Rhode Island Car Registration Fee Calculator

What Is the Rhode Island Car Registration Fee Calculator?

The Rhode Island DMV Fee Calculator is an online tool designed to estimate:

• One-time fees at the time of purchase (sales tax, title, plate, lien).
• Biennial registration fees based on your vehicle’s weight (Rhode Island uses a two-year registration system).
• Grand total for your first two years of ownership.

Instead of searching through DMV fee tables, you can simply enter your vehicle price, select the weight category, and check any optional fees. The calculator instantly shows a breakdown with all costs included.

How the Calculator Works

The calculator uses three key inputs:

1. Vehicle Purchase Price

• Rhode Island charges 7% sales tax on the purchase price of a vehicle.
• Example: If you buy a car for $28,000, sales tax is $1,960.

2. Vehicle Weight

Registration fees in Rhode Island depend on the car’s weight:

• Passenger car up to 4,000 lbs: $66.00
• Passenger car / SUV (4,001–5,000 lbs): $78.00
• Large SUV / Truck (5,001–6,000 lbs): $90.00
• Heavy Truck (6,001–7,000 lbs): $105.00

These are biennial fees, meaning they cover two years.

3. Optional One-Time Fees

You may also need to pay:

• Certificate of Title Fee: $52.50
• New License Plate Fee: $31.50
• Lien Recording Fee: $52.50

You can check or uncheck these depending on your situation.

Example Calculation

Let’s say you purchase a 2023 SUV for $32,000 that weighs 4,800 lbs. You also need a title and plates.

• Sales Tax (7%): $2,240.00
• Title Fee: $52.50
• Plate Fee: $31.50
• Lien Fee: $0.00 (not financed in this example)
• Registration Fee (4,001–5,000 lbs): $78.00

Grand Total (first 2 years): $2,402.00

Without the calculator, you’d need to look up each fee separately. With the calculator, the breakdown is automatic and easy to read.

Why Use the Calculator?

• Accuracy: Quickly get an estimate tailored to your car.
• Clarity: See how much is tax, registration, and optional fees.
• Planning: Helps budget for the true cost of ownership in Rhode Island.
• Convenience: No need to call the DMV or sift through fee tables.

Tips for Using the Rhode Island DMV Fee Calculator

1. Enter the purchase price correctly – sales tax is calculated directly from it.
2. Select the right weight class – check your car’s registration or specs if unsure.
3. Include optional fees only if they apply (new plates, lien, or title).
4. Remember renewal costs – after two years, you’ll only pay the biennial registration fee again, not the one-time taxes and extras.