How Much Does It Cost To Register a Car in North Dakota From Out of State
Bringing a vehicle into North Dakota from another state requires adherence to procedures governed by the North Dakota Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division. Individuals relocating to North Dakota must complete vehicle registration within 90 days of establishing residency in the state. The titling and registration process involves payment of various state-mandated fees and taxes collected by the Motor Vehicle Division.
Base Registration and Title Fees
Vehicle titling and registration in North Dakota incur multiple charges, including certificate of title fees, registration assessments, and applicable disposal fees. The North Dakota Department of Transportation oversees fee collection through motor vehicle offices and authorized branch locations statewide.
Standard State Fees
Registration charges in North Dakota are determined by the vehicle's weight and a standard fee for that weight class, as detailed in the North Dakota Century Code § 39-04-19.
Passenger Motor Vehicles (Effective through December 31, 2025)
Annual Registration Fees by Weight and Vehicle Age:
| Vehicle Shipping Weight | 1st-6th Years | 7th-9th Years | 10th-12th Years | 13th-Subsequent Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Not over 2,000 lbs | $49.00 | $53.00 | $58.00 | $49.00 |
| 2,001-3,000 lbs | $57.00 | $57.00 | $63.00 | $57.00 |
| 3,001-4,000 lbs | $63.00 | $61.00 | $68.00 | $63.00 |
| 4,001-5,000 lbs | $76.00 | $65.00 | $73.00 | $76.00 |
| 5,001-6,000 lbs | $89.00 | $69.00 | $78.00 | $89.00 |
| 6,001-7,000 lbs | $102.00 | $73.00 | $83.00 | $102.00 |
| 7,001-8,000 lbs | $115.00 | $77.00 | $88.00 | $115.00 |
| 8,001-9,000 lbs | $128.00 | $81.00 | $93.00 | $128.00 |
Trucks and Commercial Vehicles by Registered Gross Weight
Annual Registration Fees (Effective through December 31, 2025):
| Registered Gross Weight | 1st-6th Years | 7th-9th Years | 10th-12th Years | 13th-19th Years | 20th+ Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Not over 4,000 lbs | $71.00 | $53.00 | $58.00 | $50.00 | $49.00 |
| 4,001-6,000 lbs | $76.00 | $57.00 | $63.00 | $51.00 | $50.00 |
| 6,001-8,000 lbs | $81.00 | $61.00 | $68.00 | $52.00 | $51.00 |
| 8,001-10,000 lbs | $86.00 | $65.00 | $73.00 | $54.00 | $53.00 |
| 10,001-12,000 lbs | $91.00 | $69.00 | $78.00 | $56.00 | $55.00 |
| 12,001-14,000 lbs | $96.00 | $73.00 | $83.00 | $59.00 | $58.00 |
| 14,001-16,000 lbs | $101.00 | $77.00 | $88.00 | $62.00 | $61.00 |
| 16,001-18,000 lbs | $106.00 | $81.00 | $93.00 | $64.00 | $63.00 |
| 18,001-20,000 lbs | $109.00 | $83.00 | $96.00 | $65.00 | $64.00 |
| 20,001-22,000 lbs | $139.00 | $113.00 | $113.00 | $100.00 | $100.00 |
| 48,001-50,000 lbs | $390.00 | $318.00 | $318.00 | $262.00 | $262.00 |
| 102,001-105,500 lbs | $1,792.00 | $1,486.00 | $1,486.00 | $1,280.00 | $1,280.00 |
Farm Vehicles (Trucks Over 20,000 lbs)
Reduced Annual Registration Fees for Agricultural Use:
| Registered Gross Weight | 1-6 Years | 7-8 Years | 9-10 Years | 11+ Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20,001-22,000 lbs | $111.00 | $97.00 | $83.00 | $65.00 |
| 48,001-50,000 lbs | $249.00 | $208.00 | $167.00 | $122.00 |
Motorcycles and Trailers
| Vehicle Type | Annual Fee |
|---|---|
| Motorcycles | $15.00 |
| Trailers (not semitrailer/farm trailer) | $20.00 |
| Trailer identification plate (not required to register) | $5.00 (one-time) |
| Semitrailer/farm trailer (permanent registration) | $120.00 (valid until transfer) |
| Semitrailer/farm trailer (annual registration) | $20.00 |
Road Use Fees for Electric Vehicles (Annual, in addition to registration fees)
| Vehicle Type | Annual Road Use Fee |
|---|---|
| Electric vehicles | $120.00 |
| Plug-in hybrid vehicles | $50.00 |
| Electric motorcycles | $20.00 |
Mile Tax / Temporary Permits
| Permit Type | Fee | Validity Period |
|---|---|---|
| Nonresident 72-hour trip permit | $20.00 | 72 hours |
Additional Fees Referenced in Registration
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Certificate of title | $5.00 |
| Title transfer | $5.00 |
| Abandoned motor vehicle disposal fee | $1.50 |
| Motor vehicle excise tax | 5% of purchase price |
| Branch office processing fees | Up to $10.00 per service |
| Combined title and registration processing | Maximum $12.00 |
Note: Fees are prorated on a monthly basis if registration begins mid-period.
Branch Office Service Fees
Motor vehicle branch offices located throughout North Dakota assess additional service charges for processing transactions.
Branch Office Service Fees:
| Service Category | Maximum Fee |
|---|---|
| New title processing | $10.00 |
| Title transfer processing | $10.00 |
| Vehicle registration processing | $10.00 |
| Duplicate title processing | $10.00 |
| Combined new title and registration | $12.00 |
| Combined title transfer and registration | $12.00 |
New Resident Fee and Use Tax
North Dakota imposes a motor vehicle excise tax on vehicles registered within the state. The North Dakota Office of State Tax Commissioner establishes excise tax guidelines administered through the Motor Vehicle Division.
State Motor Vehicle Excise Tax
Motor Vehicle Excise Tax Rate:
| Tax Category | Rate |
|---|---|
| Motor Vehicle Excise Tax | 5.000% |
The excise tax is calculated on the vehicle's purchase price and must be remitted when applying for a North Dakota certificate of title. The tax applies to vehicles purchased within North Dakota or brought into the state from another jurisdiction.
Government Agencies and Contact Information
North Dakota Department of Transportation - Motor Vehicle Division
608 East Boulevard Avenue, Bismarck, ND 58505-0780
Phone: (701) 328-2500
Official Website: North Dakota Department of Transportation
The North Dakota Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division administers vehicle titling, registration, and driver licensing services statewide. The Division maintains central administrative functions in Bismarck and coordinates service delivery through branch offices and authorized locations in all counties.
North Dakota Motor Vehicle Offices
The North Dakota Department of Transportation provides motor vehicle services through offices distributed across the state. Complete office listings and appointment scheduling information are accessible through the Motor Vehicle Locations directory.
Bismarck Motor Vehicle Office
608 East Boulevard Avenue, Bismarck, ND 58505-0780
Phone: (701) 328-2725
Official Website: North Dakota Department of Transportation
Fargo Motor Vehicle Office
745 45th Street South, Suite H, Fargo, ND 58103
Phone: (701) 282-5070
Official Website: North Dakota Department of Transportation
Grand Forks Motor Vehicle Office
1726 South Washington Street, Grand Forks, ND 58201
Phone: (701) 772-1390
Official Website: North Dakota Department of Transportation
Minot Motor Vehicle Office
1600 2nd Avenue Southwest, Suite 5, Minot, ND 58701
Phone: (701) 857-8221
Official Website: North Dakota Department of Transportation
Williston Motor Vehicle Office
206 East Broadway, Williston, ND 58801
Phone: (701) 713-3410
Official Website: North Dakota Department of Transportation
Dickinson Motor Vehicle Office
1173 3rd Avenue West, Suite 37B, Dickinson, ND 58601
Phone: (701) 456-5640
Official Website: North Dakota Department of Transportation
Jamestown Motor Vehicle Office
120 2nd Street Southeast, Jamestown, ND 58401
Phone: (701) 952-0852
Official Website: North Dakota Department of Transportation
Devils Lake Motor Vehicle Office
208 West Highway 2, Devils Lake, ND 58301
Phone: (701) 662-8966
Official Website: North Dakota Department of Transportation
Valley City Motor Vehicle Office
253 Central Avenue North, Suite 101, Valley City, ND 58072
Phone: (701) 845-3812
Official Website: North Dakota Department of Transportation
Grafton Motor Vehicle Office
432 Hill Avenue, Grafton, ND 58237
Phone: (701) 352-0781
Official Website: North Dakota Department of Transportation
