions
North Dakota registration fees FAQ
How much does it cost to register a car in North Dakota per year?
Between $49 and $274 depending on gross weight and registration year - a common 3,200–4,499 lb sedan runs $93 new down to $57 once it passes its 13th registration year. Use the calculator above with your exact weight class.
Why does my registration fee keep changing every few years?
North Dakota's fee schedule is built to step down at fixed points: years 1–6 pay the top rate, years 7–9 a middle rate, years 10–12 lower still, and year 13 onward the lowest tier for that weight class. It's not a smooth annual decline - it jumps at those three thresholds.
Is registration based on the model year or when I first registered it?
The year the vehicle was first registered anywhere, not its model year. A well-kept older model that was only recently put into service starts at year 1 of the schedule, not wherever its model year would suggest.
Do heavier trucks use the same matrix as passenger cars?
Non-commercial trucks have their own separate fee table under the same statute, generally running lower than the passenger schedule at comparable weights and stepping down at the same year breakpoints, plus a further reduction after 20 years.
Does North Dakota charge extra for electric or hybrid vehicles?
Yes - a $120 annual road use fee for fully electric vehicles and $50 for plug-in hybrids, on top of the normal weight×age registration fee. Electric motorcycles pay a smaller $20 add-on to their flat $15 base.
Is there an inspection I need before I can register?
No - North Dakota doesn't require a safety or emissions inspection to register a passenger vehicle. The only inspection scenario involves VIN verification for certain salvage-titled vehicles coming from out of state.
05 - Receipts
Official sources
Every number on this page comes from these documents - check them yourself.