Buying a car in Wyoming involves more than just the sticker price. Before you drive off the lot — or shake hands on a private sale — you’ll owe the state a combination of sales tax, title fees, and registration charges that can easily add $1,500 or more to your total cost. This guide walks you through every piece of the Wyoming TTL calculator, step by step, so there are no surprises.
The Wyoming Department of Revenue, the Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT), and Wyoming Statutes Title 39 govern every fee and tax described here. The grand total you’ll owe is the sum of five components:
Grand Total = Sales/Use Tax + Title Fees + Registration Fees + EV/Alternative Fuel Fees + Dealer Documentation Fee
Let’s break down each one.
Component 1: Sales & Use Tax
Wyoming imposes a 4% state sales tax on all vehicle purchases, according to Wyoming Statutes §39-15. On top of that, your county or locality may add a surtax of up to 5%, bringing the maximum possible combined rate to 9% in resort districts. The calculator determines the exact rate based on where you live — not where you buy the car.
Step 1A: What Gets Taxed?
The amount the tax is calculated on — called the “taxable base” — depends on how you acquired the vehicle.
| How You Got the Vehicle | What Gets Taxed |
|---|---|
| Dealer sale | Purchase price minus any trade-in allowance |
| Private party sale | Fair Market Value (FMV) — not the price on the bill of sale |
| Purchased out-of-state | The purchase price (Wyoming use tax applies) |
| Gift | Fair Market Value — unless you can prove Wyoming tax was already paid |
| Gift (with proof of prior WY tax) | $0 — fully exempt |
Why Fair Market Value for private sales? Wyoming law taxes the vehicle’s actual market value on private transfers, not whatever number appears on a handwritten bill of sale. This prevents buyers and sellers from artificially lowballing the stated price to minimize taxes — a practice the Wyoming Department of Revenue specifically guards against.
Step 1B: Your Combined Tax Rate
The combined rate is your county’s local surtax added to Wyoming’s fixed 4% state rate. Here are a few common examples:
| Location | State Rate | Local Rate | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park County | 4% | 0% | 4% |
| Campbell County | 4% | 1% | 5% |
| Laramie County (Cheyenne) | 4% | 2% | 6% |
| Teton County | 4% | 3% | 7% |
| Teton Village Resort District | 4% | 5% | 9% |
Step 1C: Calculating the Tax
Once you know the taxable base and the combined rate, the math is simple multiplication.
Example 1 — Dealer Sale in Laramie County
You buy a car from a dealership for $30,000 and trade in your old vehicle for $5,000. You live in Laramie County (6% combined rate).
Taxable base: $30,000 − $5,000 = $25,000
Tax: $25,000 × 6% = Sales Tax = $1,500.00
Example 2 — Private Party Sale in Teton County
You buy a used SUV from your neighbor for $8,000, but its Fair Market Value according to standard valuation guides is $12,000. You live in Teton County (7% combined rate). Wyoming taxes the FMV, not your agreed price.
Taxable base: $12,000 (FMV)
Tax: $12,000 × 7% = Sales Tax = $840.00
Step 1D: Out-of-State Tax Credit
If you bought the vehicle in another state and already paid sales tax there, Wyoming gives you a dollar-for-dollar credit — up to the amount of Wyoming tax owed. You won’t be double-taxed, but if Wyoming’s rate is higher, you’ll owe the difference.
Example 1 — Partial Credit
Wyoming use tax owed: $1,200. Tax paid in Colorado: $800.
Credit applied: $800 (the lesser amount)
Wyoming tax still owed: $1,200 − $800 = Net Tax = $400.00
Example 2 — Full Credit (no Wyoming tax owed)
Wyoming use tax owed: $900. Tax paid in California: $1,050.
Credit applied: $900 (capped at Wyoming amount)
Wyoming tax still owed: Net Tax = $0.00
Step 1E: The 65-Day Rule & Late Penalties
Wyoming law requires the sales or use tax to be paid within 65 days of the vehicle purchase date. If you miss that window, two penalties kick in simultaneously, as established under Wyoming Statutes Title 39.
Penalty 1 — Monthly Interest: 1% of your net tax for every month (or partial month) you’re late. Partial months count as full months.
Penalty 2 — Civil Penalty: 10% of your net tax, or $25, whichever is greater.
Example 1 — Slightly Late (80 days after purchase)
Net tax owed: $1,440. Days past the 65-day deadline: 15. Since 15 days is less than 30, that counts as 1 month late.
Monthly interest: $1,440 × 1% × 1 month = $14.40
Civil penalty: the greater of $25 or $1,440 × 10% = $144.00
Total Tax with Penalties = $1,440 + $14.40 + $144 = $1,598.40
Example 2 — Very Late (120 days after purchase)
Net tax owed: $1,200. Days past the deadline: 55. That’s 2 months (rounded up).
Monthly interest: $1,200 × 1% × 2 months = $24.00
Civil penalty: the greater of $25 or $1,200 × 10% = $120.00
Total Tax with Penalties = $1,200 + $24 + $120 = $1,344.00
Component 2: Title Fees
Title fees are straightforward flat amounts set by Wyoming statute — no complex math involved. The Wyoming Certificate of Title itself costs a flat $15. Two additional charges may apply depending on your situation.
| Fee | Amount | When It Applies |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate of Title | $15.00 | Always — every transaction |
| VIN Inspection | $10.00 | Only if the vehicle is currently titled in another state |
| Lien Recording / Assignment | $20.00 | Only if you’re financing (a lender holds a lien) |
Example 1 — Cash Purchase of a Wyoming-titled Vehicle
You buy a used truck that’s already titled in Wyoming and you’re paying cash — no loan.
Title Fees = $15.00
Example 2 — Financed Purchase of an Out-of-State Vehicle
You buy a car previously titled in Colorado and take out a loan to finance it.
Certificate of Title: $15 + VIN Inspection: $10 + Lien Recording: $20
Title Fees = $45.00
Component 3: Registration Fees
Wyoming’s registration fees have two separate parts: a County Ad Valorem Fee (which goes to your county) and a State Fee (which goes to WYDOT). The formulas are set in state law and apply uniformly across all 23 counties — only the sales tax rate varies by county.
The County Ad Valorem Fee
This fee is based on your vehicle’s original factory price (MSRP) — not what you paid for it used — multiplied by a depreciation percentage that decreases as the vehicle ages, and then multiplied by 3%. The depreciation schedule is fixed by Wyoming law:
| Year of Service | Depreciation Rate |
|---|---|
| Year 1 (brand new) | 60% |
| Year 2 | 50% |
| Year 3 | 40% |
| Year 4 | 30% |
| Year 5 | 20% |
| Year 6 and beyond | 15% (stays here permanently) |
To find your year of service: subtract the model year from the current year, then add 1. For example, a 2022 vehicle in 2026 is in its 5th year of service.
Important: The county fee uses the vehicle’s original factory MSRP — not what you paid for it on the used market. A $40,000 MSRP vehicle still calculates as $40,000 even if you bought it secondhand for $22,000.
Example 1 — Brand New 2025 Vehicle, MSRP $45,000
This is a Year 1 vehicle, so the depreciation rate is 60%.
County fee: $45,000 × 60% × 3% = $45,000 × 0.60 × 0.03
County Ad Valorem Fee = $810.00
Example 2 — 2019 Vehicle (6+ Years Old), MSRP $35,000
A 2019 vehicle in 2026 is in its 8th year of service — so it’s in the “Year 6+” bracket at 15%.
County fee: $35,000 × 15% × 3% = $35,000 × 0.15 × 0.03
County Ad Valorem Fee = $157.50
The State Registration Fee
The state fee is a flat amount based on your vehicle type. Passenger cars pay a flat $30 per year, motorcycles pay $25 per year. Trucks and trailers are charged based on Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW). These fees were doubled by Wyoming legislation in 2017 (cars went from $15 to $30, for example).
| Gross Vehicle Weight | Annual State Fee |
|---|---|
| 0 – 1,000 lbs | $5 |
| 1,001 – 3,500 lbs | $30 |
| 3,501 – 4,500 lbs | $40 |
| 4,501 – 5,500 lbs | $50 |
| 5,501 – 6,000 lbs | $70 |
| Over 6,000 lbs | $90 |
Example 1 — Passenger Car Registration
A 2022 passenger car, MSRP $40,000, registering in 2026 (5th year of service → 20% rate).
County fee: $40,000 × 20% × 3% = $240.00
State fee: $30.00 (flat for all passenger cars)
Total Registration Fee = $270.00
Example 2 — Heavy Pickup Truck (GVW 6,500 lbs)
A 2023 truck, MSRP $55,000, registering in 2026 (4th year of service → 30% rate).
County fee: $55,000 × 30% × 3% = $495.00
State fee: $90.00 (over 6,000 lbs)
Total Registration Fee = $585.00
Special Case: Permanent Registration for Light Trailers
Trailers weighing 1,000 lbs or less (GVW) can opt out of annual registration forever by paying a one-time fee. If the trailer is less than 6 years old, the fee is $350. If it’s 6 years or older, the fee drops to $200. No county or state annual fees apply after that — ever.
Component 4: EV & Alternative Fuel Fees
Because electric and plug-in vehicles don’t pay fuel taxes at the pump, Wyoming enacted legislation in 2019 requiring battery electric vehicle (BEV) owners to pay an annual $200 decal fee in lieu of those fuel taxes. This fee is charged every year at registration time.
As of 2025, a proposed bill would add a $100 per year fee for plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs), but this has not yet been signed into law. Always verify current legislation before finalizing your calculations.
| Vehicle Type | Annual Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) | $200/year | Current law — enacted 2019 |
| Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV) | $100/year | Proposed 2025 bill — not yet law |
| Non-plug-in hybrid | $0 | No extra fee as of 2023 |
| Gasoline / Diesel | $0 | No extra fee |
Example 1 — Battery Electric Passenger Car
You register a Tesla Model 3 in Laramie County. You pay the standard $30 state fee for passenger cars plus the EV decal fee.
EV Fee = $200.00 (in addition to other registration fees)
Example 2 — Battery Electric Truck (GVW 7,000 lbs)
An electric pickup truck over 6,000 lbs. Weight-based state fee applies, plus the EV decal.
State fee: $90.00 (over 6,000 lbs) + EV fee: $200.00
EV Fee = $200.00 added to registration total
Component 5: Dealer Documentation Fee
This fee is not set by Wyoming law — it’s whatever the dealership charges for processing paperwork. In Wyoming, dealer doc fees typically range from $100 to $400. The calculator simply adds this amount to your total as a pass-through. For private-party sales, there is no doc fee.
Putting It All Together: A Full Worked Example
Here’s a complete real-world scenario so you can see how all five components come together.
Scenario: You bought a used 2021 gasoline passenger car from a dealer in Laramie County 80 days ago for $28,000. You traded in your old car for $4,000. The car’s original MSRP was $35,000. The vehicle was previously titled in Colorado, and you financed the purchase. You’re calculating in 2026.
Step 1: Sales Tax (with late penalty)
Taxable base: $28,000 − $4,000 = $24,000. Laramie County rate: 6%.
Gross tax: $24,000 × 6% = $1,440. No out-of-state credit (no tax paid in Colorado on this car).
It’s been 80 days — 15 days past the 65-day deadline. That’s 1 month late (partial months round up).
Monthly interest: $1,440 × 1% × 1 = $14.40. Civil penalty: greater of $25 or $144 = $144.
Sales tax total: $1,440 + $14.40 + $144 = $1,598.40
Step 2: Title Fees
Base title ($15) + VIN inspection since it’s from Colorado ($10) + lien recording since it’s financed ($20) = $45.00
Step 3: Registration Fees
Year of service: (2026 − 2021) + 1 = 6th year → 15% depreciation rate.
County fee: $35,000 × 15% × 3% = $157.50. State fee: $30 (passenger car). Total: $187.50
Step 4: EV Fees
Gasoline vehicle → $0
Grand Total Breakdown
Sales/Use Tax (with late penalties)$1,598.40
Title Fees$45.00
Registration Fees$187.50
EV / Alternative Fuel Fees$0.00
Dealer Doc FeeNot applicable
Grand Total$1,830.90
Key Rules to Remember
Dealer sales are taxed on purchase price minus trade-in. Private sales are taxed on Fair Market Value regardless of the negotiated price. Gifts are taxed on FMV unless you can show proof that Wyoming tax was already paid on the vehicle. Out-of-state buyers owe Wyoming use tax but get a credit for whatever they paid in the other state. The 65-day clock starts the day you take possession — don’t wait. And remember that registration fees always use original MSRP, not the used market price.
Wyoming does not have any emissions testing requirements, so there are no smog check fees to worry about. And as of 2024, Wyoming law (HB0023) now permits electronic registration certificates, so your paperwork process has gotten a little simpler.
Sources & References
- Wyoming Department of Revenue — Sales Tax Division. Official county-by-county sales tax rate tables. Governs the 4% state rate and all local surtaxes. Wyoming Statutes §39-15 et seq.
- Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) — Motor Vehicle Services. Official source for title fee schedules, registration fee structures, and state fee amounts. wydot.state.wy.us
- Wyoming Statutes Title 39 — Taxation and Revenue. The governing statutory framework for sales tax, use tax, penalties, and exemptions on vehicle transfers in Wyoming.
- Wyoming Statutes §31-3 — Registration and Licensing of Vehicles. Authorizes the county ad valorem registration fee formula (MSRP × year rate × 3%) and state flat fees.
- Laramie County Treasurer’s Office. County-level guidance on TTL procedures, local surtax collection, and title processing. laramiecounty.com
- Natrona County Treasurer’s Office. Local guidance on registration procedures for Casper-area residents. natronacounty-wy.gov
- Wyoming Senate File 0115 (2019) — Electric Vehicle Decal Fee Act. The legislation that established the $200 annual BEV decal fee in lieu of fuel taxes, effective 2019.
- Wyoming House Bill 0023 (2024) — Electronic Registration Certificates. Permits digital/electronic issuance of vehicle registration certificates.
- Wyoming Legislature — 2025 Session Bills. Pending legislation that would establish a $100/year fee on plug-in hybrid (PHEV) vehicles. Status should be verified before use. wyoleg.gov
- Wyoming Department of Revenue — Depreciation Schedule for Ad Valorem Fees. Official publication of the year-of-service depreciation percentages used in the county registration fee calculation.
This guide is for informational purposes only. Always verify current rates with the Wyoming Department of Revenue, WYDOT, or your county treasurer before completing a vehicle transaction. Rates and laws are subject to change by the Wyoming Legislature.