Ohio · Ohio BMV

Ohio Vehicle Registration & Title Fees 2026 (Calculator)

Ohio charges $36 a year to register a car plus local permissive tax (up to $30) and an $8 deputy registrar fee. Titles are $18, and sales tax is 5.75% plus your county's rate.

Checked against official sources on September 24, 2026 · Sources

Due at the DMV

$2,257

Then about $64 a year to renew

Sales tax (7.25%)Source: Ohio Department of Taxation$2,175
Title feeSource: Ohio BMV$18
Registration (passenger)Source: Ohio BMV$36
Deputy registrar feeSource: Ohio BMV$8
Local permissive taxSet by your local taxing district (max $30)Source: Ohio BMV$20

Ohio requires E-Check emissions testing in seven Cleveland-area counties; it is free and not included.

Estimate only. Fees from Ohio's official fee schedules; confirm the final amount with the agency before you pay.

Ohio vehicle fees at a glance

Sales tax 5.75% state + county; trade-ins count only on new vehicles	6.5%–8%
Title fee $23 in some counties	$18
Registration — passenger	$36/yr
Registration — light truck Non-commercial, up to 3/4 ton	$51/yr
Registration — motorcycle	$30/yr
Deputy registrar fee	$8/yr
Local permissive tax	$0–$30/yr
Hybrid / plug-in / electric fee Per year	$100 / $150 / $200

How Ohio calculates it

Sales tax follows your county. Ohio's 5.75% state rate plus your county's rate applies to dealer and private purchases alike — private buyers pay it to the county clerk of courts when they transfer the title. A trade-in only reduces the taxable price when you're buying a new vehicle.

Registration is $36 a year for a passenger car ($51 for a light truck), plus an $8 deputy registrar fee and your district's permissive tax of up to $30. Hybrids add $100, plug-in hybrids $150 and electric vehicles $200 a year.

Moving to Ohio? No Ohio sales tax is due if you bought the vehicle at least six months before moving. You'll need an $8 out-of-state vehicle inspection and an Ohio title.

What to bring

The title signed over to you (notarized, in Ohio)
An out-of-state inspection if the vehicle comes from another state
Proof of insurance and your Ohio driver license or ID
Your E-Check certificate if you live in a Cleveland-area emissions county

Ohio registration questions

How much does it cost to register a car in Ohio?

About $64 a year with a typical $20 permissive tax: $36 registration, $8 deputy registrar fee and the local tax. Hybrids and EVs pay $100–$200 more.

How much is a title transfer in Ohio?

$18 ($23 in some counties), plus sales tax at your county's rate on the purchase price.

Do you pay sales tax on a private car sale in Ohio?

Yes. Ohio excludes motor vehicles from its casual-sale exemption, so private buyers pay sales tax to the clerk of courts when the title is transferred.

Does a trade-in lower sales tax in Ohio?

Only when you buy a new vehicle. Trading in on a used vehicle doesn’t reduce the taxable price.

What do electric vehicles pay in Ohio?

$200 a year on top of registration. Plug-in hybrids pay $150 and hybrids $100.

Sources

All figures on this page were checked against these sources on September 24, 2026. Found something out of date? Tell us.