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Connecticut Guide

How to Title a Private Car Sale in Connecticut

Last verified: October 2026 against Connecticut DMV and DRS sources

When you buy a car from a private seller in Connecticut, you register it by appointment at a DMV office and pay the sales tax there.

Here is the order to do it in, what it costs, and what to bring.

Step by step

  1. 1

    Get the assigned title and a bill of sale

    The seller assigns the Certificate of Title to you. Get a bill of sale (Form H-31) with the price.

  2. 2

    Complete Form H-13B

    Fill out the Application for Registration and Title (Form H-13B) and write the purchase price on it.

  3. 3

    Get Connecticut insurance

    You need a current Connecticut insurance card for the vehicle and acceptable identification.

  4. 4

    Register by appointment and pay

    The tax is 6.35% (7.75% for a vehicle over $50,000) on the NADA average trade-in value or the price, whichever is higher.

    The title is $25. Registration is $120 for three years, plus a $15 Clean Air Act fee, $24 Passport to the Parks fee, and $10 administrative fee. New plates add $5, and vehicles four model years old or newer pay a $40 emissions exemption fee.

  5. 5

    Get the emissions test

    If the car was registered in Connecticut before, you can register it first and then have it emissions tested within 30 days to avoid a late fee. You will not get a reminder.

Town property tax

  • Connecticut vehicles are subject to local property tax, whether or not they are registered.
  • Your town’s tax collector computes and bills it each year.
  • A vehicle with delinquent property tax cannot be transferred tax-free within a family.

What to bring

  • The Certificate of Title, assigned to you by the seller
  • Bill of sale (Form H-31)
  • Application for Registration and Title (Form H-13B), with the price
  • Connecticut insurance card
  • Acceptable identification
  • Payment for sales tax, the title fee, and registration

Estimate your Connecticut costs

Connecticut taxes the higher of the price or the NADA average trade-in value; enter the higher figure. The calculator shows the three-year registration and does not include town property tax.

Open the full Connecticut calculator

Vehicle & Transaction Details

Enter purchase information to calculate true out-of-pocket costs in Connecticut.

51 Jurisdictions Active
Connecticut 6.35% tax base
$
7 years old
Connecticut tag options
3-Year Term (Connecticut registers for three years)
EV surcharge rules
Lien fee: $10.00
Connecticut: Non-Deductible
$

Connecticut Notice: Connecticut taxes the full agreed vehicle price. Trade-ins do not reduce the tax base on private-party sales.

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Estimated taxes & fees

Estimated taxes & fees

Jurisdiction

Connecticut

Estimated taxes & fees
$1,146.50

Sales/Excise Tax + Title Certificate + Tags & Registration

Itemized Line ItemEstimated Fee
1Vehicle Sales / Excise Tax (6.35%)

6.35% assessed on vehicle Fair Market Value

$952.50
2Certificate of Title Fee

Standard state title certificate issuance

$25.00
3Lien / Security Filing Fee

Unfinanced / cash purchase (waived $0.00)

$0.00
4Registration & Tag Fee

Base license plates & tags

$169.00

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Book Value Assessment Rule (≤ 7 Years Old)

Because this vehicle is 7 years old or newer (7 years old), Connecticut DMV may assess the 6.35% tax on book value instead of your purchase price unless accompanied by a verified or notarized bill of sale.

Connecticut rates last verified: October 2026
Official Notice & Statutory Disclaimers

Estimates only, not tax or legal advice. Verify with the Connecticut DMV or the Department of Revenue Services.

A private sale is taxed at 6.35% (7.75% over $50,000) on the higher of the price or the NADA average trade-in value. The estimate uses the price you enter.

Trade-in credit applies only to purchases from a licensed dealer. Swapped vehicles are taxed on their average trade-in value.

Registration shown is for three years: $120 ($63 for motorcycles) plus the $15 Clean Air Act, $24 Passport to the Parks, and $10 administrative fees. A plate fee ($5 for new plates) and, for vehicles four model years old or newer, a $40 emissions exemption fee may apply.

Your town bills property tax on the vehicle every year. It is not included here.

County & Local Tax Note: Connecticut has no local sales tax on vehicles. Your town charges property tax on the vehicle each year; it is billed by the local tax collector and is not included here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this Connecticut DMV and DRS process.

It is on the NADA average trade-in value or the bill of sale price, whichever is higher.

Sources

Last verified: October 2026. Rules change, so check with Connecticut DMV and DRS before you go.

More Connecticut guides

How to Gift a Car in ConnecticutThe AU-463 gift declaration, the family exemption, and registering.Titling a Car in Connecticut After Moving From Another StateThe 90-day deadline, emissions or VIN check, title, and tax.
Connecticut Private Party Car Tax Calculator