What is Ohio TTL?
TTL stands for Tax, Title, and License – the three main components of vehicle registration costs in Ohio. These fees are mandatory for every vehicle purchase and transfer in the state.
Total TTL Cost = Sales Tax + Title Fees + Registration Fees + Plate Fees + Local Taxes
Our Ohio TTL calculator helps you estimate these costs before you visit the BMV, preventing surprises at the counter.
Ohio Sales Tax Breakdown
Ohio’s sales tax system is multi-layered, consisting of state, local, and sometimes transit taxes. Understanding this structure is crucial for accurate cost calculation.
State Sales Tax
Ohio imposes a flat 5.75% state sales tax on all vehicle purchases. This rate is consistent across all 88 counties.
Local Sales Tax
Local jurisdictions can add up to 2.25% in local sales tax, bringing the combined tax rate to a maximum of 8.0% in some areas.
| County | State Tax | Local Tax | Combined Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cuyahoga (Cleveland) | 5.75% | 2.25% | 8.0% |
| Franklin (Columbus) | 5.75% | 2.25% | 8.0% |
| Hamilton (Cincinnati) | 5.75% | 2.05% | 7.8% |
Taxable Amount Calculation
The sales tax applies to the vehicle’s purchase price with these adjustments:
- Trade-in credit: Trade-in value is subtracted (new vehicles only)
- Negative equity: Amount owed on trade-in is added to taxable price
- Dealer fees: Documentation fees are taxable
Taxable Amount = Purchase Price – Trade-in Value + Negative Equity + Taxable Fees
Ohio Title Fees
Ohio’s title fees are straightforward and consistent statewide:
| Title Service | Fee | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate of Title | $15.00 | Standard title issuance |
| Late Title Transfer | $5.00 | Transfer after 30 days |
| Out-of-State VIN Inspection | $8.00 | Required for out-of-state vehicles |
| Duplicate Title | $15.00 | Replacement title |
Source: Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles – Title Fees Schedule (2024-2025)
Registration Fees by Vehicle Type
Ohio uses a flat-rate system based on vehicle type, not weight. These are the official BMV rates for 2024-2025:
| Vehicle Type | Annual Fee | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Passenger Car | $31.00 | Standard passenger vehicle |
| Light Truck | $46.00 | Non-commercial truck ≤ 3/4 ton |
| Heavy Truck | $81.00 | Non-commercial truck > 3/4 – 1 ton |
| Motorcycle | $25.00 | Standard motorcycle |
| Moped | $21.00 | Moped/House vehicle |
| Motor Home | $46.00 | RV/Motor home |
Multi-Year Registration
Ohio allows registration for 1-5 years with fees multiplied accordingly:
- 1 Year: Base fee × 1
- 2 Years: Base fee × 2
- 3 Years: Base fee × 3
- 4 Years: Base fee × 4
- 5 Years: Base fee × 5
Deputy Registrar Fees
Deputy registrar offices charge processing fees based on registration length:
| Registration Period | Deputy Fee |
|---|---|
| 1 Year | $8.00 |
| 2 Years | $12.00 |
| 3 Years | $16.00 |
| 4 Years | $20.00 |
| 5 Years | $24.00 |
Source: Ohio BMV Deputy Registrar Fee Schedule (2024-2025)
Local Permissive Tax
Ohio counties levy an annual permissive vehicle tax ranging from $5 to $30 per vehicle. This tax funds local road maintenance and transportation projects.
| County | Annual Permissive Tax |
|---|---|
| Cuyahoga | $20.00 |
| Franklin | $20.00 |
| Hamilton | $20.00 |
| Summit | $15.00 |
| Most Other Counties | $5.00 – $15.00 |
Important: Permissive tax is prorated by 50% for registrations of 7 months or less.
Special Transit Taxes
Some Ohio cities have additional transit taxes for public transportation funding:
COTA Transit Tax (1.0%)
Central Ohio Transit Authority serves these areas with an additional 1% tax:
- Delaware County: Columbus, Westerville
- Fairfield County: Columbus, Reynoldsburg
- Licking County: Reynoldsburg
- Union County: Dublin
Rossford Transit Tax (0.5%)
City of Rossford in Wood County charges an additional 0.5% transit tax.
License Plate Fees
Standard license plates are included in registration fees. Special plates have additional costs:
| Plate Type | Fee | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | $0.00 | Included in registration |
| Temporary 45-Day Tag | $23.00 | One-time fee |
| Specialty Plates | $25.00 | Initial fee only |
| Personalized Plates | $25.00 | $50.00 annually |
| Military Plates | $0.00 | No additional charge |
| Handicap Plates | $0.00 | No additional charge |
| Restricted Farm Plate | $11.75 | Annual fee |
Dealer Documentation Fees
Ohio dealers charge documentation fees for processing paperwork, but these are capped by law:
Dealer Documentation Fee Cap: $387.00 (2024-2025)
Or 10% of vehicle purchase price, whichever is lower.
These fees are taxable and must be disclosed upfront. Our calculator includes them in the total cost but separates them from government TTL fees.
Tax Exemptions
Several exemptions can reduce or eliminate TTL costs:
Sales Tax Exemptions
- Nonresident Exemption: Out-of-state residents (Form STEC-NR required)
- Government Purchases: Federal, state, and local government vehicles
- Charitable Organizations: Qualified 501(c)(3) organizations
- Religious Organizations: Churches and religious institutions
- Farm Vehicles: Agricultural use vehicles (may qualify for exemption)
Permissive Tax Exemptions
The same exemptions apply to permissive taxes – government, charity, and nonresident purchases typically pay $0 permissive tax.
Real-World Calculation Examples
Example 1: Standard Car Purchase in Columbus
- Vehicle: 2022 Honda Accord
- Purchase Price: $25,000
- Location: Franklin County (Columbus)
- Registration: 1 year
Calculation:
- Sales Tax: $25,000 × 8.0% = $2,000
- Title Fee: $15.00
- Registration: $31.00
- Deputy Fee: $8.00
- Permissive Tax: $20.00
- Total TTL: $2,074.00
Example 2: Light Truck in Rural County
- Vehicle: 2023 Ford F-150
- Purchase Price: $35,000
- Location: Rural County (6.75% tax rate)
- Registration: 2 years
Calculation:
- Sales Tax: $35,000 × 6.75% = $2,362.50
- Title Fee: $15.00
- Registration: $46.00 × 2 = $92.00
- Deputy Fee: $12.00
- Permissive Tax: $10.00 × 2 = $20.00
- Total TTL: $2,501.50
How Our Ohio TTL Calculator Works
Our calculator uses official BMV fee schedules and tax rates to provide accurate estimates. Here’s the step-by-step process:
Step 1: Vehicle Information Input
You enter:
- Vehicle type (passenger, truck, motorcycle, etc.)
- Purchase price
- Trade-in value (if applicable)
- County/city location
- Registration period (1-5 years)
Step 2: Tax Rate Determination
The calculator identifies:
- State tax rate (5.75%)
- Local tax rate based on county
- Special transit taxes (COTA, Rossford)
- Combined tax rate
Step 3: Fee Calculation
Using official BMV rates:
- Base registration fee by vehicle type
- Deputy registrar fee by years
- Permissive tax by district
- Title fees
- Plate fees (if special plates)
Step 4: Total Computation
Total TTL Cost = (Taxable Amount × Combined Tax Rate) + Title Fees + Registration Fees + Deputy Fees + Permissive Tax + Plate Fees
Step 5: Results Display
The calculator provides a detailed breakdown showing:
- Sales tax (state and local components)
- All government fees
- Dealer fees (if applicable)
- Total cost estimate
Authoritative Sources & References
Our calculator is built using official Ohio government sources to ensure accuracy and authority:
Primary Government Sources
Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV)
• Official BMV Fee Schedule (2024-2025)
• Vehicle Registration Fee Structure
• Title Fee Regulations
Source: bmv.ohio.gov
Ohio Department of Taxation
• Sales Tax Rate Finder Database
• County Tax Rate Tables
• Permissive Tax Guidelines
Source: tax.ohio.gov/thefinder
Ohio Revised Code
• ORC 4503.01 – Vehicle Registration Fees
• ORC 4503.02 – Registration Fee Schedule
• ORC 5739.02 – Sales Tax Rates
Source: codes.ohio.gov
Supporting Documentation
Ohio Administrative Code
• OAC 4501:1-1-18 – Deputy Registrar Fees
• OAC 5703-9-30 – Sales Tax Collection
Source: codes.ohio.gov/ohio-administrative-code
County Auditor Associations
• County Fee Schedules
• Permissive Tax Rates by District
Source: Various County Auditor Websites
Industry References
Avalara Tax Research
• Ohio Sales Tax Compliance Guide
• Vehicle Taxation Rules
Source: avalara.com
National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA)
• Ohio Dealer Fee Guidelines
• Documentation Fee Regulations
Source: nada.org
Why These Sources Matter
Using official government sources ensures our calculator reflects actual BMV rates and tax laws, not estimates or outdated information. This authority means you can trust the calculations for budgeting and financial planning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are the calculator results guaranteed to be exact?
A: Our calculator uses official BMV rates, but actual costs may vary slightly due to processing fees, rounding, or specific circumstances. Always verify final costs with your local BMV office.
Q: Do I need to pay TTL fees if I’m buying from a private seller?
A: Yes, TTL fees apply to all vehicle transfers regardless of seller type. Private sales require you to pay taxes at the BMV when registering.
Q: Can I register my vehicle for more than 5 years?
A: No, Ohio limits multi-year registration to maximum 5 years.
Q: What if my county isn’t listed in the calculator?
A: Our calculator includes all 88 Ohio counties with their correct tax rates. If you can’t find your county, contact us for assistance.
Q: Are military personnel exempt from Ohio TTL fees?
A: Military personnel may qualify for exemptions if they’re nonresidents stationed in Ohio. Check with your local BMV office for specific requirements.
Conclusion
Understanding Ohio’s TTL costs doesn’t have to be complicated. Our calculator, built with official BMV rates and tax schedules, provides accurate estimates to help you budget for your vehicle purchase. By using authoritative government sources and current fee structures, we ensure you have reliable information for one of life’s significant purchases.
Remember that while our calculator provides excellent estimates, always verify final costs with your local Ohio BMV office, as fees and regulations can change. Use this tool as your planning resource, but confirm with official sources when completing your transaction.
Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates based on current Ohio BMV and Department of Taxation fee schedules. Actual costs may vary based on specific circumstances, processing fees, or regulatory changes. Always verify final costs with your local BMV office or official Ohio government sources.