EXPLANATION OF FEES
It is not possible to quote exact fees for a particular registration without the necessary paperwork since there are too many variables which affect those fees.
What Is The Town Fee?
The Town permit fee for registration is based on the vehicle model year, the original factory list price of the vehicle, and the expiration date. For a new registration, the model year determines which tax rate ($18, 15, 12, 9, 6, or 3 dollars per $1,000 of original list price) is used to compute the Town permit fee. For example, a 2014 model year is charged $18 per thousand; a 2013 model year is charged $15 per thousand, etc. The number of months for which a new vehicle will be registered is determined by either the vehicle owner's month of birth or an assigned month if the owner is a business or lease company. Generally, a new vehicle cannot be registered for less than five months or more than sixteen months. The authority to charge this fee is stated in (RSA 261:153) Fees for Registration Permits
What Is The State Fee?
Effective July 1, 2011, the State fee portion of vehicle registrations changed. For questions or concerns please call DMV at 227-4030.
Motor Vehicle: The following lists the new State fees for all motor vehicles other than those in RSA 261:141. These represent the State portion only and do not include the Town fees that also must be paid for a registration.
- 0-3,000 lbs. $31.20 ( $2.60 p/month)
- 3,001-5,000 lbs. $43.20 ($3.60 p/month)
- 5,001-8,000 lbs. $55.20 (4.60 p/month)
- 8,001-73,280 lbs. $.96 p/hundred lbs. gross weight
Trailer Fees: The following lists the new State fees for trailers. These represent the State portion only and do not include Town fees that also must be paid for a registration.
Trailer Gross Weight New Annual Fee
- 0 to 1,000 lbs. $ 3.00
- 1,001 to 1,500 lbs. $ 6.00
- 1,501 to 3,000 lbs. $12.00
- 3,001 to 5,000 lbs. $24.00
- 5,001 to 8,000 lbs. $36.00
- 8,001 lbs. or more 60 cents per each 100 lbs or fraction thereof
Other State Fees That Were Changed:
Type of Fee New Annual Fee
- Certified Copy of a Registration $15.00
- Vanity Plates $40.00
- Motorcycles $15.00
- Transfer Fee $10.00
You can visit the State of New Hampshire website for more information on plates.
Is The Permit Fee The Only Fee?
No. In addition to the Permit Fee, there are several fees authorized by State Statute with the approval of the Select Board. Those fees are:
- Town Clerk (Clerk):This fee covers the general administrative costs of preparing an auto registration permit. The fee is $2.00, charged for every vehicle registration. Authorized by State law (RSA 261:152.) Preparation of Documents.
- Title Application (Local Title): This fee covers the general administrative costs of “preparation, examination, record-keeping and filing” of a title application. The fee is $2.00 and is charged upon the initial registration of a vehicle requiring a title. Authorized by State law (RSA 261:4 IV) Application for Certificate.
- Municipal Agent (Agent): This fee covers the administrative costs of completing a registration for State Motor Vehicles. A “Municipal Agent” is a municipality that has been authorized by the Department of Safety to perform certain functions on its behalf. The Town of Exeter is authorized to issue decals for renewal of vehicles and to complete transfers (i.e. a plate is transferred from an existing vehicle to a new purchase). The fee is $3.00 and is charged on all registrations which are completed at the Exeter Town Clerks Office and stamped with the Department of Safety seal, thus eliminating an additional stop at State Motor Vehicles. The authority to charge this fee is stated in (RSA 261:74-d) Additional Fees Charged by Agents.
- Transportation Fee (Transportation): A $4.00 fee per vehicle is charged and the money is set-aside in a municipal transportation improvement fund, which is used exclusively for improvement to the local and regional transportation system. This system includes “roads, bridges, bicycle and pedestrian facilities, parking and inter modal facilities and public transportation.” The Select Board adopted this fee on March 11, 2008, in accordance with (RSA 261:153 VI.) Fees for Registration Permits.
