CarTaxHub
CarTaxHub.comPrivate Party Vehicle Tax & Tags Calculator
Utah Guide

How to Title a Private Car Sale in Utah

Last verified: October 2026 against Utah DMV and Tax Commission sources

When you buy a car from a private seller in Utah, you can transfer the title online with the Utah Person to Person service or at a DMV office, and pay sales tax on the price you paid.

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

Step by step

  1. 1

    Check the title

    The seller gives you the original title or a completed Application for Utah Duplicate Title (TC-123). Make sure the VIN matches the vehicle, the seller has signed, any lienholder has released the lien, and the purchase date and price are filled in.

  2. 2

    Complete the odometer disclosure

    For a vehicle less than 20 years old, the odometer section must be completed, or use an Odometer Disclosure Statement (TC-891) signed by both of you.

  3. 3

    Fill out Form TC-656

    You complete the Application for Utah Title and Registration (TC-656). Every owner on the application needs government-issued ID.

  4. 4

    Get an emissions test if your county requires it

    If you live in Salt Lake, Davis, Weber, Cache, or Utah county, an emissions inspection may be required.

  5. 5

    Pay the tax and fees

    Sales tax is the combined rate where you will register the car (6.35% to 10.05%) on the price you actually paid. Underreporting can bring a fraud penalty of 100% of the tax or $500, whichever is greater.

    The title is $6. Registration is $72.50 plus the uniform age-based fee: $150 for model years 2024 to 2026 down to $10 for 2014 and older.

Utah’s uniform fee (2026, passenger vehicles)

Charged at each registration in place of property tax:

  • Model years 2024 to 2026: $150
  • 2021 to 2023: $110
  • 2018 to 2020: $80
  • 2015 to 2017: $50
  • 2014 and older: $10

What to bring

  • The original title (or TC-123), signed by the seller, with the lien released
  • Odometer disclosure (or TC-891) for vehicles under 20 years old
  • Application for Utah Title and Registration (TC-656)
  • Government-issued ID for every owner
  • Emissions certificate, if your county requires one
  • Payment for sales tax, the title fee, and registration

Estimate your Utah costs

The calculator includes the $72.50 registration fee and the uniform fee for the model year. County corridor and air pollution control fees may add a few dollars.

Open the full Utah calculator

Vehicle & Transaction Details

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

51 Jurisdictions Active
Utah 4.85% tax base
$
7 years old
Utah tag options
1-Year Term (Utah registers for one year)
EV surcharge rules
Lien fee: $0.00
Utah: Deductible
$

Utah Statute: Utah allows trade-in value on private sales to be deducted from the purchase price before applying the 4.85% fee.

Vehicle HistorySponsored Link

Check this VIN before you buy

Spot accident, title, and odometer problems before you pay a private seller.

Check the VIN

We may earn a commission if you use partner links. It doesn't change your estimate.

Estimated taxes & fees

Estimated taxes & fees

Jurisdiction

Utah

Estimated taxes & fees
$1,111.00 – $1,666.00

Sales/Excise Tax (State + Local Range) + Title Certificate + Tags & Registration

Itemized Line ItemEstimated Fee
1Vehicle Sales / Excise Tax (4.85% State + Local Range)

State tax $727.50 + Local tax (varies by county) $225.00–$780.00

$952.50 – $1,507.50
2Certificate of Title Fee

Standard state title certificate issuance

$6.00
3Lien / Security Filing Fee

Unfinanced / cash purchase (waived $0.00)

$0.00
4Registration & Tag Fee

Base license plates & tags

$152.50

We email you this estimate and keep your address only for follow-ups about it. No newsletter, and no marketing unless you sign up for it separately. Privacy

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

Estimates only, not tax or legal advice. Verify with the Utah DMV or the Utah State Tax Commission.

Sales tax is based on the price you actually paid, at the combined rate (6.35% to 10.05%) where the vehicle will be registered. Utah has no family exemption.

Registration shown is the $72.50 registration fee ($73.25 for motorcycles) plus the 2026 uniform age-based fee, which replaces property tax. Some counties add a $10 corridor fee or a $2 to $3 air pollution control fee.

Electric vehicles pay a $180 road usage charge for 2026, rising to $280 on January 1, 2027. Plug-in hybrids pay at least $56.50, adjusted each year for inflation.

A trade lowers the price only for a vehicle-for-vehicle trade in the same transaction.

Utah’s electric and plug-in hybrid charges are added to the fee for vehicles other than motorcycles (Utah Code 41-1a-1206), so the estimate does not add them to a motorcycle.

County & Local Tax Note: Utah’s 4.85% state rate plus local taxes gives combined rates from 6.35% to 10.05% (October 2026). The rate is the one for where the vehicle will be registered.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this Utah DMV and Tax Commission process.

Yes. Utah Person to Person (UPP) handles in-state title transfers online.

Sources

Last verified: October 2026. Rules change, so check with Utah DMV and Tax Commission before you go.

More Utah guides

How to Gift a Car in UtahFamily sales are taxed, what counts as payment, and the paperwork.Titling a Car in Utah After Moving From Another StateThe 60-day deadline, VIN inspection, emissions, and fees.
Utah Private Party Car Tax Calculator