Your vehicle

$
Not needed for renewals, gifts or new residents. A sale between family members for money is charged like any other sale.
$
The value of a vehicle you trade toward this one, if it's titled in the same name. Selling your old car separately doesn't count.
$
A manufacturer's cash rebate applied to the price isn't charged the 5%.
$
The retail list price when the car was new, not what you paid. Iowa's yearly fee is based on it, and it stays the same as the car ages.
lbs
The weight on your title or registration. The fee adds 40 cents for every 100 lbs or part of 100 lbs.
Older cars pay less: Iowa cuts the list-price part of the fee after 7 and 9 model years and charges a flat $50 from 12.
Estimated total
$1,859.00

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

  • Registration (1 yr)1% of list price + 40c per 100 lbsIowa Code 321.109 · checked Oct 17, 2026$314.00
  • Title feeIowa Code 321.46 · checked Oct 17, 2026$30.00
  • Title surchargeIowa Code 321.46 · checked Oct 17, 2026$5.00
  • Fee for new registration$10 + 5% of priceIowa Code 321.105A · checked Oct 17, 2026$1,510.00

What you'll pay later

Renewal at today's rates: $314.00/yr

Year 1 $1,859.00 · Years 2–5 $314.00/yr · 5-year total $3,115.00

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

Estimate only. Rates checked October 17, 2026 · Iowa. Confirm with the Iowa Department of Transportation (through your county treasurer).SOURCE-CITED

Iowa fees, sources and notes on VehicleFeeCalculator