How much does it cost to register a semi-truck in each state?

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

Registering a semi-truck is a must-do for owner-operators, no matter where you live or the type of truck you operate. However, the registration process varies greatly depending on where your business operates.

Continue reading for information on how to register a semi-truck and how much it costs to register a semi-truck in each state.

This article is not intended to, and does not, provide legal, tax, or business advice, nor is it intended to be an exhaustive list of all requirements that an owner-operator must follow in connection with the registration of a vehicle. We recommend that you engage with your applicable professional consultants to ensure that you are taking advantage of the best opportunities for your business. 

How to register your semi-truck as an interstate owner-operator

If you’re an owner-operator who hauls freight across state lines, you’re considered an interstate owner-operator.

Tractors that operate in multiple states most likely need to have apportioned plates. You can apply for apportioned registration through the International Registration Plan (IRP).

How to register your semi-truck as an intrastate owner-operator

If you’re an owner-operator who only hauls freight in one state, you’re likely considered an intrastate owner-operator.  

Tractors that operate only within state lines should be registered through the state where your business is established (base jurisdiction). In some cases, this can be done through your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), similar to how you would register a personal vehicle.

Each state uses one of the following to calculate registration fees for intrastate owner-operators:

Gross combined weight rating (GCWR)

The GCWR is the maximum loaded weight of a semi-tractor and trailer combined, as specified by the tractor manufacturer. The GCWR is listed on the tractor’s VIN plate.

• Tractor registration fees are based on the GCWR in most states.
• Single-axle tractor-trailers typically rate between 50,000 to 70,000 pounds.
• Tandem-axle tractor-trailers can rate up to 80,000 pounds.

Gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR)

The GVWR is the maximum loaded weight of any given vehicle (tractor or trailer), as determined by the equipment manufacturer. The GVWR of a truck is listed on its VIN plate.

• Trailer registration fees are based on the GVWR of the trailer in many states.
• A 53-foot dry van trailer can rate up to 68,000 pounds.
• A tractor can rate 33,001 pounds or more.

Unladen weight

Unladen weight is the empty weight of a tractor and/or trailer. Though less common, unladen weight is sometimes used to determine tractor and/or trailer registration fees.

• An unladen tractor can weigh between 10,000 and 25,000 pounds.
• An unladen 53-foot dry van trailer weighs about 10,000 pounds. 

Semi-truck registration cost by state

Here’s a closer look at truck and trailer registration fees by state, as of the publication date of this article. You’ll get a better idea of how much it costs to register a semi-truck as an intrastate owner-operator. (These charges and requirements may be changed by the individual state, so be sure to check the applicable state’s website for the most up-to-date information.) 

State first letter:

A-I
J-N
O-Z

Alabama

Tractor registration fees are based on: GVWR.

Tractor registration fee: $585 to $815 annually.

Trailer registration fee: $20 annually.

Resources:  

• Alabama vehicle registration fees
• Alabama trailer registration fees
• Alabama truck tractor registration fees

Alaska 

Tractor registration fees are based on:Unladen weight.

Tractor registration fee: $268 to $662 biennially.

Trailer registration fee:$20 for permanent registration.

Resources:

• Alaska vehicle registration fees calculator
• Alaska trailer registration fees
• Alaska State Statute 28-10-421

Arizona 

Tractor registration fees are based on: GCWR. 

Tractor registration fee: $630 to $918 annually. 

Trailer registration fee: $800 for permanent registration. 

Resources:

• Arizona commercial vehicle registration fees
• Arizona trailer registration fees

Arkansas 

Tractor registration fees are based on: GCWR. 

Tractor registration fee: $553 to $1,350 annually. 

Trailer registration fee: $20 annually or $65 for permanent registration. 

Resources:

• Arkansas vehicle registration fee schedule 
• Arkansas trailer fee schedule 

California 

Tractor registration fees are based on: GCWR. 

Tractor registration fee: $1,270 to $2,064 annually. 

Trailer registration fee: $20 for permanent trailer identification plus $10 every five years for renewal. 

Resources:

• California commercial vehicle registration fees
• California vehicle registration procedures manual 

Colorado 

Tractor registration fees are based on: Unladen weight. 

Tractor registration fee: $143 to $490 annually. 

Trailer registration fee: $7.50 annually. 

Resource:Colorado Revised Statute 42-3-306

Connecticut 

Tractor registration fees are based on: GCWR. 

Tractor registration fee: $895 to $1,546 annually. 

Trailer registration fee: $40 annually. 

Resource: Connecticut commercial vehicle fee chart

Delaware 

Tractor AND trailer registration fees are based on: GVWR. 

Tractor registration fee: $40 for the first 5,000 lbs. and $18 for each additional 1,000 lbs. annually. 

Trailer registration fee: $40 for the first 5,000 lbs. and $18 for each additional 1,000 lbs. annually. 

Resources:

• Delaware vehicle registration fees 
• Delaware heavy vehicle registration information

Florida 

Tractor registration fees are based on: GCWR. 

Tractor registration fee: $773 to $1,322 annually. 

Trailer registration fee: $13.50 annually or $68 for permanent registration. 

Resource: Florida motor vehicle registration fees

Georgia

Tractor registration fees are based on: GVWR. 

Tractor registration fee: $365 to $725 annually. 

Trailer registration fee: $12 annually. 

Resource: Georgia Code Section 40-2-151(10)(a)

Hawaii 

Tractor AND trailer registration fees are based on: Unladen weight. 

Tractor registration price: About $300 annually. 

Trailer registration fee: About $300 annually. 

Resource: Hawaii motor vehicle registration fees

Idaho 

Tractor registration fees are based on: GCWR and tractor mileage. 

Tractor registration fee: $515.40 to $3,360.00 annually. 

Trailer registration fee: $15 annually or $99 for permanent registration. 

Resources:

• Idaho vehicle registration fees 
• Fee schedule for Idaho-based carriers 
• Idaho Statute 49-4-434 

Illinois 

Tractor registration fees are based on: GCWR. 

Tractor registration fee: $1,798 to $2,890 annually. 

Trailer registration fee: $270 to $1602 annually. 

Resource: Illinois commercial vehicle fees 

Indiana 

Tractor registration fees are based on: GCWR. 

Tractor registration fee: $900 to $1,692 annually. 

Trailer registration fee: $82 for permanent registration. 

Resource: Indiana vehicle registration fees 

Iowa 

Tractor registration fees are based on: GCWR. 

Tractor registration fee: $965 to $1,695 annually. 

Trailer registration fee: $30 annually. 

Resource: Iowa vehicle registration fees

Kansas 

Tractor registration fees are based on: GCWR. 

Tractor registration fee: $917.25 to $2,082.25 annually. 

Trailer registration fees: $54 to $64 annually (depending on the trailer’s GVWR) or $184 for a five-year registration. 

Resource: Kansas heavy truck registration fees schedule

Kentucky 

Tractor registration fees are based on: GCWR. 

Tractor registration fee: $699 to $1,440 annually. 

Trailer registration fee: $19.50 annually or $98 for permanent registration. 

Resources:

• Kentucky intrastate carrier resources 
• Kentucky Statute 186.675 
• Kentucky Statute 186.050 

Louisiana 

Tractor registration fees are based on: GCWR. 

Tractor registration fee: $315 to $504 annually. 

Trailer registration fees: $10 annually or $70 for permanent registration. 

Resource: LA Revised Statute 47-462

Maine 

Tractor registration fees are based on: GCWR. 

Tractor registration fee: $533 to $877 annually. 

Trailer registration fee: $20 annually. 

Resources:

• Maine truck registration fee chart 
• Maine Revised Statute 29A-5-4 

Maryland 

Tractor registration fees are based on: GCWR. 

Tractor registration fee: $2,550 to $4,200 annually. 

Trailer registration fee: $68.25 annually. 

Resource: Maryland vehicle fees

Massachusetts 

Tractor registration fees are based on: GCWR. 

Tractor registration fee: $1,000 to $1,600 annually. 

Trailer registration fee: $300 for a five-year registration. 

Resource: Massachusetts schedule of fees

Michigan 

Tractor registration fees are based on: GCWR. 

Tractor registration fee: $1,362 to $1,992 annually. 

Trailer registration fee: $200 to $300 for permanent registration (depending on the trailer’s unladen weight). 

Resources:

• Michigan commercial truck fees chart 
• Michigan trailer fees chart 

Minnesota 

Tractor registration fees are based on: GCWR. 

Tractor registration fee: $715 to $1,760 annually. 

Trailer registration fee: Registered with tractor. 

Resource: Minnesota vehicle registration taxes

Mississippi 

Tractor registration fees are based on: GCWR. 

Tractor registration fee: $612 to $1,512 annually. 

Trailer registration fees: $10 annually. 

Resources:

• Mississippi Code Section 27-19-11 
• Mississippi road and bridge tax 

Missouri 

Tractor registration fees are based on: GCWR. 

Tractor registration fee: $688 to $1,720 annually. 

Trailer registration fees: $7.50 annually or $52.50 for permanent registration. 

Resources:

• Missouri commercial truck registration fees 
• Missouri motor vehicles registration fees 

Montana 

Tractor registration fees are based on: GCWR and truck model year. 

Tractor registration fee: $23.44 plus rated capacity fee. 

Trailer registration fee: $148.25 for permanent registration. 

Resources:

• Montana commercial truck registration fees 
• Montana trailer registration fees 

Nebraska 

Tractor registration fees are based on: GCWR. 

Tractor registration price range: $535 to $910 annually. 

Trailer registration fee: $1 annually. 

Resources:

• Nebraska commercial vehicle registration fees 
• Nebraska Revised Statute 60-3-151 

Nevada 

Tractor registration fees are based on: GCWR. 

Tractor registration fee: $850 to $1,360 annually. 

Trailer registration fee: $24 for permanent registration. 

Resource: Nevada vehicle registration fees

New Hampshire 

Tractor registration fees are based on: GCWR. 

Tractor registration fee: $480 to $800 annually.  

Trailer registration fee: $24 annually 

Resource: New Hampshire Revised Statute 21-261-141 

New Jersey 

Tractor registration fees are based on: GCWR. 

Tractor registration fee: $757.50 to $1,267.50 annually. 

Trailer registration fee: $32 annually or $85.50 for a four-year registration. 

Resource: New Jersey commercial fees

New Mexico 

Tractor registration fees are based on: GCWR. 

Tractor registration fee: About $172 annually. 

Trailer registration fee: $10 for permanent registration. 

Resources:

• New Mexico Statute 66-6-4  
• New Mexico House Bill 759

New York 

Tractor registration fees are based on: GCWR. 

Tractor registration fee: Up to $576 annually. 

Trailer registration fee: $28.75 annually. 

Resources:

• New York commercial vehicle registration fees  
• Laws of New York 71-4-14 

North Carolina 

Tractor registration fees are based on: GCWR. 

Tractor registration fee: $1,380 to $2,205 annually. 

Trailer registration fee: $32.25 annually. 

Resources:

• North Carolina commercial truck license fees
• North Carolina motor vehicle registration fees 

North Dakota 

Tractor registration fees are based on: GCWR and year registered. 

Tractor registration fee: $562 to $1,059 annually. 

Trailer registration fee: $20 annually or $120 permanent registration. 

Resources:

• North Dakota large truck fees
• North Dakota vehicle registration manual 

Ohio 

Tractor registration fees are based on: GCWR. 

Tractor registration fee: $690 to $1,370 annually. 

Trailer registration fee: $36 annually or $293.25 for permanent registration. 

Resource: Ohio commercial vehicle registration fees

Oklahoma 

Tractor registration fees are based on: GCWR. 

Tractor registration fee: $450 to $948 annually. 

Trailer registration fee: $48 for the first year, then $6 annually. 

Resources:

• Oklahoma vehicle registration fees 
• Oklahoma commercial trailer registration 

Oregon 

Tractor registration fees are based on: GCWR. 

Tractor registration fee: $625 to $998 annually. 

Trailer registration fee: $10 for permanent registration. 

Resources:

• Oregon commercial vehicle registration 
• Oregon commercial vehicle fees 

Pennsylvania 

Tractor registration fees are based on: GCWR. 

Tractor registration fee: $1,440 to $2,935 annually. 

Trailer registration fee: $46 annually or $223 for permanent registration. 

Resource: Pennsylvania motor vehicles schedule of fees

Rhode Island 

Tractor registration fees are based on: GCWR. 

Tractor registration fee: $660 to $1,044 annually. 

Trailer registration fee: Based on the trailer’s GVWR. 

Resource: Rhode Island truck registration fees

South Carolina 

Tractor registration fees are based on: GCWR. 

Tractor registration fee: $377 to $800 annually. 

Trailer registration fee: $20 annually or $87 for permanent registration. 

Resource: South Carolina vehicle fees

South Dakota 

Tractor registration fees are based on: GCWR. 

Tractor registration fee: $1,000 to $1,567 annually. 

Trailer registration fee: $10 annually. 

Resource: South Dakota vehicle registration fees

Tennessee 

Tractor registration fees are based on: GCWR. 

Tractor registration fee: $942 to $1,352.50 annually. 

Trailer registration fee: $95 for permanent registration. 

Resources:

• Tennessee Code Section 55-4-113 
• Tennessee freight motor vehicle registration taxes 

Texas 

Tractor registration fees are based on: GCWR. 

Tractor registration fee: $535 to $840 annually. 

Trailer registration fee: $15 annually. 

Resources:

• Texas DMV registration fees  
• Texas trailer registration fees 

Utah 

Tractor registration fees are based on: GCWR. 

Tractor registration fee: $392.50 to $677.50 annually. 

Trailer registration fee: $31 annually. 

Resource: Utah Code Section 41-1a-1206

Vermont 

Tractor registration fees are based on: GCWR. 

Tractor registration fee: $1,651.18 to $2,796.30 annually. 

Trailer registration fee: $63 annually. 

Resource: Vermont DMV truck registration fees 

Virginia 

Tractor registration fees are based on: GCWR. 

Tractor registration fee: $1,154.50 to $1,889.50 annually. 

Trailer registration fee: $40 annually or $100 for permanent registration. 

Resources:

• Virginia DMV vehicle registration fees 
• Virginia DMV fees 

Washington 

Tractor registration fees are based on: GCWR. 

Tractor registration fee: $735 to $1,830 annually. 

Trailer registration fee: $34 annually. 

Resources:

• Revised Code of Washington 46.17.355 
• Washington license fees by vehicle type 

West Virginia 

Tractor registration fees are based on: GCWR. 

Tractor registration fee: $420 to $1,132.75 annually. 

Trailer registration fee: $51 for permanent registration. 

Resource: West Virginia motor vehicle fees

Wisconsin 

Tractor registration fees are based on: GCWR. 

Tractor registration fee: $1,081 to $2,578 annually. 

Trailer registration fee: Based on GVW.

Resources:

• Wisconsin’s vehicle registration fees 
• Wisconsin DOT quarterly registration fees 

Wyoming 

Tractor registration fees are based on: GCWR for state fee, value and model year for county fee. 

Tractor registration fee: $522.50 to $907.50 annually, plus county fee. 

Trailer registration fee: $190 annually, plus county fee. 

Resources:

• Wyoming state registration fees  
• Wyoming county fee calculator