How Much Does It Cost To Register a Car in Alaska in 2025

Vehicle registration costs in Alaska consist of state registration fees, municipal vehicle registration taxes (MVRT), and various processing fees. The total cost depends on vehicle type, weight, age, and location within the state.

Base Registration Fees

Alaska vehicle registration fees are established under Alaska Statute 28.10.421 and are charged on a biennial (two-year) basis for most vehicles.

Standard Vehicle Registration Fees (Biennial)

Commercial Vehicle Weight-Based Fees

Commercial vehicle registration fees are based on unladen weight and can be registered biennially or annually:

Biennial Commercial Registration (24 months)

Annual Commercial Registration (12 months)

Special Vehicle Categories

Local Municipal Fees and Registration Taxes

Alaska collects Motor Vehicle Registration Tax (MVRT) for participating municipalities and boroughs. This tax is based on vehicle type, age, and location as detailed in the 2025 MVRT by location chart.

Municipalities and Boroughs with MVRT

The following jurisdictions charge municipal vehicle registration taxes:

Municipality of Anchorage/Mat-Su Borough

• Coverage: Anchorage, Eagle River, Chugiak, Girdwood, JBER, Palmer, Wasilla, Big Lake, Houston, Talkeetna, and other Mat-Su communities
• Tax Range: $19-$150 for passenger vehicles (varies by vehicle age)

City and Borough of Juneau

• Coverage: Juneau, Auke Bay, Douglas
• Tax Range: $19-$151 for passenger vehicles (varies by vehicle age)

Kenai Peninsula Borough

• Coverage: Homer, Seward, Soldotna, Sterling, Anchor Point, Cooper Landing, Moose Pass, Seldovia, and other peninsula communities
• Tax Range: $10-$145 for passenger vehicles (varies by vehicle age)

Kodiak Island Borough

• Coverage: Kodiak, Akhiok, Chiniak, Larsen Bay, Port Lions, Karluk, Old Harbor, Ouzinkie
• Tax Range: $10-$145 for passenger vehicles (varies by vehicle age)

City of Bethel

• Tax Range: $19-$151 for passenger vehicles (varies by vehicle age)

Bristol Bay Borough

• Coverage: King Salmon, Naknek, South Naknek
• Tax Range: $19-$151 for passenger vehicles (varies by vehicle age)

City of Ketchikan

• Coverage: Ketchikan, Loring, Saxman, Ward Cove
• Tax Range: $18-$152 for passenger vehicles (varies by vehicle age)

City of Unalaska

• Coverage: Unalaska, Dutch Harbor
• Tax Range: $19-$221 for passenger vehicles (varies by vehicle age)

Other Taxable Locations

• Cordova: $22 flat rate for all vehicle types and ages
• Nome: $22 flat rate for all vehicle types and ages
• Petersburg: $22 flat rate for all vehicle types and ages
• Sitka: $22 flat rate for all vehicle types and ages
• Whittier: $22 flat rate for all vehicle types and ages
• Haines: $16-$22 for passenger vehicles (varies by vehicle age)
• Nenana: $22 flat rate for all vehicle types and ages
• Dillingham: $22 flat rate for all vehicle types and ages

The remaining Alaska municipalities and the unorganized borough do not charge local vehicle registration fees.

MVRT Calculation Method

MVRT is calculated based on:

1. Vehicle type (passenger, commercial, motorcycle, etc.)
2. Vehicle model year (newer vehicles pay higher taxes)
3. For commercial vehicles: unladen weight classification
4. Municipality/borough of residence

Mandatory Processing Fees

Alaska imposes several mandatory fees for vehicle registration and title services:

Standard Processing Fees

Emissions Control Program Fee

Alaska charges a $2 fee for vehicles subject to emissions inspection programs under Alaska Statute 28.10.423, though most emissions testing programs in Alaska have been suspended.

Registration Exemptions and Reduced Fees

Alaska offers several registration exemptions and reduced fees for qualifying individuals and organizations:

Special Requirements by Region

Emissions Testing Requirements

Vehicle emissions testing has been suspended statewide. The Fairbanks North Star Borough I/M program was suspended January 1, 2010, and no current emissions testing requirements exist for vehicle registration.

Heavy Vehicle Use Tax

Vehicles exceeding 8,000 lbs unladen weight must provide Heavy Vehicle Use Tax (HVUT) documentation. Commercial vehicles with taxable gross weight of 55,000 lbs or more must provide validated IRS Form 2290 at registration.

Permanent Registration Areas

Certain rural areas of Alaska allow permanent vehicle registration (Z-tabs) for vehicles 8+ years old or trailers of any age. This requires an additional $25 fee but eliminates future registration renewals until ownership transfer.

Title Fees

Alaska title fees are separate from registration fees and apply to ownership transfers:

Title Application Costs

Title fees are collected in addition to registration fees when transferring ownership or registering vehicles from out of state.

Summary Cost Tables

Typical Passenger Vehicle Costs (Biennial)

Commercial Vehicle Examples (Biennial)

Renewal Registrations

Note: These examples exclude specialty plate fees, which range from $30-$100 depending on plate type, and any applicable Heavy Vehicle Use Tax requirements.

For current fee schedules and location-specific MVRT rates, vehicle owners should consult the Alaska DMV registration cost calculator or contact their local Alaska DMV office.