Vermont Title Transfer Cost
Transferring a car title in Vermont costs $42 in title fees. Buying a used car privately for $15,000, you'd pay about $1,033 in total, with $900 of that in tax and the rest for title and registration.
Vermont title fees
These are the title-related fees in Vermont's official schedule (source). Most buyers pay only the standard title fee, plus a lien fee if the car is financed.
| Title | $42 |
|---|---|
| Lien | $14 |
| Vanity plate per year | $58 |
Example: buying a used car from a private seller in Vermont
A 4-year-old car bought from a private seller for $15,000, worked out with the Vermont car tax calculator:
| Title | $42 |
|---|---|
| Tax on the sale | $900 |
| Registration (1 year) (if you register it now) | $91 |
| Estimated total | $1,033 |
Local taxes, county fees and inspections aren't included. Run your own numbers in the calculator.
Deadline and late fees
Vermont charges a penalty if the title isn't transferred on time. Late penalties: vanity plate per year $58.
Transferring a title to a family member or as a gift
| Gift (VT-014) | Tax $0; title and new registration still due (plates stay with donor) |
|---|---|
| Already titled to you/spouse out of state | 6% of J.D. Power clean trade-in |
Inherited vehicles
| Inheritance (VT-014) | Tax $0 (confirm with DMV) |
|---|
Other cases that change the cost in Vermont
| Vehicle with altered controls or lifting device (VT-014) | Tax $0 |
|---|---|
| Tax paid to another state | Exempt only with qualifying VT-014; another state's collected tax is not remitted to Vermont |
| Lease buyout | Tax on residual / lease-end value |
| Short-term rental | 9%, no cap |
| EVs | Not exempt |
| Nominal ($1) sale | Taxed on greater of price or book value |
How Vermont works out what you owe
- Taxable = max(price + doc fee, J.D. Power clean trade-in) - trade-in
- Tax = taxable x 6% (capped at $2,486 for heavy trucks / other classes)
- Total = tax + title + lien + warranty fee + registration + vanity plate
What to bring
The title signed over by the seller (with the odometer reading), a bill of sale, proof of insurance and your ID. If the car still has a loan, the lender must release the lien first.
Official sources checked for Vermont: dmv.vermont.gov.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to transfer a car title in Vermont?
The title fee is $42. For a used car bought privately for $15,000, the title, tax and registration come to about $1,033.
Do I pay sales tax when a title is transferred in Vermont?
Usually yes. On a $15,000 private sale, Vermont charges about $900. Gifts, family transfers and inheritances can be treated differently (see below).
Is there a late fee for transferring a title in Vermont?
Yes. Vanity plate per year: $58.
How do I transfer a car title to a family member in Vermont?
Gift (VT-014): Tax $0; title and new registration still due (plates stay with donor). Already titled to you/spouse out of state: 6% of J.D. Power clean trade-in.
What happens to a car title after a death in Vermont?
Inheritance (VT-014): Tax $0 (confirm with DMV).