How does New Hampshire calculate the registration fee?

There are two parts. The town charges a municipal permit fee based on the vehicle's original list price and age, using a mill schedule from $18 per $1,000 when new down to $3 per $1,000 for older cars. The state then adds a weight-based registration fee and a title fee.

What is the municipal permit fee mill schedule?

It is $18 per $1,000 of list price in the model year and the year before, then $15, $12, $9, and $6 per $1,000 in the following years, settling at $3 per $1,000 for vehicles five or more years past their model year. A $5 minimum applies.

Does New Hampshire charge sales tax on a car?

No. New Hampshire has no sales tax, so there is no tax on the purchase price of a vehicle. You only pay the municipal permit fee, the state registration fee, the title fee, and any plate fees.

Why is the permit fee higher for newer or pricier cars?

The municipal permit fee is a percentage of the original list price that declines with age. A newer or more expensive car has a higher list price and a higher mill rate, so its permit fee is larger; the fee shrinks each year as the car ages.

Are these the exact fees I will pay?

This is a close estimate. Exact amounts vary by town and by additional charges such as plate, decal, and municipal agent fees, plus any clean-air or special-plate surcharges. Confirm with your town clerk and the New Hampshire DMV.

New Hampshire Vehicle Registration Fee Calculator

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Registering a vehicle in New Hampshire has two parts: a municipal permit fee your town charges based on the car’s original list price and age, and a state registration fee based on weight, plus a title fee. There is no sales tax. This calculator estimates the full first-year cost.

How it works

The town permit fee uses a mill rate that drops as the vehicle ages:

Model year & year before  →  $18 per $1,000 of list price
+1 year                    →  $15 per $1,000
+2 years                   →  $12 per $1,000
+3 years                   →  $9  per $1,000
+4 years                   →  $6  per $1,000
+5 years and older         →  $3  per $1,000  (minimum $5)

Total = municipal permit fee + state weight fee + title fee

The list price is the manufacturer’s original MSRP, not what you paid. The state registration fee is set by gross weight class, and the title fee is a flat amount. New Hampshire charges no sales tax on the purchase.

Example

A car with a $30,000 list price in its current model year is charged $18 per $1,000, a permit fee of $540. Add a state weight fee of about $43 and a $25 title fee, and the first-year cost is roughly $608, with no sales tax.

Notes

This estimate covers the largest components. Towns add plate, decal, and municipal agent fees, and special or vanity plates cost extra. The municipal permit fee falls each year as the vehicle ages down the mill schedule. Confirm exact amounts with your town clerk and the New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles.