How Much Does It Cost To Register a Car in Kansas in 2025
Kansas vehicle registration costs consist of base registration fees determined by vehicle type and weight, along with mandatory processing fees and potential local county charges. The state operates through a decentralized system where all 105 counties handle vehicle registration and titling through their respective treasurer offices.
Base Registration Fees
Kansas registration fees vary significantly based on vehicle type, weight, and power source. The state uses a tiered fee structure that ranges from basic motorcycles to heavy commercial trucks.
Passenger Vehicles
| Vehicle Type | Weight/Classification | Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Automobiles | Under 4,500 lbs | $30.00 |
| Automobiles | Over 4,500 lbs | $40.00 |
| Electric vehicles | All weights | $100.00 |
| Electric-hybrid & Plug-in hybrid vehicles | All weights | $50.00 |
Motorcycles and Motor Bikes
| Vehicle Type | Annual Fee |
|---|---|
| Motorcycles | $16.00 |
| Motor Bikes | $11.00 |
Commercial Trucks
Regular trucks operate under a gross weight fee structure:
| Gross Weight To | Annual Fee |
|---|---|
| 12M lbs | $40.00 |
| 16M lbs | $202.00 |
| 20M lbs | $232.00 |
| 24M lbs | $297.00 |
| 26M lbs | $412.00 |
| 30M lbs | $412.00 |
| 36M lbs | $475.00 |
| 42M lbs | $575.00 |
| 48M lbs | $705.00 |
| 54M lbs | $905.00 |
| 60M lbs | $1,145.00 |
| 66M lbs | $1,345.00 |
| 74M lbs | $1,670.00 |
| 80M lbs | $1,870.00 |
| 85.5M lbs | $2,070.00 |
Farm Trucks
Kansas provides reduced rates for farm trucks used in agricultural operations:
| Gross Weight To | Annual Fee |
|---|---|
| 16M lbs | $57.00 |
| 20M lbs | $142.00 |
| 24M lbs | $152.00 |
| 26M lbs | $172.00 |
| 36M lbs | $172.00 |
| 54M lbs | $175.00 |
| 60M lbs | $325.00 |
| 66M lbs | $505.00 |
| Over 66M lbs | $745.00 |
Trailers
| Gross Weight To | Annual Fee |
|---|---|
| 8M lbs | $35.00 |
| 12M lbs | $45.00 |
| Over 12M lbs | $55.00 |
Specialty Vehicles
| Vehicle Type | Annual Fee |
|---|---|
| Antique | $40.00 |
| Special Interest | $26.00 |
The Kansas Department of Revenue Division of Vehicles maintains current fee schedules and updates registration requirements.
Local and County Registration Fees
Kansas counties may charge additional local fees beyond state registration requirements. The fee structure varies significantly across the state's 105 counties.
Counties with $5.00 County Service Fee
Most Kansas counties charge a standard $5.00 county service fee, including:
- Johnson County
- Douglas County
- Sedgwick County
Counties with Additional Facility Fees
Some counties charge both service fees and facility fees:
Douglas County charges:
- $5.00 County Service fee
- $3.00 Facility fee
- $3.25 Law Enforcement fee
Sedgwick County charges:
- $5.00 Facility fee (per transaction)
Wyandotte County operates under the same base fee structure as the Kansas County Treasurers Association guidelines.
The remaining Kansas counties typically follow the standard state fee structure without additional local charges beyond the base service fee. County-specific fee information can be verified through the Kansas County Treasurers Association.
Mandatory Processing and Administrative Fees
All Kansas vehicle registrations include mandatory state-imposed fees regardless of county:
| Fee Type | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| DMV Modernization Surcharge | $4.00 | Technology infrastructure improvements |
| Highway Patrol and Training Surcharge | $2.00 | Law enforcement training and operations |
| Law Enforcement Training Center Surcharge | $1.25 | Training facility operations |
These fees apply to all new registrations and renewals statewide.
Special Regional Requirements
Kansas does not require emissions testing in any county. The Kansas Highway Patrol confirms that the state has no emissions testing requirements for any vehicles.
VIN Inspection Requirements
Certain vehicles require VIN inspections before registration:
| Inspection Type | Fee | Required For |
|---|---|---|
| Standard VIN Inspection | $20.00 | Out-of-state titles |
| Rebuilt Salvage Inspection | $25.00 | Salvage title vehicles |
VIN inspections are conducted by the Kansas Highway Patrol or authorized inspection stations statewide.
Title Fees
Kansas title fees are separate from registration costs and apply to vehicle ownership transfers:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Title Application | $10.00 |
| Title Transfer | $6.50 |
| Lienholder Fee | $1.50 |
| Reflectorized Plate Fee | $0.50 |
Title fees remain consistent across all Kansas counties as they are set by state statute.
Cost Summary Examples
Typical Passenger Vehicle (Under 4,500 lbs)
| Component | Cost |
|---|---|
| Base Registration | $30.00 |
| DMV Modernization Surcharge | $4.00 |
| Highway Patrol Surcharge | $2.00 |
| Law Enforcement Training Surcharge | $1.25 |
| Average County Service Fee | $5.00 |
| Total Registration Cost | $42.25 |
Typical Passenger Vehicle (Over 4,500 lbs)
| Component | Cost |
|---|---|
| Base Registration | $40.00 |
| DMV Modernization Surcharge | $4.00 |
| Highway Patrol Surcharge | $2.00 |
| Law Enforcement Training Surcharge | $1.25 |
| Average County Service Fee | $5.00 |
| Total Registration Cost | $52.25 |
Electric Vehicle
| Component | Cost |
|---|---|
| Base Registration | $100.00 |
| DMV Modernization Surcharge | $4.00 |
| Highway Patrol Surcharge | $2.00 |
| Law Enforcement Training Surcharge | $1.25 |
| Average County Service Fee | $5.00 |
| Total Registration Cost | $112.25 |
Motorcycle
| Component | Cost |
|---|---|
| Base Registration | $16.00 |
| DMV Modernization Surcharge | $4.00 |
| Highway Patrol Surcharge | $2.00 |
| Law Enforcement Training Surcharge | $1.25 |
| Average County Service Fee | $5.00 |
| Total Registration Cost | $28.25 |
These totals exclude property taxes, which are calculated separately based on vehicle value and assessed through the Kansas Vehicle Property Tax Calculator.
Vehicle registration in Kansas is processed through county treasurer offices. The Kansas Department of Revenue provides oversight and fee schedule updates, while individual counties handle transactions and collect fees.
For current fee schedules and specific county requirements, consult the Kansas County Treasurers Association directory to locate your county treasurer's office. Property tax estimates are available through the state's Vehicle Property Tax Calculator, and sales tax calculations can be completed using the Kansas Department of Revenue Sales Tax Calculator.
