Vehicle Registration Information
If you have a vehicle to register for the first time, you will need to come to the Durham Town Offices. Re-registrations can be done online or at the Town Office.
Excise tax is paid as a percentage of the MSRP when the vehicle was new.
Year 1 | .024 |
Year 2 | .0175 |
Year 3 | .0135 |
Year 4 | .01 |
Year 5 | .0065 |
Year 6+ | .004 |
Various specialty license plates are available in our office and are an additional $20 for the first year, with most falling to $15 every year thereafter. Vanity plates are an additional $25 each year and are available only through the Bureau of Motor Vehicles.
To register a new vehicle purchased from a dealer please bring:
- Proof of residency
- Application for Title (blue form) or Title (all vehicles 1995 and newer require Titles)
- Bill of sale (proof of sales tax payment)
- Munroney Label (this is the window sticker and is only required on new vehicles)
- Proof of automobile insurance (the card must list the new vehicle)
To register a new vehicle purchased in a private sale please bring:
- Proof of residency
- Title transferred by a signature on the back (all vehicles 1995 and newer require Titles)
- Bill of sale (please include VIN number, description of vehicle, seller's name and address, and the price)
- Proof of automobile insurance
To register a vehicle previously registered in a different state please bring:
- Proof of Durham residency
- Title (all vehicles 1995 and newer require Titles) or name and address of lien holder
- Original registration from previous state
- Proof of automobile insurance
To re-register a vehicle please bring:
- Proof of residency (if the vehicle was not previously registered in Durham)
- Most recent registration
- Proof of automobile insurance