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WA Washington · Updated for 2026

Washington State DOL Fee Calculator

Estimate your Washington state vehicle registration, RTA tax, and title fees. Updated 2026 WA DOL rates — $43 base + RTA (if applicable) + 6.5% sales tax.

Base Registration
$43
Annual passenger
RTA Tax
Value-based
King/Pierce/Snohomish
Sales Tax
6.5%
State (up to 10.4%)
Title Fee
$15
WA DOL
Vehicle Information

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Estimated Total — Washington DMV
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For your vehicle
Estimate only. Final amounts may vary. Visit your state DMV for exact figures.
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The Complete Guide

How Washington DMV Fees Are Calculated in 2026

Washington State vehicle registration involves a $43 base fee plus one potential gotcha: if you live in King, Pierce, or Snohomish counties, you also pay the RTA (Regional Transit Authority) tax — a value-based annual charge that can add hundreds of dollars to your bill.

Base registration fee — $43

Washington's base annual registration is $43 for passenger vehicles. Plus a $15 license service fee. Motorcycles are $30.

RTA Tax — the big variable

The RTA tax is an annual value-based fee charged only in King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties (greater Seattle metro area). It's calculated at 1.1% of the vehicle's depreciated value. On a new $40,000 vehicle, that's $440 extra per year. On a 5-year-old $25,000 vehicle, roughly $165.

Moving to Seattle? Budget for RTA. The RTA tax is one of the most common surprises for new Seattle-area residents. A $45,000 SUV in year one can cost $750+ just in RTA alone.

EV surcharge — $150/year

Washington charges $150 extra annually for electric vehicles. Washington also offers a sales tax exemption on EVs under $45,000 (check current eligibility as this has changed over time).

Title fee — $15

WA DOL charges $15 for a certificate of title.

Sales tax — varies widely

State sales tax is 6.5%, but Seattle (King County) reaches 10.25% with city and transit additions. Spokane is around 8.9%. Rural counties can be close to the base 6.5%.

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Frequently Asked

Washington DMV fee questions

The RTA (Regional Transit Authority) tax is an annual value-based fee for vehicles registered in King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties. It's 1.1% of the vehicle's depreciated value. A new $35,000 vehicle pays about $385/year in RTA alone.
$43 base annual fee + $15 service fee = $58 before RTA. King/Pierce/Snohomish county residents also pay RTA tax (value-based), which can be $100–$500+ annually for newer vehicles.
Base state rate is 6.5%. King County (Seattle) reaches 10.25%. Pierce (Tacoma) and Snohomish are around 10.2%. Spokane is 8.9%. Rural eastern WA counties can be close to 6.5%.
Yes — $150/year in addition to standard registration. Washington also had an EV sales tax exemption (check current status at dol.wa.gov as rules change).
Washington State charges $15 for a certificate of title.
Washington does not require annual safety or emissions inspections for passenger vehicles. Emissions testing was phased out in 2020.
Yes — online renewal is available at dol.wa.gov. You'll need your renewal notice and valid insurance.