September 18, 2018
Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles fact sheet:
Motor Vehicle Registration Fees
General information
The Division of Motor Vehicles launched DRIVES for Title and Registration services on August 6, 2018.
In an effort to provide better transparency into fees that are part of registering a vehicle, vehicle
owners are now provided an itemized receipt containing all fees paid during a registration
transaction.
This fact sheet provides background on common fees that vehicle owners see on their registration
cards.
Common motor vehicle fees
Specific Ownership Taxes (SOT)
o These taxes are based on the year of manufacture of the vehicle and the original taxable
value, which is determined when the vehicle is new and does not change throughout the life
of the vehicle. SOT is distributed into each county’s general fund with the exception of $0.50
that is distributed to the Colorado DRIVES Vehicle Services Account (formerly known as
CSTARS fund) in the Highway Users Tax Fund (HUTF) pursuant to C.R.S. 42-3-107(22).
o SOT paid for each year is listed on the back of the registration card.
o SOT is in lieu of personal property tax. Vehicles do not need to be operated in order to be
assessed this tax.
o The SOT rate is assessed on the original taxable value and year of service
o For a breakdown of SOT, please visit: https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/dmv/taxes-and-
fees.
Age of Vehicle - Less than seven years old- $12, seven to nine years old- $10 and 10- years and
older- $7.00, pursuant to C.R.S. 42-3-304(9), 42-3-304(10) and 42-3-306(2)(b)(II). This fee is
distributed to the HUTF (C.R.S. 43-4-201)
Clerk Hire Fee - $4 on all registration transactions, pursuant to C.R.S. 42-1-210. This fee is
distributed to the County Clerk and Recorder.
County Road and Bridge - $1.50 for all motor vehicles and trailers greater than 2,000 pounds and
$2.50 for motorcycles, trailers less than 2,000 pounds, and trailer coaches, pursuant to 42-3-310.
This fee is distributed to the County Road and Bridge Fund.
Emissions-Area Air Account - This $1.50 fee is assessed to every item of Class A, B and C personal
property required to be registered in the emissions program area, pursuant to C.R.S. 42-3-
304(18)(b). This fee is distributed to the AIR Account and used for emissions program enforcement
efforts and administration of the program by the Department of Public Health and Environment and
the Department of Revenue.
Emissions Program County Area -This $0.70 fee is assessed to every item of Class A, B and C
personal property required to be registered, regardless of whether it is subject to emissions,
pursuant to C.R.S. 42-3-304(18)(a). This fee is distributed to the County Clerk and Recorder.
Emissions- Statewide Air Account - This $0.50 fee is assessed on every item of Class A, B and C
personal property required to be registered, regardless of whether it is subject to emissions,
pursuant to C.R.S. 42-3-304(18)(a). This fee is distributed to the AIR Account.
September 18, 2018
Emergency Medical Services - $2 to all vehicles, except trailers and Low- Power Scooters, pursuant
to C.R.S. 42-3-304(21). This fee is distributed to the Emergency Medical Services Account, pursuant
to C.R.S. 42-3-304(21).
Insurance Fee - This $0.50 fee is charged to vehicles that are not exempt from the Motorist
Insurance Identification Database fee (vehicles which have qualified as self-insured), C.R.S. 42-3-
304(1)(b). This fee is retained in the DRIVES Account.
Peace Officer Standardized Training (POST) Fee - $1 for all Tax Class A, B and C vehicles, pursuant
to C.R.S. 42-3-304(24). $0.95 of this fee is distributed to the POST Board and $0.05 is retained by
the County Clerk and Recorder, pursuant to 42-3-304(24).
Material Fees - Year tab ($0.17), month tab ($0.11) and license plates (on issuance- embossed set
$3.78, digital set $5.64), pursuant to C.R.S. 42-3-301. This fee is retained in the License Plate Cash
Fund and covers the cost of manufacturing and distributing these materials.
Motorist Insurance Information Database (MIIDB) - $0.10 on Class A, B, and C vehicles and low
power scooters, pursuant to C.R.S. 42-3-304(1) and 42-3-304(18)(d)(I). This fee is distributed to the
DRIVES Vehicle Services Account.
Registration Base Fee - Is based on the weight of a vehicle. Fees for passenger vehicles are pursuant
to C.R.S. 42-3-306(2)(b)(I). This fee is distributed to HUTF.
Funding Advancement for Surface Transportation Economic Recovery (FASTER) fees (Listed as
Road Safety and Bridge Safety) - were created with Senate Bill 09-108. For more information
regarding FASTER fees please visit https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/dmv/taxes-and-fees. These
fees are distributed to the Bridge Special Fund and the HUTF.
Additional fees may be assessed based on vehicle type, license plate type selected, and fuel
type.
More information
For more information on the Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles, please visit:
www.colorado.gov/DMV
