New Hampshire Tax, Title and License Calculator
New Hampshire has no sales tax on cars. You pay a yearly town permit fee based on the car's original list price and age, a state registration fee of $42 to $66, and a $35 title fee. What you actually paid for the car doesn't change these fees.
Use this New Hampshire tax, title and license calculator to estimate your costs. Below are the mill rates, the 2026 state fees, the EV charges and three worked examples.
Checked against the New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and state law on October 22, 2026. This is an independent estimate. Your town or city clerk sets the final amount.
New Hampshire Car Costs at a Glance
| Charge | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sales tax | None | New Hampshire doesn't charge one |
| Town permit fee | 3 to 18 mills | Per $1,000 of list price; $5 minimum |
| State registration, up to 3,000 lbs | $42 | Per year |
| State registration, 3,001–5,000 lbs | $48 | Per year |
| State registration, 5,001–8,000 lbs | $66 | Per year |
| Title | $35 | Raised from $25 on January 1, 2026 |
| Battery electric surcharge | $100 | Per year |
| Plug-in hybrid surcharge | $50 | Per year |
On this page14 sections
- New Hampshire Car Costs at a Glance
- How the New Hampshire Town Permit Fee Works
- Do Price, Trade-Ins and Rebates Matter in New Hampshire?
- How Much Does It Cost to Register a Car in New Hampshire?
- New Hampshire State Registration Fees for 2026
- New Hampshire Title Fee and Town Clerk Fees
- Electric and Plug-In Hybrid Fees in New Hampshire
- Buying From a Dealer, a Private Seller or Out of State
- How to Calculate New Hampshire Costs by Hand
- What This Estimate Includes
- What This Estimate Does Not Include
- Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Official Sources
How the New Hampshire Town Permit Fee Works
Permit fee = original list price × mill rate ÷ 1,000
A "mill" is one-tenth of a cent. A rate of 18 mills means $18 for each $1,000 of the car's original manufacturer's list price. The fee goes to your town or city. The state rounds the list price to the nearest $100.
The rate drops as the car ages. A new car pays 18 mills. The rate steps down each year until it reaches 3 mills for a car that is five model years old or more. The fee can't be under $5.
| Model year | Mills per $1,000 |
|---|---|
| Newest (current) model year | 18 |
| One year older | 15 |
| Two years older | 12 |
| Three years older | 9 |
| Four years older | 6 |
| Five years older or more | 3 |
Do Price, Trade-Ins and Rebates Matter in New Hampshire?
No. There's no tax on the sale, so the price you paid isn't part of the math. A trade-in or a rebate doesn't lower any fee. Two people who buy the same car for different prices pay the same permit fee.
A used car costs less because its age is higher, so the mill rate is lower. The list price is still the original one. A ten-year-old $40,000 truck pays 3 mills, or $120.
How Much Does It Cost to Register a Car in New Hampshire?
The examples use a full 12-month registration and leave out small town fees. Your first registration is prorated, so it may cost less up front.
Example 1: New SUV
Assumptions: $42,300 original list price, newest model year, 4,200 lbs, new title.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Town permit fee (18 mills) | $761.00 |
| State registration, 3,001–5,000 lbs | $48.00 |
| Title | $35.00 |
| Estimated total | $844.00 |
Example 2: Used car, three model years older
Assumptions: $30,000 original list price, 3,200 lbs, bought from a private seller.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Town permit fee (9 mills) | $270.00 |
| State registration, 3,001–5,000 lbs | $48.00 |
| Title | $35.00 |
| Estimated total | $353.00 |
Example 3: New electric car
Assumptions: $55,000 original list price, newest model year, 4,500 lbs, battery electric.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Town permit fee (18 mills) | $990.00 |
| State registration, 3,001–5,000 lbs | $48.00 |
| Battery electric surcharge | $100.00 |
| Title | $35.00 |
| Estimated total | $1,173.00 |
New Hampshire State Registration Fees for 2026
New Hampshire raised its state registration fees on January 1, 2026. The fee depends only on the vehicle's gross weight.
| Vehicle weight | Fee per year | Old fee |
|---|---|---|
| 0–3,000 lbs | $42 | $31.20 |
| 3,001–5,000 lbs | $48 | $43.20 |
| 5,001–8,000 lbs | $66 | $55.20 |
| 8,001 lbs and up | $1.06 per 100 lbs | $0.96 per 100 lbs |
The state prices registration by the month. $42 equals $3.50 a month. Registration runs to the end of your birth month, or a month the DMV sets. If you renew within 12 months of your last registration, you pay at least 12 months.
New Hampshire Title Fee and Town Clerk Fees
A New Hampshire title costs $35. It was $25 before January 1, 2026. Your town or city clerk files the title application. Dealers do it for cars you buy from them.
Towns and cities add small fees of their own. They vary. One city lists a $2 town clerk fee, a $3 agent fee, a $3 waste fee and a $5 transportation fee. Ask your clerk for the exact list.
Electric and Plug-In Hybrid Fees in New Hampshire
New Hampshire adds a yearly surcharge to the regular registration. Battery electric vehicles pay $100. Plug-in hybrids pay $50. The money goes to the state highway fund. Regular hybrids don't pay a surcharge.
EVs also pay the town permit fee. Because it's based on list price, a pricey EV costs more there. Compare nearby states: Vermont and Connecticut set their own EV rules.
Buying From a Dealer, a Private Seller or Out of State
| Where you buy | What to bring to the town or city clerk |
|---|---|
| New Hampshire dealer | The title, or the blue copies of the title application the dealer gives you |
| Out-of-state dealer | The title from the dealer, or a New Hampshire title application from the lienholder |
| Private seller | A properly assigned title; the buyer applies for a new title |
New Hampshire adds no sales tax when you register a car bought in Massachusetts or New York. You still pay the town and state fees at home. Ask the seller's state whether it charges you tax at the dealership, because that rule is set there.
What if I move to New Hampshire?
Once you establish residency, you have up to 60 days to register your vehicle and get a New Hampshire license. Bring your current title or registration. Your clerk will prepare a New Hampshire title application.
How to Calculate New Hampshire Costs by Hand
- Find the car's original list price. Round it to the nearest $100.
- Find its model-year age. Use 18 mills for the newest year, then 15, 12, 9, 6 and 3.
- Multiply list price by the mill rate and divide by 1,000. The minimum is $5.
- Add the state fee for the vehicle's weight: $42, $48 or $66.
- Add $35 for a new title.
- Add $100 for a battery electric car or $50 for a plug-in hybrid.
- Ask your clerk about local add-on fees and proration.
What This Estimate Includes
- Town permit fee by list price and age
- State registration by weight
- Title fee
- Electric and plug-in hybrid surcharges
What This Estimate Does Not Include
- Town and city add-on fees
- Proration for a partial first year
- Plate fees and special plates
- Inspection costs
- Insurance, loan interest and dealer fees
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Looking for sales tax. There isn't any.
- Using the price you paid. The permit fee uses the original list price.
- Using old state fees. They went up on January 1, 2026.
- Forgetting the title fee when you buy privately. It's $35.
- Skipping the EV surcharge. It's $100 a year.
- Assuming every town charges the same extras.
- Waiting more than 60 days after moving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there sales tax on cars in New Hampshire?
No. You pay a town permit fee, a state registration fee and a title fee.
What does a New Hampshire tax, title and license calculator include?
It covers the permit fee, state registration, title and any EV surcharge.
How much is the permit fee on a $40,000 new car?
It's $720 at 18 mills. The same car at 3 mills (five or more model years old) is $120.
How much is state registration in New Hampshire?
$42 up to 3,000 lbs, $48 from 3,001 to 5,000 lbs and $66 from 5,001 to 8,000 lbs.
How much is a title in New Hampshire?
It's $35 as of January 1, 2026.
What do EVs pay in New Hampshire?
A $100 yearly surcharge for battery electric cars. Plug-in hybrids pay $50.
Does a trade-in lower my fees?
No. The fees don't use the price, so a trade-in has no effect.
Why is my renewal different from my friend's?
Permit fees follow list price and age. Towns also add their own small fees.
How long do I have to register after moving?
Up to 60 days after you establish residency.
Official Sources
- NH DMV: Vehicle Registrations
- NH DMV: Apply for a Title
- NH DMV: Purchasing or Selling a Titled Vehicle
- RSA 261:153: Municipal permit fees
- RSA 261:141: Registration fees
- City of Manchester: Explanation of motor vehicle fees
This page is an independent estimate tool and guide. It isn't affiliated with the New Hampshire DMV or the state of New Hampshire. Rates and fees can change, so confirm your total before you pay.
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William researches vehicle taxes, title fees, registration charges and DMV requirements across the United States. His work focuses on turning state-specific fee schedules, tax guidance, registration requirements and statutory information into practical explanations for vehicle buyers and owners. He cross-checks calculator inputs against official state revenue departments, motor vehicle agencies and published fee schedules, paying particular attention to differences between sales tax, title fees, registration charges and local or county taxes. He also reviews state-level changes so that calculator results and supporting articles reflect the latest available requirements rather than relying on outdated third-party estimates.
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