Real North Dakota deals, worked out
Each example runs through the same calculator above, line by line, so you can check every number yourself.
1Fargo: new car with a trade-in
A buyer pays $35,000 and trades in $10,000. The 5% excise tax is on $25,000.
| Vehicle price | $35,000.00 |
| Motor vehicle excise tax (5%) on $25,000.00 | $1,250.00 |
| Title fee | $5.00 |
| Abandoned vehicle disposal fee | $1.50 |
| Out-the-door | $36,256.50 |
| Due after the $10,000 trade-in | $26,256.50 |
2New electric car
A buyer pays $42,000 for an electric car and pays the $120 road use fee each year.
| Vehicle price | $42,000.00 |
| Motor vehicle excise tax (5%) on $42,000.00 | $2,100.00 |
| Title fee | $5.00 |
| Abandoned vehicle disposal fee | $1.50 |
| Road use (electric vehicle) | $120.00 |
| Out-the-door | $44,226.50 |
How the excise tax works
Under N.D.C.C. 57-40.3, the purchase price is the sales price less any trade-in amount, and the dealer lists the traded car by year, make and VIN. Cars acquired some other way are taxed on fair market value.
Registration is set by weight and the year first registered, using the DOT's passenger fee chart. A 2025 bill proposed raising the EV road use fee to $150.
North Dakota 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 North Dakota's rules.
| Price | Tax | Tax with $10,000 trade-in | Taxes + fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| $15,000 | $750.00 | $250.00 | $756.50 |
| $25,000 | $1,250.00 | $750.00 | $1,256.50 |
| $35,000 | $1,750.00 | $1,250.00 | $1,756.50 |
| $50,000 | $2,500.00 | $2,000.00 | $2,506.50 |
North Dakota taxes and fees at a glance
Officialfrom a state agency sourceEst.varies or not yet confirmed
| Item (fargo: new car with a trade-in) | Status | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Motor vehicle excise tax (5%) | Official | $1,250.00 |
| Title fee | Official | $5.00 |
| Abandoned vehicle disposal fee | Official | $1.50 |
| Total taxes and fees | $1,256.50 |
North Dakota car tax FAQ
What is the car sales tax in North Dakota?
A 5% motor vehicle excise tax on the price minus your trade-in.
How much is a North Dakota title?
$5, plus $1.50 for the abandoned vehicle fund on a first ND title.
Is there an EV fee in North Dakota?
Yes, a $120 yearly road use fee.
Sources
We build every number from these agency pages. If something has changed, tell us and we'll fix it.