Overview
There's an escape hatch. If the car's real condition justifies a lower price - accident damage, high miles, a blown transmission - a licensed Vermont dealer or state-licensed appraiser can complete a Dealer Appraisal Form (VD-012) at registration, or within 30 days after for a refund, and that appraised value replaces the book figure as your tax base.
On top of the tax, budget a flat $42 title fee and $91 a year (or $167 for two years) in registration - the same everywhere in the state, since Vermont has no county add-on. Enter your numbers below for the full out-the-door total.
01 - Official fees
Vermont tax, title & license fees at a glance
| Fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Purchase & Use Tax | 6% | of price or J.D. Power/NADA value, whichever is higher, minus trade-in |
| Certificate of title | $42.00 | |
| Lien recording (each lien) | $14.00 | |
| Registration (1 year, car/truck) | $91.00 | flat statewide |
| Registration (2 years, car/truck) | $167.00 | |
| EV infrastructure fee (BEV) | +$89.00/yr | on top of base registration |
| EV infrastructure fee (PHEV) | +$44.50/yr | on top of base registration |
Figures verified June 2026 against official sources (listed below). Always confirm the final amount with the Vermont DMV - counties can add small local fees.
02 - Step by step
How to pay Vermont TTL
- 1
Get the signed-over title (or dealer paperwork) and a bill of sale showing the price.
- 2
Look up the vehicle's J.D. Power (NADA) clean trade-in value - the DMV compares it to your price.
- 3
If your price is fairly below that value, arrange a Dealer Appraisal Form (VD-012) from a licensed dealer or appraiser.
- 4
Complete the Vermont Registration, Tax & Title Application (VD-119) and bring it, the title, and ID to a DMV office (or file online for renewals).
- 5
Pay the 6% Purchase & Use Tax, the $42 title fee, and registration together in one transaction.
03 - Same state, other costs
More Vermont vehicle costs
04 - Common questions
Vermont tax, title & license FAQ
How much is tax, title and license on a $20,000 car in Vermont?
About $1,333 if your price matches or exceeds the book value: $1,200 in Purchase & Use Tax (6%), $42 for the title, and $91 for a one-year registration. If the vehicle's J.D. Power value is higher than $20,000, the tax is based on that higher figure instead.
Why is Vermont taxing me on more than I actually paid?
Vermont's Purchase & Use Tax is charged on whichever is greater: your purchase price or the vehicle's J.D. Power (formerly NADA) average clean trade-in value. It exists to stop underreported private-sale prices, but it also catches genuine bargains and rough-condition cars bought cheap for a legitimate reason.
How do I fight the book-value number if I got a real deal?
Get a Dealer Appraisal Form (VD-012) completed by a Vermont-licensed dealer or a licensed appraiser, documenting the vehicle's actual condition-based value. Submit it with your registration, or within 30 days afterward to claim a refund of the extra tax paid.
Does a trade-in lower my Vermont tax bill?
Yes - the trade-in allowance (or other allowable credit) is subtracted after the price-vs-book-value comparison, so you're taxed on the net amount. This applies at dealer sales; private-party trades between individuals don't get the same documented credit.
Is there a cap on Purchase & Use Tax for heavy trucks?
Yes. For motor vehicles over 10,099 lbs, the tax is capped at $2,486 regardless of price or book value - a flat ceiling instead of an open-ended 6%.
I'm a new Vermont resident who already paid tax on this car elsewhere - do I pay 6% again?
No, not the full rate. Vermont credits tax already paid to another state; you only owe the difference if Vermont's 6% is higher than what you paid. If you paid nothing (say, a private sale in a no-sales-tax state), Vermont's 6% applies in full - there's no credit for tax you never actually paid.
Do county fees apply anywhere in Vermont?
No. Unlike states such as Texas or California, Vermont's registration and title fees are identical everywhere in the state - there's no county road fee, no local surcharge, and no district tax to look up.
05 - Receipts
Official sources
Every number on this page comes from these documents - check them yourself.