How Much Does It Cost To Register a Car in New Hampshire in 2025
New Hampshire operates a two-part vehicle registration system where residents pay fees to both their local municipality and the state. This dual structure means registration costs vary significantly between communities, as each municipality sets its own local permit fees while the state maintains standardized fees based on vehicle weight and type.
Base Registration Fees by Vehicle Type
New Hampshire's state registration fees are established under RSA 261:141 and are calculated based on vehicle weight and classification.
Passenger Vehicle State Fees (Annual)
| Weight Range | Monthly Rate | Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|
| 0 - 3,000 lbs | $2.60 | $31.20 |
| 3,001 - 5,000 lbs | $3.60 | $43.20 |
| 5,001 - 8,000 lbs | $4.60 | $55.20 |
| 8,001 - 73,280 lbs | $0.96 per 100 lbs gross weight | Varies |
Specialty Vehicle State Fees
| Vehicle Type | Annual State Fee |
|---|---|
| Motorcycles | $15.00 |
| Mopeds | $3.00 |
| Antique motorcycles | $2.40 |
| Antique motor vehicles | $6.00 |
| Agricultural vehicles | $3.60 |
| Agricultural tractors | $1.80 |
| Construction equipment | $25.00 |
Trailer and Semi-Trailer State Fees
| Weight Range | Annual Fee |
|---|---|
| 0 - 1,000 lbs | $3.00 |
| 1,001 - 1,500 lbs | $6.00 |
| 1,501 - 3,000 lbs | $12.00 |
| 3,001 - 5,000 lbs | $24.00 |
| 5,001 - 8,000 lbs | $36.00 |
| 8,001+ lbs | $0.60 per 100 lbs gross weight |
Local and Municipal Fees
New Hampshire municipalities establish their own local permit fees under RSA 261:153, creating significant variation in total registration costs across the state.
Municipal Permit Fee Structure
Most New Hampshire municipalities calculate permit fees based on the vehicle's original MSRP and model year using a declining rate schedule:
| Model Year | Rate per $1,000 MSRP |
|---|---|
| Current year | $18.00 |
| 1 year old | $15.00 |
| 2 years old | $12.00 |
| 3 years old | $9.00 |
| 4 years old | $6.00 |
| 5+ years old | $3.00 |
Municipal Administrative Fees
Towns and cities charge additional administrative fees for processing registrations:
| Fee Type | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Town Clerk (TC) | $2.00 | Administrative costs |
| Title Application (TA) | $2.00 | Title processing (new registrations) |
| Municipal Agent (MA) | $3.00 | State DMV agent services |
New Hampshire municipalities generally follow the standard MSRP-based fee structure with basic administrative fees, though specific amounts may vary.
Mandatory Processing and Administrative Fees
State Processing Fees
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| License plates (first-time) | $8.00 |
| Duplicate registration | $15.00 |
| Certified copy of registration | $15.00 |
| Registration transfer | $10.00 |
| Replacement plates | $4.00 each |
| Replacement decals | $1.00 each |
| Registration restoration (after suspension) | $25.00 |
Title-Related Fees
| Transaction | Fee |
|---|---|
| New title application | $25.00 |
| Duplicate title | $25.00 |
| Title transfer | Included in title fee |
Dealer and Agent Fees
New Hampshire limits documentary fees charged by dealers to $27.00, which covers the $25.00 state title fee plus a $2.00 agent processing fee.
Special Requirements and Fees
Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Surcharges
Effective January 2026, New Hampshire will implement additional fees for alternative fuel vehicles:
- Battery Electric Vehicles: $100.00 annual surcharge
- Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles: $50.00 annual surcharge
These surcharges fund highway maintenance as electric vehicles do not contribute through gasoline taxes.
Vanity and Specialty Plates
| Plate Type | Initial Fee | Annual Renewal |
|---|---|---|
| Vanity plates | $40.00 | $40.00 |
| Conservation (Moose) plates | $30.00 additional | $30.00 |
| State Parks plates | $85.00 additional | $85.00 |
| Standard specialty plates | Varies | Varies |
All specialty plates require the standard $8.00 plate manufacturing fee for initial issuance.
Veteran and Disability Exemptions
New Hampshire provides full registration fee exemptions for:
- Veterans with permanent and total service-connected disabilities
- Veterans with total blindness from service-connected disability
- Former prisoners of war from qualifying conflicts
- Amputees or paraplegics who received vehicles from the U.S. government
Registration Renewal Costs
Annual renewals require:
- Full state and municipal fees (non-prorated for 12-month renewal)
- Municipal agent fee: $3.00 (if using municipal service)
- Data processing fee: $1.00 (some municipalities)
New Hampshire registration expires on the owner's birth month, and fees are prorated based on the number of months until the next birthday. Vehicles previously registered must renew for a full 12-month period if renewed within 12 months of expiration.
Registration costs exclude sales tax, which New Hampshire does not impose on vehicle purchases. Municipal permit fees may be tax-deductible as personal property taxes on federal income tax returns, while state fees are not deductible.
For fee calculations specific to your municipality, contact your local town or city clerk or visit the New Hampshire DMV for current state fee information.
