Fees & Sales Tax
Until this fall, dependent on staffing, DMV branches will have rotating closures. View a schedule of all closures.
Whether purchasing a new vehicle, transferring the ownership of a vehicle, inheriting a vehicle, or moving to Denver for the first time, you are responsible for payment of ownership tax and state licensing fees, each year at the time of vehicle registration throughout the life of the vehicle. For more information visit one of our Denver DMV branch offices (Denver residents only).
The Denver DMV accepts cash, personal checks and all major credit cards.
Please note: Beginning January 21, 2021, the following credit/debit card and e-check transaction fees were reinstated:
- Credit/Debit card fee: 2.25% plus $0.75
- E-check fee: $1.00
Transaction fees apply to all credit card and e-check payments made online and in-person. Transaction fees are non-refundable. No fees are applied to cash or mail-in check payments. The transaction fee changes were necessary due to City budget reductions caused by the economic impacts of COVID-19.
Example Tax Calculations
Sales taxes are due one time after a new or used car purchase at the time you title your vehicle. You must also pay ownership taxes each year after the purchase of a vehicle.
EXAMPLE #1: Sales tax to be paid in 2019 on the purchase of a 1998 passenger vehicle with a sales price of $17,000 and a $2,000 trade-in allowance.
$17,000 - $2,000 = $15,000 x 8.81% = $1321.50
Sales tax is calculated on the net purchase price (which is the total purchase price less the amount allowed by a dealer for any trade-in). The rate of tax for Denver County residents is as follows:
| Sales Tax |
Rate |
| Colorado State Tax |
2.90% |
RTD Tax
|
1.10% |
| Denver City Tax |
4.81% |
| Total Sales Tax |
8.81% |
The State of Colorado Department of Motor Vehicles also offers a fee estimator on their website.
View Fee Estimator (under Vehicle Services)
We cannot quote exact fees online or over the phone
Denver County Motor Vehicle cannot quote fees online or over the phone. Fees are based on the vehicle's age, weight, taxable value, and month of registration. To find out the exact amount of your taxes and fees, visit any of Denver's DMV branch offices (Denver residents only) and bring the necessary registration documents.