Connecticut Title Transfer Cost Calculator
Use this calculator to estimate the cost of transferring a vehicle title in Connecticut. Fees are administered by Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles; the figures shown are the latest published amounts we could verify against the official source. County and dealer-specific charges are not included unless your state schedule lists them.
Connecticut title transfer cost — quick answer
Title fee
$25.00
flat statewide fee
Motor vehicle tax
6.35%
of purchase price (state minimums may apply)
Deadline applies: Late filing adds penalties — check the official source for the exact deadline in your state.
Source: Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles — use the calculator below for your specific estimate.
Estimate your Connecticut title transfer cost
Enter the sale price to see an estimated total. Numbers update as you type. County and dealer-specific add-ons are not included — see What this excludes below.
Used only to remind you that your county may add local fees not shown here.
Connecticut title transfer fee breakdown
| Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Title transfer fee | $25.00 |
| Base registration fee | Check official source |
| State sales/use tax rate | 6.35% |
| Plate fee | Check official source |
| Weight / value-based components | Standard biennial passenger registration plus a Clean Air Act fee and other line items; trucks tiered by weight. |
Connecticut title fee is $25. State sales/use tax is 6.35% on vehicles under $50,000 and 7.75% on vehicles $50,000 and over. Cities and towns separately bill an annual local motor vehicle property tax based on the vehicle's assessed value and the local mill rate.
What may change your final title transfer cost in Connecticut
These factors are specific to Connecticut and are common reasons the final amount you pay differs from the calculator estimate.
County and local fees in Connecticut
Connecticut has no county-level sales tax — the state rate is uniform statewide. The local cost variance comes from the annual motor vehicle property tax billed by each of the 169 cities and towns. Mill rates and assessment ratios vary widely: Hartford, Bridgeport, and Waterbury historically run higher than wealthy suburban towns. The Office of Policy and Management publishes the motor-vehicle mill rate cap each year (currently capped at 32.46 mills as of recent legislation).
Source ↗Late title-transfer penalties
Connecticut requires the buyer to register the vehicle within 60 days of taking delivery. After that, the DMV may assess late fees and the Department of Revenue Services may assess interest on unpaid sales/use tax. Late or non-payment of the annual local motor vehicle property tax results in towns flagging the vehicle for non-renewal at the DMV.
Source ↗Safety inspection requirements
Connecticut does not require a routine annual safety inspection for most passenger vehicles. A DMV inspection is required for salvaged/rebuilt titles, composite vehicles, kit cars, and vehicles brought from out of state that the DMV flags during titling. Commercial vehicles are subject to a separate inspection schedule.
Source ↗Emissions testing in Connecticut
Connecticut requires biennial emissions testing for most gasoline-powered vehicles registered in the state. The Connecticut Vehicle Inspection Program (CT VIP) covers OBD-II checks at state-licensed stations. Vehicles less than four model years old, new vehicles registered for the first time, and certain electric/hybrid models are exempt. Diesel light-duty vehicles also fall under specialized testing rules.
Source ↗If the vehicle has a lien
Connecticut records liens electronically through the DMV's Electronic Lien & Title (ELT) system; most large lenders participate. When a lien is recorded electronically, no paper title is produced — the DMV holds the title electronically until the lien is satisfied. A separate lien-recording fee applies in addition to the title fee.
Source ↗Where you actually file in Connecticut
Connecticut DMV operates a network of branch offices across the state plus authorized AAA locations for certain transactions. Many renewals can be done online, but private-party first-time titling generally requires an in-person visit. Connecticut does not have a county-level DMV.
Source ↗Connecticut sales and use tax on vehicle transfers
How Connecticut calculates the tax
Connecticut uses a tiered vehicle sales/use tax: 6.35% on vehicles priced under $50,000 and 7.75% on vehicles priced $50,000 or more (the higher rate is sometimes called the "luxury rate"). Both dealer and private-party purchases pay the same rate, calculated by the DMV at title transfer on the actual sale price or NADA clean-trade value, whichever is higher. Family transfers between immediate family members may qualify for an exemption.
Source ↗Dealer purchase vs. private-party sale
Connecticut dealers collect the 6.35% or 7.75% sales tax at delivery and process the H-13B and title paperwork through the DMV's dealer system. Private-party buyers must visit a DMV branch with the signed title, application, proof of insurance, and ID within 60 days; the DMV collects sales/use tax at the same visit using the higher of declared price or NADA clean-trade value.
Source ↗Example title transfer estimate in Connecticut
Olivia buys a used 2021 Honda Civic from a private seller in Hartford, Connecticut for $19,000.
| Vehicle purchase price | $19,000.00 |
| Title fee | $25.00 |
| State sales / use tax | $1,206.50 |
| Standard biennial passenger registration line items (approximate) | $120.00 |
| Estimated total out the door | $20,351.50 |
Because Olivia's purchase price is under $50,000, she pays the 6.35% rate ($1,206.50) on the $19,000 sale at the Connecticut DMV. She also pays the $25 title fee and approximately $120 in biennial registration line items (confirm exact total on the DMV fee page). A few months later, the City of Hartford will mail her an annual motor vehicle property tax bill based on the car's assessed value and Hartford's motor-vehicle mill rate. Her vehicle will eventually need a CT VIP emissions test on the biennial cycle.
Required Connecticut forms
- Form H-13BApplication for Registration and Certificate of Titlebuyer
- Form Q-1Affidavit of Loss / Replacement Titleapplicant
Official Connecticut sources
Related Connecticut resources
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to transfer a car title in Connecticut?
The Connecticut title transfer fee is $25.00, plus any applicable state sales/use tax (6.35%), registration fees, and county or local add-ons. Use the calculator above for an estimate; confirm the final number with Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles before paying.
Why is Connecticut sales tax higher on more expensive cars?
Connecticut applies a tiered sales/use tax to vehicles: 6.35% on vehicles priced under $50,000 and 7.75% on vehicles priced $50,000 or more. The higher tier is sometimes called the "luxury rate." The break is based on the actual purchase price (or NADA clean-trade value, whichever is higher), so a $49,000 car is taxed at 6.35% and a $50,000 car is taxed at 7.75% on the full price.
What is the Connecticut local motor vehicle property tax?
Every Connecticut city and town levies an annual property tax on motor vehicles registered to addresses in that town. The tax is calculated as the vehicle's assessed value (typically 70% of NADA average) times the town's motor-vehicle mill rate. The mill rate is currently capped by the state at 32.46 mills for the motor-vehicle category, but towns set their own rate up to that cap. A new car in a high-rate town can owe several hundred dollars per year.
Do I need an emissions test to title a car in Connecticut?
Most gas-powered vehicles in Connecticut need a CT VIP emissions test on a biennial cycle for ongoing registration. New vehicles getting their first Connecticut registration and vehicles less than four model years old are typically exempt their first cycle. The emissions check is separate from the title transfer itself but is required before the registration sticker can be issued in many cases.
Last reviewed: 2026-01-01 · Reviewed by the Car Paperwork editorial team · Based on official Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles sources · Independent resource · Not legal advice