Buying in Burnsville, Eagan, Apple Valley, Lakeville, Inver Grove Heights, or Hastings means Minnesota’s statewide motor vehicle sales tax of 6.875%—local 297A sales tax does not stack on titled motor vehicles—plus Dakota County’s $20 vehicle excise on retail sales in the county and a $10 wheelage tax at registration in 2026. On a $38,000 dealer purchase, MVST alone is $2,612.50 before the $20 excise, title package fees, registration tax on MSRP, and wheelage. Confirm MVST and the $20 excise with the Minnesota DOR motor vehicle sales guide and vehicle excise tax guide, and wheelage with DPS wheelage tax.
How much is vehicle tax / registration in Dakota County?
Minnesota MVST is 6.875% of the taxable price statewide. Dakota County adds two separate county pieces: a $20 vehicle excise collected on retail motor-vehicle sales that occur in the county (effective since October 1, 2017), and a wheelage tax due when you register a vehicle kept in Dakota County—$10 for 2026 registration periods, rising to $20 for registration periods beginning January 1, 2027. Motorcycles, mopeds, and trailers are exempt from wheelage.
$38,000 Dakota dealer retail sale — tax lines
Same price — do not add local 297A
Step-by-step formula
- Taxable price = purchase price − trade − fixed rebates (per DOR MVST rules).
- MVST = taxable × 0.06875.
- Dakota retail excise = $20 if the sale is a retail motor-vehicle sale in Dakota County; otherwise $0 (private non-retail sellers may not collect it).
- Title package (typical DVS stack) ≈ $51.50 ($8.25+$12+$2.25+$3.50+$10+$15.50), plus about $2 if a lien is recorded.
- Registration tax ≈ $10 + 1.575% × MSRP × year-of-life % (post–November 16, 2020 passenger path).
- Wheelage = $10 (2026) or $20 (periods beginning 2027-01-01) for qualifying vehicles kept in Dakota.
- BEV/PHEV surcharges follow §168.013—confirm the greater-of rules on the live DVS materials (example: year-1 BEV on $38k MSRP can land near $608.50 reg tax plus a BEV surcharge of the greater of $150 or 0.5%×MSRP).
Step math — $25,000 retail in Dakota (2026)
Step math — renewal period beginning 2027
Trade-in / dealer vs private
Dealer retail sales in Dakota collect MVST and the $20 county excise. Private-party transfers still face MVST on the taxable price when you title, but the $20 excise is aimed at persons in the retail business of selling new/used motor vehicles when the sale occurs in Dakota County—ask DOR if your private deal is outside that path. Trade-ins follow DOR base-reduction rules; financing does not change MVST (a G.19 7.14% APR figure is payment illustration only).
Dealer $38,000 with $8,000 trade
Private $22,000
Local / county — $20 excise and wheelage
There is no local 297A percentage on titled motor vehicles. Dakota’s local overlays are the flat $20 retail excise (sale location in the county) and wheelage at registration for vehicles kept in the county. Burnsville, Eagan, Apple Valley, Lakeville, Inver Grove Heights, and Hastings share the same county wheelage and $20 excise rules—no separate city MVST rate.
Local lines on a Dakota retail sale
Wheelage 2026 vs 2027+
Title and registration fees
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| MVST | 6.875% |
| Dakota retail vehicle excise | $20 |
| Wheelage (2026) | $10 |
| Wheelage (2027+ periods) | $20 |
| Typical title package | ~$51.50 |
| Lien add (approx.) | +$2 |
| Registration tax | $10 + 1.575%×MSRP×YoL% |
Title package illustration
Registration tax sketch (year-1 style)
Complete worked example
$38,000 ICE dealer sale in Dakota County (2026)
Same owner renewal in 2026
Gifts, out-of-state, renewals
Gifts between spouses, parent-child, or grandparent-grandchild can bring MVST to $0 when they qualify. Inheritance often has $0 MVST. New residents who owned the vehicle more than 60 days before moving typically owe $0 MVST. Title fees, registration tax, and wheelage can still apply. Military relief only when a published path fits. Renewals: registration tax + wheelage—no new MVST.
Qualifying family gift
New resident owned >60 days
FAQ
Is there a local sales-tax percent on my car in Dakota?
No local 297A on titled motor vehicles. Use 6.875% MVST plus the flat $20 retail excise when it applies.
Who pays the $20 excise?
It applies to retail motor-vehicle sales in Dakota County (dealer path). Confirm private sales with DOR.
Does wheelage stay $10 forever?
No. DPS posts $10 as of 2026 and $20 for registration periods beginning January 1, 2027.
Do cities like Eagan add another wheelage?
County wheelage/$20 excise rules apply across the listed Dakota cities—no separate city MVST percent.
What is registration tax based on?
For the post–November 16, 2020 passenger path, roughly $10 plus 1.575% of MSRP times the year-of-life percentage—ask DVS to confirm your vehicle’s bracket.
Are motorcycles charged wheelage?
Motorcycles, mopeds, and trailers are exempt from Dakota wheelage on the DPS table.
Does moving out of Dakota refund wheelage?
No. DPS notes wheelage is not refunded if you later move the vehicle.
What to bring
Bring the bill of sale, trade documents, insurance, photo ID, and—if the car is from another state—proof of prior tax paid. For a Dakota retail dealer purchase, expect MVST plus the $20 county excise on the deal paperwork. At registration, budget the title package, MSRP-based registration tax, and $10 wheelage in 2026 ($20 for periods beginning in 2027). Keep stamped receipts from DVS.
Conclusion
Dakota County’s buyer cost is statewide MVST plus two published county flats—retail excise and wheelage—on top of DVS title and registration tax. Use the worked lines above, then confirm totals at the linked DOR and DPS pages.
This page estimates Dakota County vehicle tax and fees from published Minnesota Department of Revenue and DPS Driver and Vehicle Services figures. Final amounts are set by DOR and DPS DVS at titling and registration.