State guide · Updated 2026-08-05
Utah Vehicle Registration Rules, Taxes, and How to Register Out of State
Utah charges 4.85% + local tax on vehicle purchases. Yes. Use tax applies at titling with credit for taxes paid elsewhere.
Montana LLC verdict for Utah residents: Do not do it. Utah wrote a statute specifically targeting resident use of out-of-state LLC registrations and audits them.
What does it cost to register a vehicle in Utah?
Title work in Utah costs $6. Registration fees are listed below; government fees change with legislative sessions, so we confirm exact amounts on every order before you pay.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Sales / use tax | Utah charges 4.85% state sales tax plus local rates, with most vehicle totals between 6.5% and 7.5%, and an age-based uniform fee at registration. |
| Title fee | $6 |
| Passenger car (annual) | $44 + age-based uniform fee ($10-$150) |
| Motorcycle (annual) | $46 (TODO: verify) |
What inspections does Utah require?
Emissions testing in Salt Lake, Davis, Utah, Weber, and Cache counties. Safety inspection dropped for passenger cars in 2018.
How do temporary tags work in Utah?
15-day temporary permits about $6 from the DMV.
Vehicle-specific rules in Utah
Dirt bikes and off-road conversions
Utah has a genuine street-legal OHV statute: dirt bikes and UTVs can be made street legal with an equipment checklist, no inspection lane outside emissions counties. One of the best conversion states.
Want it handled? See our dirt bike street legal service.
RVs and motorhomes
Age-based uniform fees keep annual costs flat and predictable.
Full details on our RV and trailer registration service.
Salvage and rebuilt vehicles
Rebuilt salvage requires a certified inspection before the branded retitle.
We run this process end to end: salvage and rebuilt titling.
Imported vehicles
CBP release plus VIN inspection for first title.
Importing? Start with imported vehicle titling.
Registering out of state as a Utah resident
Do not do it. Utah wrote a statute specifically targeting resident use of out-of-state LLC registrations and audits them. If your situation is genuinely multi-state (a second home, a vehicle that lives elsewhere, full-time RV life), there are legal structures for that, and we set them up with the paperwork done right. Read the honest Montana LLC guide or the side-by-side math before deciding.
Utah registration questions
How much is vehicle sales tax in Utah?
Utah charges 4.85% state sales tax plus local rates, with most vehicle totals between 6.5% and 7.5%, and an age-based uniform fee at registration.
Does Utah charge tax on a vehicle bought out of state?
Yes. Use tax applies at titling with credit for taxes paid elsewhere.
Is a Montana LLC registration worth it for a Utah resident?
Do not do it. Utah wrote a statute specifically targeting resident use of out-of-state LLC registrations and audits them. Utah law treats vehicles owned by out-of-state entities but primarily used in Utah by residents as taxable; the Tax Commission pursues these cases.
Can I make a dirt bike street legal in Utah?
Utah has a genuine street-legal OHV statute: dirt bikes and UTVs can be made street legal with an equipment checklist, no inspection lane outside emissions counties. One of the best conversion states.
What inspections does Utah require to register a vehicle?
Emissions testing in Salt Lake, Davis, Utah, Weber, and Cache counties. Safety inspection dropped for passenger cars in 2018.
Figures reflect published state fee schedules as of 2026-08-05. Items marked "TODO: verify" are being confirmed against current statute and are excluded from quotes until confirmed. Roadworthy provides private administrative and paperwork assistance. We are not a government agency or a law firm and do not provide legal or tax advice.