AutoTaxCalculatorNJ vehicle registration fees
NJ registration is a flat yearly fee by weight class and age: $46.50 or $71.50 for most cars, and $59.00 or $84.00 within two years of the model year. Electric cars add a $270 ZEV fee.
| Model year | Weight | Yearly fee |
|---|---|---|
| Within 2 years | Under 3,500 lbs | $59.00 |
| Within 2 years | Over 3,500 lbs | $84.00 |
| Older than 2 years | Under 3,500 lbs | $46.50 |
| Older than 2 years | Over 3,500 lbs | $71.50 |
| 1971–1979 | Under 2,700 / 2,700–3,800 / over 3,800 lbs | $38.50 / $49.50 / $72.50 |
| 1970 or older | Under 2,700 / 2,700–3,800 / over 3,800 lbs | $35.50 / $44.50 / $65.50 |
The weight class comes from the manufacturer's statement of origin, the renewal application, the Branham reference book or the MVC's own manual. Owners 65 and older and people with a disability pay $7 less in every passenger category. People enrolled in PAAD, SSI or Lifeline qualify for discounted fees too. Moving your plates to another car costs $4.50, plus any increase if the new car is in a heavier class.
Electric vehicle (ZEV) fee
Since July 1, 2024, cars certified as zero emission vehicles pay an annual fee on top of the registration fee. It started at $250 and goes up $10 every July 1 for four years:
| Registration year starting | ZEV fee |
|---|---|
| July 1, 2024 | $250 |
| July 1, 2025 | $260 |
| July 1, 2026 | $270 |
| July 1, 2027 | $280 |
| July 1, 2028 | $290 |
A brand-new ZEV registered for four years pays all four years of the fee up front. The MVC's example: a new ZEV registered between July 1, 2024 and June 30, 2025 paid the fees for 2024, 2025, 2026 and 2027 at the first registration.
Car sales tax in New Jersey
New Jersey's sales tax is 6.625%, and it applies to vehicle purchases statewide. When a trade-in is on the dealer's invoice, the trade-in price is subtracted before the tax is calculated. A $48,000 SUV with a $12,000 trade-in is taxed on $36,000, which comes to $2,385.00.
The luxury and fuel-inefficient surcharge (LFIS)
New car dealers must collect an extra one-time 0.4% surcharge on a new passenger car, light truck, SUV or van when either of these applies:
- The gross sales or lease price is $45,000 or more, before trade-in, manufacturer rebates and disability adaptive equipment, unless the vehicle averages over 40 MPG.
- The vehicle averages under 19 MPG (combined city and highway), at any price.
Zero emission vehicles, commercially registered vehicles and vehicles titled and registered outside New Jersey are exempt. Unlike the sales tax, the surcharge is figured on the price before the trade-in. On a $48,000 SUV, that's $192.
Title fees
Transferring a title costs $60, or $85 if a lien is recorded because you financed the car. A duplicate registration costs $5, or $11 during the first three years of a four-year accelerated registration.
Worked examples
New $48,000 SUV (over 3,500 lbs, 25 MPG) with a $12,000 trade-in
- Sales tax: ($48,000 − $12,000) × 6.625% = $2,385.00
- LFIS: $48,000 × 0.4% = $192.00 (price is $45,000 or more and it's under 40 MPG)
- Registration (within 2 years, over 3,500 lbs): $84.00
- Title: $60.00
- Total for the first year: $2,721.00
Used $18,000 sedan under 3,500 lbs, six years old
- Sales tax: $18,000 × 6.625% = $1,192.50 (no LFIS on used cars)
- Registration $46.50 + title $60.00
- Total: $1,299.00
Renewing a three-year-old electric crossover over 3,500 lbs
- Registration $71.50 + ZEV fee $270 (July 2026 – June 2027)
- Total: $341.50 for the year
Frequently asked questions
Does the 0.4% surcharge apply to a used car?
No. It's collected by new car dealers on new vehicles only.
Do hybrids pay the NJ ZEV fee?
The fee applies to vehicles certified as zero emission under the California Air Resources Board standards for their model year. Conventional hybrids aren't ZEVs.
How is my car's weight class decided?
From the manufacturer's shipping weight. If it's disputed or unavailable, the MVC can require you to weigh the car on a certified scale. You can correct a wrong weight class with Form MVS-2 at an agency or by mail.
Sources
- NJ MVC: Registration and title fees
- NJ MVC: Luxury and fuel inefficient surcharge (LFIS)
- NJ MVC: OS/SS-14 dealer surcharge calculation form, R1/25 (PDF)
- NJ Division of Taxation: Luxury and fuel-inefficient vehicle surcharge
This calculator gives an estimate. The NJ MVC calculates the final amount. How we calculate