State 2017 IMPROVE Act Increases Vehicle Registration Fees To Fund Road And Bridge Projects

The 2017 IMPROVE Act was signed into law funding 1,000 road and bridge projects across Tennessee’s 95 counties. In order to fund the improvements one portion of the plan calls for an increase in certain vehicle registration fees. 100% of the increase goes to the state highway fund.

The IMPROVE Act also reduced various taxes in other areas of State Law that do not relate to the County Clerk’s office.

Vehicle Registration increases effective July 1, 2017:

  • Personal vehicles (standard, disabled, military, motorcycle, specialty) will increase by $5.
  • Commercial vehicles (buses, limos, taxis) will increase by $10.
  • Freight motor vehicles (commercial vehicles, semis, tractor trailers) will increase by $20.
  • 100% electric vehicles will increase by $100.

The increase in registration fees is in addition to the current state fee. This fee increase is from the state level and is not an increase by the County Clerk’s office or County Commission. Any purchase postmarked or received on or after July 1, 2017 will be subject to these new fees. As always, the staff of the County Clerk’s office appreciates the public’s understanding as we are only the collection arm of this increase and have no control over it.

Additionally, Tennessee residents will have the opportunity to choose between two different license plates for the standard fee when registering their vehicle beginning July 1, 2017. A new plate has been approved that has the standard “Green Mountain” backdrop, but contains the inscription “In God We Trust”. The standard “Green Mountain” plate will continue to be available for purchase as well. Customers wishing to change to the “Green Mountain-In God We Trust” design from a standard “Green Mountain” plate may do so for an additional fee of $3.00 at the time of their renewal. I have attached a picture of the new plate for your review. These plates will be available for purchase on July 1, 2017.