How North Dakota taxes car purchases
- State vehicle tax rate
- 5%
- Trade-in lowers the tax
- Yes
- Tax cap
- None
- Source
- Official source, checked 2026-10-05
These are the rules for a new car bought from a dealer. Used-car and private-sale rules can differ. How we check this data.
North Dakota charges 5% at the state level. Motor vehicle excise tax. That rate is higher than 16 states and lower than 29 states. County and city taxes may add to it, so check your local rate and enter the total in the calculator.
What to know in North Dakota
North Dakota charges a 5% motor vehicle excise tax on vehicle purchases in place of the regular sales tax.
The value of your trade-in is deducted before the tax is figured, so trading in at the dealer lowers it. If you're comparing the dealer's trade-in offer with a private sale, count the 5% tax saving on the trade-in's value as part of the dealer's offer.
Does North Dakota tax your trade-in?
No. North Dakota only taxes the difference between the new car's price and your trade-in. On a $35,000 car with a $10,000 trade-in, you'd pay $1,250.00 in state tax instead of $1,750.00, a saving of $500.00. That saving is worth counting when you compare a dealer's trade-in offer with selling the car yourself.
Example: a car loan in North Dakota
A $35,000 car with $5,000 down, $1,500 in fees, and a 60-month loan at 6.5% APR ($1,750.00 state tax, rolled into the loan):
- Monthly payment: $650.57
- Amount financed: $33,250
- Total interest: $5,784
- Total cost of the car: $44,034
Change any number in the calculator above to see your own figures.
Rebates and fees
The calculator charges tax on the price before any manufacturer rebate. Ask the dealer how North Dakota treats your specific rebate. Title, registration and dealer documentation fees vary, so ask for an itemized out-the-door price and put the fee total in the calculator.
Other states
States with similar vehicle tax rates:
- Iowa 5%
- Louisiana 5%
- Mississippi 5%
- South Carolina 5%
- Wisconsin 5%