Registering a Car New in New Jersey involves several fees to be aware of. These fees cover titling, registration, sales tax, and potentially an electric vehicle fee. Let’s break down each of these costs to help you understand what to expect when you register your new vehicle with the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (NJMVC).
Titling Fee
The titling fee is a one-time charge to establish ownership of your car new. The standard titling fee is $60. However, this fee increases if you financed your vehicle. If your car new is financed and involves one lien, the titling fee is $85. For vehicles financed with two liens, the fee is $110. This fee ensures your ownership is officially recorded.
Registration Fee
The registration fee for your car new is dependent on the type of vehicle you are registering. This fee includes your license plates. For car new vehicles that have never been titled before, you will receive a four-year registration. If you are leasing your car new, the registration duration will align with the length of your lease agreement. To get an estimate of your specific registration fee, you can use the fee calculator provided by the NJMVC.
Sales Tax Fee
You will also need to pay sales tax when registering your car new. The amount of sales tax due depends on the purchase price of your vehicle and the current New Jersey sales tax rate. If you require assistance in calculating the exact sales tax amount for your car new, it is recommended to contact the New Jersey Division of Taxation directly at 609-984-6206. They can provide accurate guidance based on your specific situation.
Electric Vehicle Fee
If you are registering a car new that is a zero emission vehicle (ZEV), there is an additional annual fee to consider. Effective July 1, 2024, New Jersey law mandates an annual fee for ZEVs, in addition to the standard registration fee. This additional fee applies to any vehicle certified as a ZEV under California Air Resources Board standards. For car new ZEVs registered from July 1, 2024, the initial annual fee is $250. This fee is set to increase by $10 each year for the subsequent four years.
For newly registered ZEVs, you will be required to pay four years of this additional fee upfront at the time of the initial four-year registration. For instance, if you register your car new ZEV between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025, the additional fee payable at registration covers the years 2024, 2025, 2026, and 2027.
The NJMVC is currently updating their systems to implement this new electric vehicle fee. For car new ZEVs registered between July 1, 2024, and August 31, 2024, the NJMVC will send a separate notice to collect the additional fee after the initial registration is processed. Therefore, if you are registering a car new ZEV during this period, be prepared to receive a notification regarding this fee.
