Last checked Nov 10, 2026
Buying a car in New Hampshire
The tax you will pay, whether your trade-in lowers it, what the dealer may charge for paperwork, and where to title and register. Taken from official New Hampshire sources.
- State tax on vehicles
- None
- Trade-in lowers tax
- Check with the state
- Doc fee limit
- Check with the state
- Deadline to title or register
- Check with the state
town or city registration permit fee
Sales tax on a car in New Hampshire
New Hampshire does not charge a state sales tax on vehicle purchases.
The town or city collects a registration permit fee of 18 mills per dollar of the maker's list price for a current model year vehicle, stepping down each year to 3 mills for vehicles five or more model years old.
New Hampshire has no general sales tax on goods purchased in the state. A buyer pays a $35 title fee plus state registration fees and the town or city permit fee.
Does a trade-in lower the tax?
We could not confirm this from an official source. Ask the state revenue agency or the dealer to show you the rule.
Dealer doc fees in New Hampshire
We could not confirm from an official source whether the state limits the documentation fee. Ask the dealer for the fee in writing and compare it with other dealers.
Whatever the rule, the fee is part of your out-the-door price. Ask for it in the written quote and negotiate the total, not the line. See dealer fees explained.
Title and registration
Titles and registrations are handled by the New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles. A New Hampshire dealer completes the title application and sends it to the DMV, and gives the buyer a copy to take to the town or city clerk to register the vehicle. Registration starts at the clerk's office in the town or city where the buyer lives.
Also worth knowing
- A dealer issues a temporary plate at sale, and the buyer may drive the vehicle for up to 20 consecutive days before registering it.
- There is an $8 plate fee the first time plates are ordered.
- For a private sale, the buyer applies for the title at the town or city clerk's office and pays the $35 title fee there.
Sources
- New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration: Does New Hampshire have a sales tax? (revenue.nh.gov)
- New Hampshire DMV: Purchasing or Selling a Titled Vehicle (dmv.nh.gov)
- New Hampshire DMV: Vehicle Registrations (dmv.nh.gov)
- New Hampshire RSA 261:153: Fees for registration permits (gc.nh.gov)
- New Hampshire RSA 261:109: Temporary plates (gc.nh.gov)
Last checked Nov 10, 2026; next review by Feb 10, 2027. This page explains how the rules generally work and is not tax or legal advice. Rules change, so confirm with the state. Report an error.
Concierge
Rather not do this part yourself?
Tell us the car you want. A person finds it, checks it, negotiates the out-the-door price in writing, and lines up the paperwork. You approve every step.