How Much Does It Cost To Register a Car in Alaska From Out of State
Registering an out-of-state vehicle in Alaska requires compliance with state regulations administered by the Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles. New Alaska residents must register their vehicles within 10 days of establishing residency or taking employment in the state. Non-residents may operate a vehicle with current out-of-state registration for up to 60 days.
Base Registration and Title Fees
The total cost to register an out-of-state vehicle in Alaska consists of state registration fees, title application fees, lien recording fees (if applicable), and municipal Motor Vehicle Registration Tax (MVRT). The Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles establishes standardized fee schedules, while municipalities and boroughs collect MVRT as a personal property tax.
Standard State Fees
Registration Fees by Vehicle Type (Biennial Period):
| Vehicle Category | Registration Period | Registration Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Passenger vehicles, motor homes, pickups, cargo vans (Non-Commercial) | 24 months | $100.00 |
| Motorcycles (Non-Commercial) | 24 months | $60.00 |
| Trailers (Non-Commercial) | 24 months | $30.00 |
| Farm vehicles | 24 months | $68.00 |
| Taxicabs | 24 months | $160.00 |
| Tour buses | 24 months | $300.00 |
| Off-highway vehicles (1, 2, or 3 seasons) | Per season | $10.00 per season |
Commercial Vehicle Registration Fees (Biennial Period):
| Vehicle Weight Classification | Registration Period | Registration Fee |
|---|---|---|
| 0 to 5,000 pounds | 24 months | $180.00 |
| 5,001 to 12,000 pounds | 24 months | $268.00 |
| 12,001 to 18,000 pounds | 24 months | $516.00 |
| 18,001 pounds and over | 24 months | $662.00 |
| Commercial trailers (one-time registration) | One-time | $20.00 |
Annual Commercial Registration (12-Month Period):
| Vehicle Weight Classification | Registration Period | Registration Fee | Additional In-Person Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 to 5,000 pounds | 12 months | $90.00 | $30.00 |
| 5,001 to 12,000 pounds | 12 months | $134.00 | $30.00 |
| 12,001 to 18,000 pounds | 12 months | $258.00 | $30.00 |
| 18,001 pounds and over | 12 months | $331.00 | $30.00 |
Title and Lien Fees:
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Title issuance | $15.00 |
| Lien recording on title | $15.00 |
| Title issuance (manufactured homes) | $100.00 |
| Specialty plate transfer | $5.00 |
| Duplicate paper registration | $2.00 |
| Duplicate plate and/or tab | $5.00 |
| DMV in-person renewal (walk-in fee) | $10.00 |
Local Municipal Fees
Alaska municipalities and boroughs collect Motor Vehicle Registration Tax (MVRT) as a personal property tax based on vehicle type, age, and weight. Not all Alaska locations collect MVRT. The 2025 MVRT Tax Chart provides detailed rates for each taxable location.
Taxable Locations in Alaska:
- Municipality of Anchorage
- Matanuska-Susitna Borough (Wasilla, Palmer, Talkeetna areas)
- Fairbanks North Star Borough
- City and Borough of Juneau
- Kenai Peninsula Borough (Homer, Soldotna, Seward areas)
- Kodiak Island Borough
- Ketchikan Gateway Borough
- City and Borough of Sitka
- Bristol Bay Borough
- City of Bethel
- City of Dillingham
- City of Unalaska/Dutch Harbor
MVRT Sample Rates for 2025 Model Year Passenger Vehicles (24-Month Registration):
| Location | 2026 Model | 2025 Model | 2024 Model | 2023 Model | 2020 Model | 2018 & Older |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anchorage / Mat-Su Borough | $150 | $150 | $140 | $130 | $110 | $70 |
| Fairbanks North Star Borough | $150 | $145 | $135 | $125 | $105 | $70 |
| City and Borough of Juneau | $145 | $145 | $119 | $92 | $47 | $19 |
| Kenai Peninsula Borough | $150 | $145 | $135 | $125 | $105 | $70 |
| Ketchikan Gateway Borough | $152 | $152 | $126 | $102 | $50 | $26 |
| Kodiak Island Borough | $150 | $145 | $119 | $92 | $47 | $19 |
Vehicles 8 years old or older receive significantly reduced MVRT rates. Areas not listed in the tax chart do not collect MVRT.
New Resident Fee and Use Tax
Alaska does not impose a statewide sales tax on vehicle purchases. This distinguishes Alaska from most other states and provides significant savings for vehicle buyers. However, some municipalities may assess local sales taxes on vehicle purchases within their jurisdictions.
New Resident Tax Assessment
No State Sales Tax: Alaska is one of five states with no statewide sales tax. Vehicle purchasers do not pay state sales tax when buying or registering vehicles in Alaska, regardless of whether the vehicle was purchased in-state or brought from another state.
Motor Vehicle Registration Tax (MVRT): The MVRT serves as Alaska's primary vehicle-related tax. This biennial property tax is collected at the time of registration based on the vehicle's type, age, and weight. MVRT rates vary significantly by location, as shown in the tables above. Newer vehicles incur higher MVRT, while vehicles 8 years old or older qualify for substantially reduced rates.
Motor Vehicle Sales and Use Tax
Credit for Out-of-State Purchases: Vehicle owners who paid sales tax in another state prior to establishing Alaska residency do not receive credits or refunds from Alaska, as Alaska does not collect vehicle sales tax. However, if you purchased a vehicle in another state specifically to avoid that state's sales tax and bring it to Alaska, you may remain subject to use tax in the state of purchase.
Gift Transfers: Vehicles received as gifts are subject to standard Alaska registration fees and applicable MVRT but are not subject to sales tax since Alaska does not impose sales tax on vehicles. Standard title transfer procedures apply for gift transfers.
Depreciation Schedule for MVRT: The MVRT decreases as vehicles age. According to the MVRT calculation methodology, a vehicle is considered 1 year old during its model year and becomes a year older on January 1st each following year. Vehicles reach the lowest MVRT category at 8 years of age or older.
Permanent Registration Option: Vehicles at least 8 years old and non-commercial trailers of any age may qualify for permanent registration in eligible Alaska locations. Permanent registration requires payment of:
- Standard biennial registration fee
- Applicable MVRT for the registration period
- Additional permanent registration fee: $25.00
Permanent registration eliminates the need for renewal and displays a special "Z tab" on the license plate. Permanent registration expires when ownership transfers to a new owner. View eligible permanent registration areas on the Alaska DMV website.
Government Agencies and Contact Information
Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles - Headquarters
4001 Ingra Street, Suite 101, Anchorage, AK 99503
Phone: (907) 269-5551
Official Website: Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles
The Division of Motor Vehicles establishes statewide registration fee schedules, administers the vehicle title system, and provides regulatory oversight for all vehicle registration transactions in Alaska. DMV offices process title transfers, vehicle registrations, and driver licensing services.
Alaska Department of Administration
550 West 7th Avenue, Suite 1770, Anchorage, AK 99501
Official Website: Alaska Department of Administration
The Department of Administration oversees the Division of Motor Vehicles and establishes administrative policies governing vehicle registration and titling procedures.
State DMV Office Locations
The Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles operates offices throughout the state. Walk-in services are available at all state DMV locations during business hours. In-person transactions may incur an additional $10.00 walk-in fee.
Alaska DMV - Anchorage Main Office
4001 Ingra Street, Suite 101, Anchorage, AK 99503
Phone: (907) 269-5551
Official Website: Anchorage DMV Office
Alaska DMV - Fairbanks Office
675 7th Avenue, Station L, Fairbanks, AK 99701
Phone: (907) 269-5551
Official Website: Fairbanks DMV Office
Alaska DMV - Juneau Office
10002 Glacier Highway, Suite 100, Juneau, AK 99801
Phone: (907) 269-5551
Official Website: Juneau DMV Office
Alaska DMV - Kenai Office
145 Main Street Loop, Suite 105, Kenai, AK 99611
Phone: (907) 269-5551
Official Website: Kenai DMV Office
Alaska DMV - Ketchikan Office
415 Main Street, Suite 103, Ketchikan, AK 99901
Phone: (907) 269-5551
Official Website: Ketchikan DMV Office
Alaska DMV - Kodiak Office
204 Center Avenue, Room 101, Kodiak, AK 99615
Phone: (907) 269-5551
Official Website: Kodiak DMV Office
Alaska DMV - Palmer Office
515 East Dahlia Avenue, Suite 230, Palmer, AK 99645
Phone: (907) 269-5551
Official Website: Palmer DMV Office
Alaska DMV - Sitka Office
901 Halibut Point Road, Suite A, Sitka, AK 99835
Phone: (907) 269-5551
Official Website: Sitka DMV Office
Alaska DMV - Soldotna Office
300 State Highway (Chief Eddie Hoffman Highway), City Hall Building, Soldotna, AK 99669
Phone: (907) 269-5551
Official Website: Soldotna DMV Office
Alaska DMV - Wasilla Office
951 East Westpoint Avenue, Suite 101, Wasilla, AK 99654
Phone: (907) 269-5551
Official Website: Wasilla DMV Office
