Registering a Vehicle in Utah

Vehicle registration in Utah runs through the Utah Division of Motor Vehicles, an arm of the State Tax Commission rather than the Driver License Division that handles the driver license. That structure means registration counters often share a building with state tax offices, and registration fees flow through the Tax Commission alongside sales tax.

The 60-day deadline

New Utah residents have 60 days from the date of establishing residency to register any vehicle they intend to drive in the state. Buyers of a used vehicle have 60 days from the purchase date to title and register in their name. Driving on out-of-state plates beyond the 60-day window can result in a citation, a higher penalty fee at registration, and sales tax assessed at the higher of purchase price or the Tax Commission's book value.

What you need to register

For an in-state purchase from a Utah dealer, the dealer typically handles the title and first registration as part of the deal — the buyer drives away with a temporary tag and receives plates and registration in the mail. For a private-party purchase or an out-of-state move, the registrant takes the following to a Utah DMV branch or partner office:

• The properly assigned title from the seller, with odometer disclosure on titles fewer than 10 model years old.
• A bill of sale showing the purchase price and date.
• A completed TC-656 Vehicle Application for Utah Title.
• Proof of Utah liability insurance meeting the 25/65/15 minimum with $3,000 PIP — see Utah car insurance.
• A completed safety inspection certificate (only required on commercial vehicles, salvage rebuilds, or vehicles being titled in Utah for the first time after coming from out of state) and an emissions certificate if the vehicle will be registered in an emissions county.
• VIN inspection (TC-661) if the vehicle is being titled in Utah for the first time from out of state, performed by a peace officer, certified mechanic, or DMV examiner.
• Payment for sales tax, title, registration, and the Uniform Fee.

Sales tax

Utah charges 4.85% state sales tax on motor vehicle purchases plus the local option rate of the buyer's home county and city. Total combined rates run from about 6.10% in some rural counties to 8.85% in parts of the Wasatch Front. Sales tax on a private-party purchase is based on the higher of the actual price paid or a fair market value the Tax Commission can assess if the reported price looks unrealistic. There is no separate sales tax credit for trade-ins on private-party deals.

Title and registration fees

The flat fee schedule for a typical passenger vehicle:

• Title fee: $6.
• Registration base fee: $44.
• Uninsured motorist database fee: $1.
• Local automobile-driver-education fee: $2.50 in some counties.
• County air-quality fee: typically $3 in Salt Lake, Davis, Weber, Utah, Cache, and Box Elder counties.

The Uniform Fee in lieu of property tax

Utah's signature registration cost is the age-based Uniform Fee in lieu of property tax. The fee replaces the personal property tax that other states collect annually on vehicles. The schedule is highest in the first year of a vehicle's life and steps down each year:

• Vehicles less than 3 years old: roughly $150 (verify current schedule).
• Vehicles 3-6 years old: roughly $110.
• Vehicles 6-9 years old: roughly $80.
• Vehicles 9-12 years old: roughly $50.
• Vehicles 12+ years old: $10 flat.

Motor homes, larger commercial vehicles, and vehicles weighing more than 12,000 pounds use a separate fee schedule based on percentage of fair market value rather than the flat age-based table.

Emissions and inspection

Six counties — Salt Lake, Davis, Weber, Utah, Cache, and Box Elder — require an annual emissions inspection on vehicles 1968 and newer at first registration and at each renewal. Vehicles less than 6 years old in some counties qualify for a less-frequent test cycle. The inspection certificate is electronically transmitted to the Tax Commission. Statewide annual safety inspection has been phased out for most non-commercial passenger vehicles, with safety inspection still required for commercial fleets and for vehicles being titled in Utah for the first time after coming from out of state.

Plates and registration card

The DMV issues two metal plates for most passenger vehicles and a registration card that lives in the glove box or center console with the driver's insurance ID card. Personalized plates, special interest plates, and historic vehicle plates carry an additional fee at issuance. Renewal happens annually — see Utah registration renewal for the online and On the Spot options.