The District of Columbia charges motor vehicle excise tax (title tax) rather than a flat sales tax rate, so what you pay depends on the car itself. A trade-in does not reduce the taxable price here.
Type your own numbers and see the same car priced as cash and as a loan, with the taxes and state fees for District of Columbia. Nothing you type leaves this page.
To see a lease, pick a vehicle. A lease is priced on one car: what it is expected to be worth at the end (its residual) and the leasing company's money factor change by model and by month.
An estimate on the numbers you type, not an offer of credit or a quote from any dealership. Starting loan rates are Rateous's rates for each credit range and term; they are not an offer from any lender. The documentary fee starts at an example figure, the state's legal cap where it has one or $599 where it does not, not any dealership's fee; each dealership sets its own. Taxes and state fees are estimates for District of Columbia; the dealership's paperwork and your motor vehicle agency have the final numbers. Nothing you type is sent, saved, or used to check your credit.
Typical new-car excise: a 3,500-4,999 lb gasoline car rated 26-30 mpg city pays 4.1% of price; a 21-25 mpg SUV in the same weight class pays 6.0%; hybrids at 40+ mpg pay 2.5%.
Electric vehicles lost their excise exemption under the Motor Excise Tax Amendment Act of 2024 and now pay 1%-3% by weight.
The 2026 registration schedule is a large increase over prior years (3,500-4,999 lbs was $115); confirm with the DMV fee estimator for the exact vehicle.
On a $35,000 new car with a $37,000 sticker, registered in Washington, no trade-in: the same figures the calculator above uses. The dealership's documentary fee is its own and is not included.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Title fee | $30.00 |
| Registration (est., weight based) | $175.00 |
| Registration card (per year (DC DMV fee schedule)) | $30.00 |
| In all | $235.00 |
The District of Columbia taxes the vehicle's price when the leased car is titled. The leasing company pays it and it is carried in the lease, so it shows up in your payment rather than as a separate tax on each payment. Excise tax is due when the leased vehicle is titled in DC (paid by the lessor and typically passed through); DC sales tax applies to rental charges.
Pick your city for the exact combined rate where you register, plus what title and registration run there.
The District of Columbia does not use one flat rate. It charges motor vehicle excise tax (title tax), and the rate depends on the vehicle. Rate depends on unladen weight and EPA city MPG (effective Feb 17, 2025): 3,499 lbs or less: 9.0% (20 mpg or less), 5.0% (21-25), 3.1% (26-30), 2.2% (31-39), 1.5% (40+), 1.0% EV. 3,500-4,999 lbs: 10.0% / 6.0% / 4.1% / 3.2% / 2.5% / 2.0% EV. 5,000 lbs or more: 11.0% / 7.0% / 5.1% / 4.2% / 3.5% / 3.0% EV. Applied to fair market value (purchase price for a new vehicle).
The excise tax is assessed on the vehicle's fair market value; DC does not reduce the base for a trade-in.
On a $35,000 new car with a $37,000 sticker, registered in Washington: Title fee $30.00, Registration (est., weight based) $175.00, Registration card (per year (DC DMV fee schedule)) $30.00, about $235.00 in all. Annual registration effective March 30, 2026: up to 3,499 lbs $70; 3,500-4,999 lbs $175; 5,000-5,999 lbs $300; 6,000 lbs and over $550 plus $75 per 1,000 lbs over 10,000; battery electric vehicles $40. A 3,500 lb car pays $175.
No. The District of Columbia sets no statutory cap. Each dealership sets its own documentary fee (not a government fee), and each car shows its dealership's fee.
The District of Columbia taxes the vehicle's price when the leased car is titled. The leasing company pays it and it is carried in the lease, so it shows up in your payment rather than as a separate tax on each payment. Excise tax is due when the leased vehicle is titled in DC (paid by the lessor and typically passed through); DC sales tax applies to rental charges.