Moving to Tennessee: car title and registration costs
Moving to Tennessee with a car you own: title and registration come to about $26.50 for a $20,000 car you have owned over a year (estimate). Register within 30 days of moving (Tennessee Department of Revenue).
Tax on the car itself: $0.00 plus anything you fill in.
Estimate of government charges. The DMV or county office calculates the final amount.
Your own numbers
Set up for: moving to Tennessee · Different situation?
Every line for a new resident
| Line | Group | Amount | Set by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Use tax on a vehicle imported when moving (only if it was NOT titled/registered in your name in the previous state) | State & local tax | you fill in | Tennessee Department of Revenue |
| Title fee (ask your county clerk) | Title | you fill in | Tennessee Department of Revenue |
| Standard passenger plate fee (state) | Registration & plates | $26.50 | Tennessee Department of Revenue |
| County clerk fees, county wheel tax and local privilege tax | Registration & plates | you fill in | Tennessee Department of Revenue |
Deadlines
- New residents register within: 30 days (Tennessee Department of Revenue)
- Used vehicle bought from a Tennessee resident: title and register before driving it on a public road (Tennessee Department of Revenue)
- New car bought out of state: apply before the out-of-state temporary tag expires (Tennessee Department of Revenue)
Sales tax when you move
- Use tax on a vehicle imported when moving (only if it was NOT titled/registered in your name in the previous state): A bona fide change of residence lets you bring a personal vehicle in tax-free when it was titled/registered in the name that will be on the Tennessee title (Tenn. Code Ann. § 67-6-210).
Checklist before the DMV visit
- Your out-of-state title (or the lender's details if there is a loan) and current registration
- Proof of insurance that meets the state's requirements
- Your new driver license or ID, and proof of your new address
- Odometer reading; some states also need a VIN or safety/emissions inspection
- Proof of sales tax you paid when you bought the car, if it was recent (several states credit it or exempt you)
After that: yearly renewal
See registration and title fees in Tennessee for the yearly cost.
Official tools: Tennessee Department of Revenue help center: vehicle title and registration (county clerk handles all transactions)
Sources
- Tennessee Department of Revenue: SUT-50 - Motor Vehicles and Boats Imported into Tennessee
- Tennessee Department of Revenue: VR-4 - Registration Fees
- Tennessee Department of Revenue: VR-6 - New Residents Should Register Within 30 Days
- Tennessee Department of Revenue: VTR-46 - When Title/Registration Must Occur After Purchase of Used Vehicle
- Tennessee Department of Revenue: VTR-47 - New Car Purchased Out of State - Title/Registration Procedure
FAQ
How long do I have to register my car after moving to Tennessee?
New residents register within: 30 days, per Tennessee Department of Revenue.
Do I pay sales tax when I bring my car to Tennessee?
A bona fide change of residence lets you bring a personal vehicle in tax-free when it was titled/registered in the name that will be on the Tennessee title (Tenn. Code Ann. § 67-6-210).
How much does it cost to register an out-of-state car in Tennessee?
About $26.50 for a $20,000 car owned over a year (estimate of title and registration).