"$700 to register your car??"-- A question asked by a recent transplant to Minnesota.

Picture this: You just traded in your 14-year-old pickup for a brand-new $45,000 truck. You used to pay around $60-$70 to register your old truck, but this year you had to pay more than $700 to register the new one -- holy buckets that's a big difference!

So what gives? How exactly is the amount you pay to register your vehicle in Minnesota determined?

It depends on several factors.

How Much Does it Cost to Register Your Car in Minnesota?

how much cost register car minnesota
Canva
loading...

First, there are $11.25 in universal fees that apply to every vehicle registration in Minnesota: a $1 office fee, an $8 filing fee, and a $2.25 technology surcharge.

Next, the registration fee is determined by the base value of the vehicle when it was purchased and its current age.

RELATED: Which Brand of Car is the Most Popular in Minnesota?

As of January 1, 2024, first-year registration of a vehicle in Minnesota will now cost you 1.575% of the MSRP.

So that $45,000 2024 truck you just bought will cost you $720 to register for the first time in Minnesota.

But wait, there's more!

Some Minnesota Counties Charge Additional Vehicle "Wheelage Tax"

mn wheelage tax counties
Canva
loading...

Now, don't forget about the $10-20 "wheelage tax" some Minnesota counties tack on that goes directly to that specific county's road repairs.

30 Minnesota counties impose a $10 wheelage tax, three counties $15, and 18 counties have opted to impose the maximum $20 wheelage tax. 32 counties in Minnesota have decided not to impose a wheelage tax.

So if you live in Hennepin County, the first-year registration of your new truck just went up 20 more bucks.

Does the Cost of My Minnesota Car Tabs Ever Go Down?

minnesota car tabs cost goes down
Canva
loading...

Yes! The seemingly high cost to register new vehicles in Minnesota does go down over the years based on an MSRP depreciation model.

In the first year, the registration fee is based on 100 percent of the car's MSRP and goes down as follows:

  • 2nd year: 95%
  • 3rd year: 90%
  • 4th year: 80%
  • 5th year: 70%
  • 6th year: 60%
  • 7th year: 50%
  • 8th year: 40%
  • 9th year: 25%
  • 10th year: 10%

The registration for vehicles 11 years and older is now set at $20.

LOOK: 21 Marvels Minnesota is Now Famous For

There are different registration taxes for larger vehicles like certain trucks, buses, and commuter vans based on weight. You can find detailed information about vehicle registration taxes and fees on the Minnesota Legislature website.

Why Are Minnesota Vehicle Registration Tabs So Expensive?

why is minnesota car registration tabs so expensive
Canva
loading...

During the Jesse Ventura gubernatorial days in Minnesota, vehicle registration tabs were a flat $189 for a new car and then went down to a flat $89 the years after.

That was a popular registration model until 2008, CBS reports, when lawmakers decided we needed more revenue to maintain, fix, and build roads.

CHECK IT OUT: 8 Most Affordable Cities to Live in Minnesota

Minnesota spends around $2.7 billion per year on transportation, and 18% comes from vehicle registration tax and fees. The rest comes from vehicle sales tax, fuel tax, air/waterway/rail, and other transportation taxes and fees.

Also worth noting is Minnesota does not have any toll roads.

The good news: part of your car registration fee can be deducted from your Minnesota taxes as a personal property tax.

106.9 KROC-FM logo
Get our free mobile app

LOOK: Counties with the most bridges in dire need of repair in Minnesota

Stacker investigated which counties in Minnesota have the most bridges in dire need of repair using data from the Federal Highway Administration.

Gallery Credit: Stacker

21 Amazing Things Minnesota is Known For

Minnesota has no shortage of natural beauty and culture-rich traditions, but what are some of the most notable things the state is responsible for giving the world? Here's a list of some of the most recognizable people, places, and things Minnesota is famous for.

Gallery Credit: Minnesota Now

More From 106.9 KROC-FM