How Much Does It Cost To Register a Car in Connecticut in 2025
Connecticut vehicle registration costs consist of base registration fees covering two-year periods, mandatory administrative and environmental fees, and separate municipal property taxes. The state maintains a uniform fee structure across all municipalities, with registrations requiring renewal every two years.
Base Registration Fees
Connecticut operates a structured fee system with standardized two-year registration periods for most passenger vehicles. The official fee schedule shows registration fees without specifying the exact duration for each vehicle type, but Connecticut law requires registration renewal every two years.
Passenger Vehicle Registration Fees
| Vehicle Type | Registration Fee | Registration Period |
|---|---|---|
| Regular Passenger Car, SUV, Van | $120.00 | 2 years |
| Electric Passenger Car | $120.00 | 2 years |
| Combination Passenger Car | $132.00 | 2 years |
| Classic Passenger Car, SUV, Truck, Van, Bus, Motorhome | $120.00 | 2 years |
Motorcycle Registration Fees
| Vehicle Type | Registration Fee | Registration Period |
|---|---|---|
| Regular Motorcycle | $63.00 | 2 years |
| Classic Motorcycle | $63.00 | 2 years |
| Commercial Motorcycle | $90.00 | Annual |
Commercial and Heavy Vehicle Registration Fees
| Vehicle Type | Registration Fee | Registration Period |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial Passenger Car, SUV, Truck, Van, Bus, Motorhome | Based on GVWR | Annual |
| Heavy-Duty Truck or Truck Tractor | $326.00 | Annual |
| Wrecker | $125.00 | Annual |
| Special Mobile (Commercial – Agricultural) | $400.00 | Annual |
Specialty Vehicle Registration Fees
| Vehicle Type | Registration Fee | Registration Period |
|---|---|---|
| Regular Trailer | $28.50 | 2 years |
| Semi-trailer | $40.00 per year | 1-5 years (owner choice) |
| Motorhome | $112.50 | 2 years |
| All-terrain Vehicle (ATV) | $30.00 | Annual |
| Snowmobile | $30.00 | Annual |
Current fee schedules are maintained by the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles.
Local and County Registration Fees
Connecticut maintains a uniform statewide fee structure with no county or municipal variations in vehicle registration costs. All fees are established by state statute and apply consistently across all 169 Connecticut municipalities.
Standardized Administrative Fees
All Connecticut vehicle registrations include the same mandatory administrative fees:
| Fee Type | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Administrative Fee | $10.00 | DMV processing and administration |
| Plate Fee | $5.00 | Standard license plates |
| Plate Fee (Classic vehicles) | $7.00 | Classic vehicle plates |
| Title Fee | $25.00 | Title processing and documentation |
| Lien Fee (if applicable) | $10.00 | Lienholder documentation |
Connecticut's uniform fee structure ensures no additional charges based on geographic location within the state.
Mandatory Processing and Administrative Fees
All Connecticut vehicle registrations include several mandatory state-imposed fees supporting environmental and recreational programs:
Environmental and Conservation Fees
| Fee Type | Amount | Vehicle Types | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clean Air Act Fee | $15.00 | Most passenger vehicles | Environmental compliance programs |
| Clean Air Act Fee | $10.00 | Motorcycles, ATVs, snowmobiles | Environmental compliance programs |
| Clean Air Act Fee | $5.00 | Commercial vehicles, buses | Environmental compliance programs |
| Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fee | $15.00 | New passenger vehicles with certificate of origin | Climate change initiatives |
| Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fee | $10.00 | Classic motorcycles | Climate change initiatives |
| Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fee | $5.00 | Commercial vehicles (if applicable) | Climate change initiatives |
Parks and Recreation Fees
Passport to the Parks Fee:
- Current Fee: $15.00
- Effective July 1, 2025: $24.00
- Applies to most passenger vehicles, motorcycles, and recreational vehicles
- Provides access to Connecticut state parks and forests
Emissions-Related Fees
Emissions Exemption Fee: $40.00
- Applied to vehicles four years old or newer
- Required for vehicles exempt from emissions testing due to age
- Applies to most passenger cars, SUVs, trucks, and commercial vehicles
Special Equipment Fees
Special Mobile Fee: $10.00
- Applied to special mobile equipment and machinery
- Additional fee beyond standard registration costs
The Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles provides complete details about which fees apply to specific vehicle types.
Special Regional Requirements
Connecticut operates uniform statewide requirements with no regional variations in registration fees or procedures.
Statewide Emissions Testing
Connecticut maintains a statewide emissions testing program with consistent requirements across all municipalities:
Connecticut Emissions Testing Requirements:
- Required for most gasoline and diesel vehicles
- Vehicles exempt for first four model years
- Vehicles 25 model years or older are exempt
- Testing required every two years after exemption period expires
Emissions Testing Fee: $20.00
- Paid directly to testing facility
- Not included in registration fees
- Late fee of $20.00 applies for overdue testing
No Regional Variations
Connecticut maintains uniform requirements statewide:
- No county-based fee differences
- No regional emissions testing areas
- No municipal registration fee additions
- Consistent processing requirements across all DMV locations
Testing information is available through CT Emissions.
Title Fees
Connecticut title fees are standardized statewide and included in most vehicle registration transactions:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Title Fee (with registration) | $25.00 |
| Title Only (no registration) | $25.00 + $10.00 administrative fee |
| Lien Filing | $10.00 |
Title fees apply to most vehicle types and are required for ownership documentation.
Motor Vehicle Property Tax
Connecticut assesses annual property tax on motor vehicles separate from registration fees. This tax is administered by individual municipalities and varies significantly across the state.
Property Tax Assessment Structure
Assessment Basis (2024 and later):
- Motor vehicles assessed at 70% of depreciated MSRP value
- Assessment date: October 1 annually
- Tax rates (mill rates) set by individual municipalities
- Maximum Motor Vehicle Mill Rate: 32.46 mills (state-imposed cap)
Municipal Tax Rate Examples (2024 Grand List)
| Municipality | Motor Vehicle Mill Rate | Annual Tax on $20,000 Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Bristol | 32.46 mills | $649.20 |
| Plainville | 32.46 mills | $649.20 |
| Cheshire | 29.74 mills | $594.80 |
| Monroe | 28.67 mills | $573.40 |
| Tolland | 27.19 mills | $543.80 |
Motor vehicle property tax information for all Connecticut municipalities is available through the Connecticut General Assembly and individual municipal tax collectors.
Special Circumstances and Pro-rated Fees
Connecticut provides pro-rated registration fees for certain vehicle types and time periods:
Pro-rated Registration Periods
Several vehicle categories offer pro-rated fees based on registration timing:
- Bus registrations: Pro-rated from October 1 to February 29
- School bus registrations: Pro-rated from March 1 to July 31
- Service bus registrations: Pro-rated from March 1 to July 31
- Ambulance registrations: Pro-rated from January to February
Pick-up Truck Classification
Pick-up trucks can be registered as passenger vehicles if:
- Gross weight does not exceed 8,550 pounds
- Vehicle is not being used for commercial purposes
- Registration fee remains the same as passenger vehicle rate
Official Resources
Vehicle registration in Connecticut is processed through DMV hub and branch offices, as well as authorized locations including select AAA branches (Danbury, Fairfield, and Norwalk) and Nutmeg State Financial Credit Union locations. Note that AAA locations and credit union locations may charge an additional convenience fee of up to $8 per DMV transaction.
For information on registration services, visit the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles.
Motor vehicle property tax information is available through individual municipal tax assessors and collectors. Sales tax information and exemptions are detailed on the Connecticut DMV Sales Tax page.
