Cost of owning a new truck: insurance, registration, & license costs

[GoodSam]

I was not expecting the big hit for yearly registration and license costs here in California. Pickups are considered commercial vehicles, whereas SUVs as an regular automobile are not. I will be paying $993 this first year, of which I think $427 is for the license (MSRP * 0.65% tax deductible) part. A similar cost SUV or Auto is about $726. I guess I should take advantage of commercial loading zone parking? Registration is made up of several fees, for MSRP greater than $60K we have a transportation improvement fee of ~$196. And Calif Highway Patrol $27, etc, etc. All for worthy causes!

Insurance with State Farm, which we have safe driver, multi-vehicle, and multi-insurance deductions, will be another $986/year. Our 2017 Honda CR-V is $860/yr, so age & cost of vehicle not making that big of a difference.

Both costs will decease a bit in future years I expect, except for inflation pressures.

The Ford Protect Extended Service Plan of $1560 over 8 years is another insurance cost, but one use could balance that.

What are other states charging for fees and insurance? Should start a business that the vehicle can be written off against? Use a Montana LLC https://jalopnik.com/the-pitfalls-of-the-montana-license-plate-scam-1711216059 ?

The rebates of $7500 Fed, $2000 CA, $2000 EVSE install, $400 EVSE will all help relieve the pain.

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[ExCivilian]

You can avoid the commercial plate fee if you keep a shell topper on the truck.

My '05 RAM still costs roughly $700/yr to register and the crappy thing is it'll only get used half a dozen times a year now.

 

[Shady]

and to think most cars here in tx are $70 ish bucks a year to keep on the road.

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