I am a resident of New Hampshire with a 20-year-old vehicle that has surpassed 356,000 miles. I purchased this vehicle back in 2006 for $33,000. However, each year during the registration process, the fees are calculated based on the original purchase price instead of the vehicle’s current fair market value. This discrepancy results in inflated and unreasonable registration costs, disconnecting fee calculations from the actual depreciated value. This issue not only affects me but also countless other individuals who own older vehicles in New Hampshire.

New Hampshire’s current system for calculating vehicle registration fees unfairly burdens residents by tethering fees to the original purchase price rather than the present market value. Given the natural depreciation of vehicles over time, this method does not reflect the real worth of older vehicles, resulting in unnecessarily high fees. According to Kelley Blue Book, vehicles typically depreciate by about 60% after five years, and yet, vehicles much older than this continue to be subjected to inflated fees.

Residents of New Hampshire deserve a fair and equitable system where vehicle registration fees reflect the actual market value of their vehicles. A reformed registration fee system not only aligns with the principle of fairness but also provides economic relief to citizens who maintain older, high-mileage vehicles. A formula that considers age, mileage, and current market conditions would more accurately represent the vehicle's worth and ensure fees are proportionate.

I propose that the New Hampshire Department of Motor Vehicles adopt a new method of calculating fees, one that incorporates valuation resources such as Kelley Blue Book or the National Automobile Dealers Association guides to determine fair market value at the time of registration.

Please join me in urging the New Hampshire Department of Motor Vehicles to reform vehicle registration fee calculations. By signing this petition, you advocate for a more just and truthful system that mirrors the economic realities faced by vehicle owners. Stand with me and demand change to benefit all of us who depend on fair vehicle ownership costs. Sign now to make a difference.