How Much Does It Cost To Register a Car in Tennessee in 2025
Vehicle registration in Tennessee involves multiple fee components that vary by vehicle type, location, and specific circumstances. Tennessee charges state registration fees, local wheel taxes (where applicable), title fees, and various processing charges.
Base Registration Fees
Tennessee's base state registration fees are established by vehicle classification under Tennessee Code § 55-4-111:
| Vehicle Type | State Registration Fee |
|---|---|
| Passenger vehicles and motor homes (Class B) | $23.75 |
| Motorcycles and autocycles (Class A) | $16.75 |
| Antique vehicles (Class C) | $30.00 |
| Privately owned trailers (under 8' width, under 20' length) | $14.50 |
| Mobile homes/house trailers (under 8' width) | $24.00 |
| Mobile homes/house trailers (over 8' width) | $36.00 |
| Private buses (not for hire) | $205.00 |
| Low speed vehicles | $14.50 |
| Medium speed vehicles | $14.50 |
| Class I off-highway vehicles | $15.00 |
| Class II off-highway vehicles | $16.00 |
Note: Under current Tennessee law, state registration fees for Class A (motorcycles) and Class B (passenger vehicles) are subject to periodic waivers. Check with your county clerk for current fee status.
Special Vehicle Categories
Electric and Hybrid Vehicles: Tennessee imposes additional registration fees on environmentally efficient vehicles under Tennessee Code § 55-6-107:
| Vehicle Type | Additional Fee (2024-2026) | Additional Fee (2027+) |
|---|---|---|
| All-electric vehicles | $200 | $274 (adjusted for inflation) |
| Hybrid/plug-in hybrid vehicles | $100 | $100 (adjusted for inflation) |
Commercial Vehicles: Commercial vehicle registration fees vary significantly based on weight classification and intended use. Contact your local county clerk for specific commercial vehicle fee schedules.
Local County Fees (Wheel Tax)
Tennessee counties may impose local vehicle regulatory fees, commonly called "wheel tax." These fees vary substantially by county, with 57 of Tennessee's 95 counties charging wheel tax as of 2025:
Counties Charging $25.00 or Less
| County | Wheel Tax |
|---|---|
| Pickett | $10.00 |
| Smith | $15.00 |
| Claiborne | $25.00 |
| Fentress | $25.00 |
| Lawrence | $25.00 |
| Maury | $25.00 |
| Wilson | $25.00 |
| Williamson | $25.75 |
Counties Charging $26.00-$50.00
| County | Wheel Tax |
|---|---|
| Scott | $30.00 |
| Union | $30.00 |
| Warren | $30.00 |
| Overton | $30.50 |
| Stewart | $35.00 |
| Knox | $36.00 |
| Henderson | $40.00 |
| Johnson | $40.00 |
| Trousdale | $40.00 |
| Weakley | $40.00 |
| Hancock | $41.00 |
| White | $42.00 |
| Campbell | $45.00 |
| Carroll | $45.00 |
| Hardin | $47.00 |
| Obion | $47.00 |
| Decatur | $50.00 |
| Hamblen | $50.00 |
| Hickman | $50.50 |
| Jefferson | $50.00 |
| Marshall | $50.00 |
| Monroe | $50.00 |
| Cannon | $50.25 |
| Gibson | $50.75 |
Counties Charging $51.00-$75.00
| County | Wheel Tax |
|---|---|
| Cheatham | $51.00 |
| Sumner | $51.00 |
| Rutherford | $52.50 |
| Davidson | $55.00 |
| Greene | $55.00 |
| Dickson | $60.00 |
| Tipton | $61.00 |
| Wayne | $61.00 |
| Chester | $65.35 |
| Lauderdale | $65.00 |
| Lewis | $65.00 |
| Macon | $65.00 |
| Hawkins | $67.00 |
| Fayette | $71.00 |
| Houston | $71.00 |
| Crockett | $73.50 |
| Montgomery | $74.00 |
| Shelby | $75.00 |
| Clay | $75.00 |
| Lincoln | $75.00 |
Counties Charging $76.00 and Above
| County | Wheel Tax |
|---|---|
| Hardeman | $80.00 |
| Robertson | $85.25 |
| Dyer | $90.15 |
| Haywood | $90.00 |
| Lake | $100.00 |
The remaining Tennessee counties do not charge local registration fees: Anderson, Bedford, Benton, Bledsoe, Blount, Bradley, Carter, Cocke, Coffee, Cumberland, Franklin, Giles, Grainger, Grundy, Hamilton, Humphreys, Loudon, Madison, Marion, McMinn, McNairy, Meigs, Morgan, Moore, Perry, Polk, Putnam, Rhea, Roane, Sequatchie, Sevier, Sullivan, Unicoi, Van Buren, and Washington.
Processing and Administrative Fees
Tennessee charges several mandatory processing fees for vehicle registration transactions:
Title Fees
- New vehicle title: $5.50 (state fee) + county clerk processing fee
- Title transfer: $5.50 (state fee) + county clerk processing fee
- Duplicate title: $5.50
Lien Processing Fees
- Noting new lien: $11.00 per lien
- Lien transfer: $11.00 per lien
- Lien extension: $11.00 per lien
County Clerk Fees
County clerks charge additional processing fees that vary by location:
| Service | Typical Fee Range |
|---|---|
| License plate issuance | $26.50-$29.00 |
| Processing/handling fee | $2.00-$7.00 |
| Mail service (renewals) | $2.00-$3.00 |
| Mail service (new plates) | $5.00-$7.00 |
Regional Variations
Metropolitan Areas with Additional Fees
Davidson County (Nashville): Includes $55.00 Metro Vehicle Regulatory Fee (wheel tax) for all passenger vehicles.
Shelby County: Municipal fees vary by city:
- Memphis: $30.00 city fee + $50.00 wheel tax
- Germantown: $35.00 city fee + $50.00 wheel tax
- Collierville: $35.00 city fee + $50.00 wheel tax
- Bartlett: $25.00 city fee + $50.00 wheel tax
- Millington: $30.00 city fee + $50.00 wheel tax
- Unincorporated Shelby County: $50.00 wheel tax only
Knox County: $36.00 wheel tax applies to all motorized vehicles and cycles (trailers exempt).
