Virginia Car Sales Tax Calculator
Virginia charges 4.15% motor vehicle sales and use tax (sut) on a used car purchase, verified September 15, 2026. There is no local tax on top. A trade-in is not deducted: tax is charged on the full price. Private-party sales are taxed too, paid when you title the car.
Figures verified September 15, 2026; sources linked per row. Re-checked quarterly, next due December 15, 2026.
Taxable amount: $25,000. Tax only; dealer doc fees, title and registration are separate, and some states tax the doc fee as part of the price. The local figure is an estimate from the state's published range unless you entered your own rate.
The Virginia numbers, with sources
Each figure below was checked on September 15, 2026 against the page linked in the source column, and the wording the state uses is quoted so you can confirm it yourself.
| Item | Virginia | Source |
|---|---|---|
| State rate (Motor Vehicle Sales and Use Tax (SUT)) | 4.15% | dmv.virginia.gov(state source)As published: “Virginia is required to collect a 4.15% Sales and Use Tax (SUT) at the time of titling whenever a vehicle is sold, and/or the ownership of the vehicle changes.” |
| Local tax range | None | dmv.virginia.gov(state source)As published: “Virginia is required to collect a 4.15% Sales and Use Tax (SUT) at the time of titling whenever a vehicle is sold, and/or the ownership of the vehicle changes.” |
| Trade-in credit | No credit | dmv.virginia.gov(state source)As published: “It includes the dealer processing fee, but does not include any other price reductions, such as credit for trade-ins, unpaid liens or other unpaid credits.” |
| Dealer doc fee | No cap (typically $825) | law.lis.virginia.gov(state source)As published: “Any item designated as 'processing fee,' and the amount charged by the dealer, if any, for processing the transaction.” |
| Title fee | $15 | dmv.virginia.gov(state source)As published: “Original title $15.00” |
| Registration (by weight) | $30.75 to $35.75 | dmv.virginia.gov(state source)As published: “Passenger - 4,000 lbs or less * ** *** $30.75 Passenger - 4,001 lbs to 6,500 lbs * ** *** $35.75” |
| Private-party sale taxed | Yes, paid when you title the car | dmv.virginia.gov(state source)As published: “when the sales price is not within a $1,500 variance of the current trade-in value as listed in the NADA Official Used Car Guide.” |
- Local tax: The SUT is collected by the DMV at titling at a single statewide 4.15% rate; the DMV SUT page and the DMV 201 fee schedule list no local component.
- Doc fee: Va. Code 46.2-1530 requires the processing fee to be itemized on the buyer's order and disclosed on a sign in the sales area but sets no maximum amount. CarEdge's report of 93,200 verified quotes (July 2025 to September 2026) puts the average doc fee in Virginia at $825.
- Registration: Passenger 4,000 lbs or less $30.75; 4,001 to 6,500 lbs $35.75; plus $2.00 emissions fee in Northern Virginia localities, local registration fees in Local Vehicle Registration Program localities, and the Highway Use Fee where applicable (electric vehicle $135.63).
Next steps
- Out-the-door price calculator: adds the Virginia doc fee, title and registration to the tax for the full figure.
- Dealer doc fees by state and registration and title fees by state: see how Virginia compares.
- All states: the full sales tax table.
Tax is fixed. The price is not.
CarWorthIt prices a specific VIN at its mileage against cars actually for sale near your ZIP code from $2.99. The $9.99 Negotiation Bundle adds an opening offer and a walk-away figure, so the number Virginia taxes is the right one.
Virginia car tax questions
Does Virginia charge sales tax on a private-party car sale?
Yes. Collected by the DMV at the time of titling. Tax is on the sales price shown on the title or bill of sale, with a $75 minimum; for vehicles less than 5 years old an Affidavit for Procurement of Title (SUT-1A) is required when the price is not within $1,500 of the NADA trade-in value.
Does Virginia give a trade-in credit on car sales tax?
No. Virginia charges tax on the full purchase price; a trade-in lowers what you pay the dealer but not the tax.
What is the dealer doc fee cap in Virginia?
Virginia sets no legal cap on dealer doc fees. Dealers typically charge $825. Va. Code 46.2-1530 requires the processing fee to be itemized on the buyer's order and disclosed on a sign in the sales area but sets no maximum amount. CarEdge's report of 93,200 verified quotes (July 2025 to September 2026) puts the average doc fee in Virginia at $825. If the dealer will not drop the fee, ask for the same amount off the price.
Do local sales taxes apply to car purchases in Virginia?
No. The SUT is collected by the DMV at titling at a single statewide 4.15% rate; the DMV SUT page and the DMV 201 fee schedule list no local component.
How much does a car title cost in Virginia?
$15 (flat). DMV 201 fee schedule dated 08/10/2026.
How much is annual car registration in Virginia?
$30.75 to $35.75 a year for a passenger car, by weight. Passenger 4,000 lbs or less $30.75; 4,001 to 6,500 lbs $35.75; plus $2.00 emissions fee in Northern Virginia localities, local registration fees in Local Vehicle Registration Program localities, and the Highway Use Fee where applicable (electric vehicle $135.63).
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