Title and Registration Fees

Below are the standard fees to transfer a vehicle into your name:

• Title Fee = $25.00
• Lien Fee = $10.00
• Fee for new registration = 5% of the vehicle purchase price or lease tax price.     
  • A bill of sale is required for all vehicle/trailer transfers, including gifts.
• Iowa Registration = Variable.
  • In Iowa, registration rates are based on weight, list price, and year of the vehicle.  However, vehicles that are 12 years or older are generally a flat rate of $50/year (with a few exceptions). 

Title and Registration Penalties apply if you do not title and register your vehicle within 30 days from the date of sale.   The title penalty is $10.  The registration penalty is 5% of the registration and will continue to accrue every month until the vehicle is registered.

You can use the Iowa DOT's Registration Fee Calculator to verify the annual registration fee or estimate title transfer fees.  Instructions on accessing the calculators are below.

 IOWA DOT VEHICLE REGISTRATION & PLATES

From Iowa DOT Drivers & Vehicles | Vehicle Owners | Commercial Drivers page, scroll down and click on Calculate Registration Fees (under the "Frequently Searched" Header) to access the different calculators.