How Much Does It Cost To Register a Car in Washington in 2025
Vehicle registration costs in Washington State consist of multiple components that vary based on vehicle type, weight, location, and special circumstances. All vehicle owners pay a base registration fee, with additional charges determined by factors including vehicle specifications and regional requirements.
Base Registration Fees by Vehicle Type
Washington State establishes standard registration fees for different vehicle categories, with most fees remaining consistent statewide before local additions.
| Vehicle Type | Registration Fee | License Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Passenger vehicles | $30 | $30 |
| Motorcycles | $30 | $20 |
| Mopeds | $30 | - |
| Trailers (under 2,000 lbs) | $15 | - |
| All-terrain vehicles (ATV) - on/off road | $30 | - |
| All-terrain vehicles (ATV) - off-road only | $18 | - |
| Off-road vehicles (ORV) | $18 | - |
| Snowmobiles (under 30 years) | $50 | - |
| Snowmobiles (30+ years) | $12 | - |
| Campers (original) | $4.90 | - |
| Campers (renewal) | $3.50 | - |
The base vehicle registration fee applies to all vehicle types, while license fees vary by category. These fees fund Washington State Ferries, State Patrol operations, and the Motor Vehicle Fund according to RCW 46.17.350.
Vehicle Weight Fees
Vehicles subject to weight-based licensing pay fees according to declared gross weight, with different schedules for various operational purposes.
Current Weight Fee Schedule (Through December 31, 2025)
| Declared Gross Weight | Schedule A | Schedule B |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 4,000 lbs | $53 | $53 |
| Up to 6,000 lbs | $73 | $73 |
| Up to 8,000 lbs | $93 | $93 |
| Up to 10,000 lbs | $93 | $93 |
| Up to 12,000 lbs | $81 | $81 |
| Up to 14,000 lbs | $88 | $88 |
| Up to 16,000 lbs | $100 | $100 |
| Up to 18,000 lbs | $152 | $152 |
| Up to 20,000 lbs | $169 | $169 |
Schedule A applies to vehicles used exclusively for hauling logs or vehicles that do not tow trailers. Schedule B applies to vehicles that tow trailers and are not covered under Schedule A, as specified in RCW 46.17.355.
Updated Weight Fee Schedule (Effective January 1, 2026)
| Declared Gross Weight | Schedule A | Schedule B |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 4,000 lbs | $53 | $53 |
| Up to 6,000 lbs | $80 | $80 |
| Up to 8,000 lbs | $110 | $110 |
| Up to 10,000 lbs | $140 | $140 |
| Up to 12,000 lbs | $147.85 | $147.85 |
| Up to 14,000 lbs | $182.60 | $182.60 |
| Up to 16,000 lbs | $208.70 | $208.70 |
Beginning July 1, 2026, weight fees will increase annually by two percent, rounded to the nearest five cents.
Additional Weight Fees
All vehicles with declared gross weight of 12,000 pounds or less pay an additional $10 weight fee, implemented effective July 1, 2022. This fee applies to passenger vehicles, light trucks, and commercial vehicles under the weight threshold, distributed to the Freight Mobility Investment Account and Multimodal Transportation Account per RCW 46.17.355.
Vehicles over 10,000 pounds declared gross weight pay a freight project fee equal to 15 percent of the base weight fee, rounded to the nearest dollar.
Transportation Benefit District Fees by Jurisdiction
Local Transportation Benefit Districts impose additional vehicle registration fees to fund transportation projects. Fees range from $10 to $50 per vehicle annually, depending on the jurisdiction.
$50 Annual Fee Jurisdictions
- Lake Forest Park (effective September 1, 2009)
- Seattle (effective January 18, 2024)
$40 Annual Fee Jurisdictions
- Bainbridge Island (effective August 1, 2013)
- Black Diamond (effective January 14, 2025)
- Des Moines (effective September 1, 2009)
- Edmonds (effective March 31, 2024)
- Longview (effective August 1, 2017)
- Lynnwood (effective July 1, 2011)
- Olympia (effective October 1, 2009)
- Shoreline (effective February 1, 2010)
- Vancouver (effective July 1, 2016)
$25 Annual Fee Jurisdictions
- Prosser (effective November 1, 2009)
$20 Annual Fee Jurisdictions
The following jurisdictions charge $20 annually:
Bremerton, Bridgeport, Buckley, Burien, Camas, Carbonado, Covington, DuPont, Eatonville, Electric City, Elmer City, Enumclaw, Everett, Fife, Grandview, Granite Falls, Jefferson County, Kelso, Kenmore, Kirkland, Kittitas, Lakewood, Maple Valley, Mercer Island, Mountlake Terrace, Normandy Park, Port Orchard, Poulsbo, Richland, Roy, Royal City, Sedro-Woolley, Soap Lake, Spokane, Spokane Valley, Tacoma, Toppenish, Wapato, Washougal, Wilkeson, Yakima, and Zillah.
$10 Annual Fee Jurisdictions
- University Place (effective June 1, 2021)
The remaining Washington counties and municipalities do not impose Transportation Benefit District fees. These fees fund local road maintenance, transit services, and transportation infrastructure projects as authorized by RCW 36.73.
Mandatory Processing and Administrative Fees
All vehicle registrations include required processing fees collected by the Department of Licensing, county auditors, and authorized agents.
| Fee Type | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Filing Fee - Registration | $4.50 | County distribution per RCW 46.17.005 |
| Filing Fee - Title Only | $5.50 | County distribution |
| Filing Fee - Title with Registration | $10.00 | County distribution |
| Service Fee - Registration | $8.00 | DOL operations |
| Service Fee - Title | $15.00 | DOL operations |
| Service Fee - Title with Registration | $23.00 | DOL operations |
| License Service Fee | $0.75 | DOL Services Account |
Effective January 1, 2026, filing fees will increase to $6.00 for registration and $6.50 for titles, reflecting updates in state legislation.
Regional Transit Authority (RTA) Tax
Residents of King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties within the Sound Transit District pay Regional Transit Authority tax at 1.1% of the vehicle's depreciated value. The tax applies to vehicles registered in the RTA service area and funds Sound Transit's regional mass transit operations.
RTA Tax Calculation
The RTA tax uses the manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) and a state-mandated depreciation schedule:
Formula: Current year - vehicle year + 1 = years of service Depreciated Value: Original MSRP × depreciation percentage RTA Amount: Depreciated value × 1.1%
Vehicle owners can verify RTA requirements using Sound Transit's address verification tool and estimate costs with the DOL RTA calculator.
Electric Vehicle Fees
Washington State imposes additional annual fees on electric and hybrid vehicles to compensate for reduced fuel tax contributions.
| Vehicle Type | Annual Fee | Distribution |
|---|---|---|
| Battery Electric Vehicles | $100 | 70% Motor Vehicle Fund, 15% Transportation Improvement Account, 15% Rural Arterial Trust Account |
| Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles | $50 | First $1 million to Multimodal Transportation Account, remainder to Motor Vehicle Fund |
| Electric Motorcycles | $30 | Motor Vehicle Fund |
| Transportation Electrification Fee | $75 | Electric Vehicle Account |
These fees apply per RCW 46.17.323 and support transportation infrastructure maintenance typically funded through fuel taxes.
Title Fees
Certificate of title fees apply to ownership transfers and new vehicle registrations.
| Service | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate of Title Application | $15 | Standard processing time |
| Quick Title | $50 + standard fees | Expedited processing |
| Duplicate Title | $35.50 | Replacement for lost titles |
| Title Transfer Late Fee | $50 on 16th day, $2/day thereafter (max $125) | Applied to overdue transfers |
Quick titles provide expedited processing but are not available for certain vehicle types including snowmobiles, stolen vehicles, or insurance/wrecker sales. Standard titles typically arrive within 6-8 weeks.
Special Vehicle Categories
Certain vehicle types qualify for alternative fee structures or exemptions.
Antique and Collector Vehicles
Vehicles 30 years or older may qualify for antique registration with reduced fees, though they remain subject to RTA tax if applicable.
Commercial Vehicles
Commercial vehicles pay standard weight-based fees but may qualify for different schedules based on operational use. Commercial vehicles over 6,000 pounds are exempt from Transportation Benefit District fees.
Farm Vehicles
Vehicles used exclusively for farm operations receive exemptions from most fees, including RTA tax and Transportation Benefit District fees.
Reference Resources
Vehicle owners can access current fee calculators and specific cost estimates through official state resources:
- DOL Vehicle Tab Fee Calculator
- RTA Tax Estimator
- Transportation Benefit District Fee List
- Complete Fee Schedule
The Washington State Department of Licensing maintains current fee schedules and statutory requirements at dol.wa.gov, with specific vehicle registration information available through their vehicle registration section.
