Question

How much is registration for a car in Arizona? 

The cost of registration for a car in Arizona is not a flat fee, as it depends on several factors, and most importantly, the Vehicle License Tax (VLT).  

Before knowing the cost of registering your car in Arizona, you need to understand how to calculate the fees for the whole process and what factors you need to consider. 

How are the AZ vehicle registration fees calculated? 

Arizona car registration costs usually include a VLT based on the car’s age and value, a base registration fee, and other potential fees like title, air quality, and emissions. Since the total fee depends on these factors, the cost varies for each vehicle. For instance, a new car’s VLT is calculated at a rate different from the one used. And certain vehicles need additional fees, like those for emission testing. 

The state of Arizona imposes taxes for vehicle titling and registration, as well as a separate vehicle license tax on all automobiles registered in Arizona. Arizona car registration fees will include the following:   

• Registration fee – $8  
• Title fee – $4  
• Air Quality Research fee – $1.50  
• 3-day permit – $1  
• 90-day temporary registration fee – $15  
• License plate fee – $5  
• Public safety fee – $32 

In summary, your total annual registration fee can be estimated as: 

Total fee = VLT + Registration fee + Air quality fee + (emissions fee, if applicable)