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Delaware car registration fee calculator

How much does it cost to register a car in Delaware? $40 a year for any passenger car and $15 for a motorcycle. Delaware has no sales tax; instead you pay the vehicle document fee when you title, about 5.25% of the price ($1,563 on $30,000), plus the $35 title ($55 with a lien): $1,638 in all. Since October 1, 2025 electric cars pay $110 a year more, plug-in hybrids $85 and hybrids $60.

Your vehicle

lbs
Trucks pay $40 up to 5,000 lbs plus $18 for each 1,000 lbs or part over (up to 10,000 lbs here).
Yearly alternative fuel fee since October 1, 2025, at first registration and every renewal.
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The document fee is on the greater of the price less trade-in or this value. Leave blank if the price is higher.
Estimated total
$1,638.00

Example for a $30,000 car. Enter your own price to update it.

  • Registration (1 yr)Passenger car$40.00
  • Title fee$35.00
  • Vehicle document feeOn $30,000$1,563.00

What you'll pay later

Renewal at today's rates: $40.00/yr

Year 1 $1,638.00 · Years 2–5 $40.00/yr · 5-year total $1,798.00

Estimate only, at today's rates for the same car.

Estimate only. Rates checked October 21, 2026 · Delaware. Confirm with the Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

Delaware vehicle fees at a glance (2026)

Registration$40/yr passenger car (any weight), $15 motorcycle
Truck$40 up to 5,000 lbs + $18 per 1,000 lbs over
Document fee (instead of sales tax)$13.75 for the first $500 + $5.25 per $100 ($1,563 on $30,000)
Electric / plug-in / hybrid fee$110 / $85 / $60 a year (6,000 lbs or less)
Title fee$35 ($55 with a lien)
Late renewal$20
Sales taxNone

Download this fee summary (PDF)

What this estimate does and does not include

  • Document fee (30 Del. C. ch. 30): $8 under $400; $13.75 from $400 to $500; then $5.25 more for each $100 or part of $100, rounded to the dollar. On $30,000 that is $1,562.50, rounded to $1,563 (a flat 5.25% would be $1,575). It is charged on the greater of the price less trade-in or the NADA average trade-in value.
  • Passenger cars pay a flat $40 a year whatever the weight. Pickups, trucks and cargo vans pay $40 up to 5,000 lbs gross load weight plus $18 for each 1,000 lbs or part over. New current-model-year cars can be registered for up to 7 years at first titling; the calculator shows one year.
  • Alternative fuel vehicle fees (since October 1, 2025), yearly at first registration and renewal: electric or fuel cell $110 (6,000 lbs or less) / $150 (to 10,000 lbs); plug-in hybrid $85 / $115; hybrid $60 / $80; electric motorcycles $15.
  • Late renewal adds $20; a title application more than 30 days after the sale adds a $35 penalty. Plate transfer to another vehicle is $20. Inspections at DMV lanes are free.
  • Not included: vanity plates ($40 a year), temporary dealer plates (up to $20), trucks over 10,000 lbs.
Official sources · Last checked October 21, 2026 · Next monthly check: November 2026

Delaware registration questions

How much is car registration in Delaware?

$40 a year for any passenger car, $15 for a motorcycle. Electric cars add $110 a year, plug-in hybrids $85 and hybrids $60.

How much are the fees on a $30,000 car in Delaware?

$1,638: $1,563 document fee, $35 title and $40 registration. With a loan the title is $55.

Does Delaware charge sales tax on cars?

No sales tax, but a vehicle document fee is charged when you title: $13.75 for the first $500 and $5.25 for each additional $100, rounded to the dollar. It works out to just under 5.25%.

What is the late fee for Delaware registration?

$20 for renewing after the registration expires.

How is the Delaware document fee calculated on a used car?

On the greater of the price less trade-in or the NADA average trade-in value.

Delaware guides

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