All Star Driver Education wants to prepare teens for the purchase of their first car. That seems like the next step after passing the driving test and obtaining a shiny new state license. Most first cars a teen can afford will be used and maybe even passed down from another family member. Before they get on the road, the car will need to be registered at the SOS in Michigan. Teens registering for the first time in Michigan are likely unaware of the state’s vehicle registration and plate fees.
The Michigan registration fee depends on a variety of factors, including the vehicle’s type, model, year, and title history (whether the vehicle was previously owned). The biggest factor of all is the vehicle’s MSRP, or Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price. If this information isn’t provided as a base price on the title paperwork for the car, it can be found online from a list of dealership prices or through Michigan’s Secretary of State office.
There are ways to get an estimate of what the final fee might look like. One state website that uses the information listed above (along with additional factors outside of MSRP) to calculate the amount you will need, can be found here. This registration fee will need to be paid each year, usually on your birthday.
This calculation is very different from other states, such as Ohio, where a vehicle, excluding personalization and initial reserve, is $34.50. That’s it! The same cost of filling up your gas tank. Most states have this flat fee.
