VA · Registration fee guide

Virginia car registration fees

Last verified 2026-10-28 · View sources

Base registration feeVaries by vehicleFee source ↗

EV / hybrid fee$135.63 / Not publishedSee applicable rules

Typical example total$32.7512-month renewal example

Virginia registers passenger cars for one year, with optional two- and three-year renewals at a small discount.

Your itemized estimate

Estimate your registration

Use your vehicle details to calculate the listed fees. Amounts reflect the schedule verified in 2026.

Start with the published example below, then adjust the details for your vehicle.

Published example · listed fees

$32.75

12-month renewal example

Where the fees go

State fees$30.75
County / local$2.00
One-time$0.00

View breakdown data

Where the fees go — amounts in USD
Category	Amount
State fees	$30.75
County / local	$2.00
One-time	$0.00

Itemized estimate, with official fee sources
Fee	Amount
Annual registration fee (private passenger vehicle)	$30.75
Emissions inspection program fee (Northern Virginia localities)	$2.00

Estimate only. Includes only the fees listed here; other taxes, penalties or local charges may apply. Confirm with the official agency.

What’s not included

Amounts are for Virginia's standard one-year registration. Two-year renewals get a $3 discount online ($2 by mail, phone or in person) and three-year renewals $4 online ($3 otherwise); online one-year renewals get a $1 discount. Discounts are not included.
Gas and hybrid cars with a manufacturer's combined rating of 25 MPG or more also pay an annual highway use fee that depends on the MPG rating (for July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027: $7.05 a year at 25 MPG, $28.48 at 30 MPG, $55.27 at 40 MPG). The calculator has no MPG input, so this fee is not added; see DMV's HUF chart. Cars under 25 MPG are exempt.
Many cities and counties charge a local vehicle registration (license) fee, collected by DMV for localities in its Local Vehicle Registration Program or billed locally. Local personal property tax on vehicles is also billed by the locality. Neither is included because they vary by locality.
Annual safety inspections (and emissions inspections in Northern Virginia) are paid at the inspection station and are not included. Specialty and personalized plate fees are also extra.

Confirm with Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)

Registration fee schedule

Only applicable fees contribute to your estimate. Optional fees are excluded unless selected. One-time fees apply only to new registrations.

Virginia fee rules · verified 2026-10-28
Fee	Amount or rule	Applies to
Annual registration fee (private passenger vehicle)	Up to 4,000 lbs: $30.75; Up to 6,500 lbs: $35.75 DMV fee chart: passenger vehicles 4,000 lbs or less $30.75; 4,001 to 6,500 lbs $35.75 (pickup trucks 4,001 to 6,500 lbs gross also $35.75). Base fee set by Code of Virginia § 46.2-694; the chart amount includes statutory add-ons.	All listed vehicles All listed vehicles
Emissions inspection program fee (Northern Virginia localities)	View county rates Arlington County: $2.00; Fairfax County: $2.00; Loudoun County: $2.00; Prince William County: $2.00; Stafford County: $2.00; City of Alexandria: $2.00; City of Fairfax: $2.00; City of Falls Church: $2.00; City of Manassas: $2.00; City of Manassas Park: $2.00; Other counties: $0.00 DMV fee chart: an additional $2.00 for emissions inspections if the vehicle is garaged in Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William or Stafford counties or the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Manassas or Manassas Park. Other localities pay $0.	All listed vehicles All listed vehicles
Highway use fee (electric vehicles)	$135.63 Annual HUF for all electric vehicles, valid July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027 (Code of Virginia § 46.2-772). Charged in addition to the registration fee; can instead be paid per mile through the Mileage Choice Program.	See conditions fuel type: electric
Original title	$15.00 DMV fee chart: original title $15.00.	New registration All listed vehicles; one-time
Motor vehicle sales and use tax (4.15%, $75 minimum)	4.15% of vehicle value; minimum $75.00 Collected at titling when a vehicle is sold or changes ownership: 4.15% of the gross sales price (after rebates, including the dealer processing fee, with no trade-in credit), or $75, whichever is greater. Exemptions exist, for example for some disabled veterans.	New registration All listed vehicles; one-time

How Virginia fees work

Virginia registers passenger cars for one year, with optional two- and three-year renewals at a small discount. The state fee is $30.75 for a car of 4,000 lbs or less and $35.75 for 4,001 to 6,500 lbs, plus $2 for emissions inspections in ten Northern Virginia localities. Electric vehicles add a $135.63 annual highway use fee, and gas or hybrid cars rated 25 MPG or better pay an MPG-based highway use fee. Titling costs $15 plus a 4.15% sales and use tax on the sales price, with a $75 minimum.

The listed registration period is 12 months. Agency information

Cost factors: weight, fuel, mpg, county, value.

Electric & hybrid surcharges

Electric: $135.63 in the listed schedule. Fee source

Choose the matching fuel type in the calculator to include the applicable surcharge.

Late registration

DMV charges a $10.00 late fee for renewing a passenger vehicle registration after it expires.

Confirm deadlines and penalties with the agency

Worked example

2022 gas sedan, 3,500 lbs, $25,000 value, renewing in Fairfax County for one year: $30.75 registration (4,000 lbs or less) + $2.00 Northern Virginia emissions fee = $32.75. A sedan rated 25 MPG or more would also owe the MPG-based highway use fee, and the local vehicle fee and property tax are billed separately; none of these are included.

Listed total: $32.75

See the fee rules and sources above

Common questions

How are Virginia registration fees calculated?

Where can I confirm my final registration cost?

Confirm the final amount with Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Its official website is linked below the calculator and in this guide’s sources.

What other limitations should I consider?

Amounts are for Virginia's standard one-year registration. Two-year renewals get a $3 discount online ($2 by mail, phone or in person) and three-year renewals $4 online ($3 otherwise); online one-year renewals get a $1 discount. Discounts are not included. Gas and hybrid cars with a manufacturer's combined rating of 25 MPG or more also pay an annual highway use fee that depends on the MPG rating (for July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027: $7.05 a year at 25 MPG, $28.48 at 30 MPG, $55.27 at 40 MPG). The calculator has no MPG input, so this fee is not added; see DMV's HUF chart. Cars under 25 MPG are exempt. Many cities and counties charge a local vehicle registration (license) fee, collected by DMV for localities in its Local Vehicle Registration Program or billed locally. Local personal property tax on vehicles is also billed by the locality. Neither is included because they vary by locality. Annual safety inspections (and emissions inspections in Northern Virginia) are paid at the inspection station and are not included. Specialty and personalized plate fees are also extra.

Sources and last checked

Sources

DMV Fees (DMV 201 fee chart) Virginia DMV
Vehicle Registration Virginia DMV
What is the Highway Use Fee? Virginia DMV
2026 Estimated Highway Use Fee Chart Virginia DMV
Motor Vehicle Sales and Use Tax Virginia DMV
Code of Virginia § 46.2-772 (highway use fee) Virginia General Assembly
Code of Virginia § 46.2-694 (passenger vehicle registration fees) Virginia General Assembly

Last verified 2026-10-28

Fees can change. Confirm your final amount with the official registration agency before paying.

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