Real District of Columbia deals, worked out
Each example runs through the same calculator above, line by line, so you can check every number yourself.
1Midsize SUV at 24 mpg
A buyer titles a $40,000 SUV weighing 4,200 pounds that gets 24 mpg in the city. That's the 6% band for its weight class.
| Vehicle price | $40,000.00 |
| Excise tax (6% of fair market value) on $40,000.00 | $2,400.00 |
| Title fee | $30.00 |
| Registration | $175.00 |
| Out-the-door | $42,605.00 |
2Light electric car
A buyer titles a $38,000 electric car under 3,500 pounds. Electric cars in the lightest class pay just 1%.
| Vehicle price | $38,000.00 |
| Excise tax (1% of fair market value) on $38,000.00 | $380.00 |
| Title fee | $30.00 |
| Registration | $70.00 |
| Out-the-door | $38,480.00 |
How the excise tax is set
Since February 17, 2025, the DMV calculates the excise tax as the car's fair market value times a percentage from its table. Fair market value comes from the NADA guide, not your price, so a trade-in or discount doesn't lower it. The percentage depends on unladen weight and city mpg, rounded down.
| Unladen weight | ≤20 mpg | 21–25 | 26–30 | 31–39 | 40+ | Electric |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3,499 lbs or less | 9.0% | 5.0% | 3.1% | 2.2% | 1.5% | 1.0% |
| 3,500 – 4,999 lbs | 10.0% | 6.0% | 4.1% | 3.2% | 2.5% | 2.0% |
| 5,000 lbs or more | 11.0% | 7.0% | 5.1% | 4.2% | 3.5% | 3.0% |
DC DMV excise tax rates effective February 17, 2025.
District of Columbia car tax at common prices
What a new gas car bought from a dealer comes to at four prices. The trade-in column shows how much a $10,000 trade-in changes the tax under District of Columbia's rules.
| Price | Tax | Tax with $10,000 trade-in | Taxes + fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| $15,000 | $615.00 | $615.00 | $820.00 |
| $25,000 | $1,025.00 | $1,025.00 | $1,230.00 |
| $35,000 | $1,435.00 | $1,435.00 | $1,640.00 |
| $50,000 | $2,050.00 | $2,050.00 | $2,255.00 |
Title and registration
The title fee is $30, and recording a lien costs $20. Registration is by weight class: $70 a year for passenger cars under 3,500 pounds and $175 for 3,500 to 4,999 pounds, the rates effective March 30, 2026.
District of Columbia taxes and fees at a glance
Officialfrom a state agency sourceEst.varies or not yet confirmed
| Item (midsize suv at 24 mpg) | Status | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Excise tax (6% of fair market value) | Estimate | $2,400.00 |
| Title fee | Official | $30.00 |
| Registration (yearly) | Official | $175.00 |
| Total taxes and fees | $2,605.00 |
District of Columbia car tax FAQ
Does DC charge sales tax on cars?
No. DC charges a one-time excise tax at titling based on fair market value, weight and fuel economy.
Does a trade-in lower DC excise tax?
No. The tax is on the car's fair market value, not the price after a trade-in.
How much is DC car registration?
$70 a year under 3,500 pounds and $175 from 3,500 to 4,999 pounds, from March 30, 2026.
Sources
We build every number from these agency pages. If something has changed, tell us and we'll fix it.