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North Dakota Car Sales Tax Calculator

North Dakota doesn't charge regular sales tax on a vehicle. Instead it charges a Motor Vehicle Excise Tax of 5% on the purchase price after your trade-in allowance, paid when you register the vehicle. Enter your numbers to see the estimate.

Last reviewed: September 25, 2026Reviewed by Michael Steve

Calculate Your North Dakota Car Sales Tax

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The selling price on your buyer’s order.

What the dealer credits you.

State
North DakotaChange state

Condition

Title, registration, license, and document fees that are separately stated are excluded from North Dakota's excise tax base.

Advanced options

Enter your own amounts where you know them. They replace our estimates.

Replaces the state estimate.

Replaces the state estimate.

Plates, inspections, add-ons.

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Estimated out-the-door price

$0.00

Enter a vehicle price to see your estimate.

Vehicle price
$0.00
Trade-in
—
Taxable amount
$0.00
Motor Vehicle Excise Tax (5%)
$0.00
Title fee
$0.00
Registration fee
$0.00
Dealer / documentation fee
—
Estimated total
$0.00
How this estimate was calculated

    Estimates are for informational purposes only. Actual taxes and fees may vary based on your location, vehicle, transaction and current state rules.

    Estimated North Dakota Car Sales Tax

    Motor Vehicle Excise Tax5%
    Local taxNone on vehicles
    Trade-inLowers taxable price
    Dealer feeNot taxed when separately stated

    In place of sales tax, North Dakota charges a Motor Vehicle Excise Tax of 5% on the purchase price, or on the vehicle's fair market value if it wasn't acquired through a purchase, which comes to $1,250.00 on a $25,000 purchase with no trade-in.

    The tax is on the purchase price less any trade-in amount, and it's remitted to the North Dakota Department of Transportation when you register the vehicle, in addition to registration fees for the plates themselves.

    Title, registration, license, and document fees that are separately stated are not part of the taxable purchase price when the excise tax is calculated.

    North Dakota Car Title and Registration Fees

    North Dakota's title fee is $5. Registration is an annual fee based on the vehicle's weight and how long it's been registered, so we have not added a single flat figure; enter your own amount under Advanced options.

    FeeAmountNotes
    Title feeTitle$5.00The standard certificate of title fee.
    Registration feeRegistrationVariesBased on the vehicle's weight and how long it's been registered. Enter your amount under Advanced options.
    Dealer documentation feeSet by the dealerVariesBecause a separately stated document fee is excluded from the taxable price by rule, we have marked it as not taxable here; confirm with the dealer that the fee is broken out separately on your invoice.

    How North Dakota Car Sales Tax Is Calculated

    1. Start with the purchase price.
    2. Subtract your trade-in amount.
    3. Multiply the result by the excise tax rate of 5%.
    4. Add the $5 title fee and your weight- and age-based registration fee to reach your out-the-door price.

    The excise tax is separate from registration fees for license plates. Both are paid when you register the vehicle, but they are calculated differently.

    North Dakota's registration fee depends on the vehicle's weight and how many years it's been registered, so check the North Dakota Department of Transportation for your figure. Read how a trade-in affects sales tax to see how North Dakota's excise tax compares with other states.

    Example North Dakota Car Sales Tax Calculation

    This example shows the one-time excise tax; the weight- and age-based registration fee is added separately.

    Vehicle price$25,000.00
    Trade-in−$5,000.00
    Taxable amount$20,000.00
    Motor Vehicle Excise Tax (5%)$1,000.00
    Title fee$5.00
    Registration feeNot included
    Estimated total$21,005.00

    This is an illustration, not a quote.

    Frequently Asked Questions About North Dakota Car Sales Tax

    Does North Dakota charge sales tax on a car?

    Not regular sales tax. North Dakota charges a Motor Vehicle Excise Tax of 5% instead, on the purchase price after your trade-in amount.

    Does a trade-in reduce North Dakota's excise tax?

    Yes. The tax applies to the purchase price less any trade-in amount.

    Is the dealer documentation fee taxed in North Dakota?

    Title, registration, license, and document fees that are separately stated on the invoice are excluded from the taxable purchase price by rule.

    How much is the title fee in North Dakota?

    The title fee is $5. Registration is a separate fee based on the vehicle's weight and how long it's been registered.

    Sources

    Taxes and fees change, so confirm exact amounts with the agencies above.

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