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Home Legal Documents Bill of Sale Vehicle

Free Vehicle Bill of Sale

Use our Vehicle Bill of Sale to record the sale of a vehicle and protect both buyer and seller.

Published September 8, 2020

A vehicle bill of sale is a legal document used to transfer ownership of a motor vehicle from one person to another. Most commonly used for a car, a bill of sale proves that a sale took place, and in many US states, is required to register a vehicle at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

You’ll also see a vehicle bill of sale referred to as a car bill of sale, an automobile bill of sale, an auto bill of sale, an auto purchase agreement, a car contract, a car purchase agreement, a DMV bill of sale, and a vehicle sale receipt.

Use our free fillable vehicle bill of sale template to easily buy or sell a car, or find your vehicle bill of sale by state below.

Table of Contents:

  1. Why Do I Need a Vehicle Bill of Sale?
  2. How to Use a Vehicle Bill of Sale [For Buying or Selling a Car]
  3. State DMV Locations and Bill of Sale Forms
  4. Vehicle Bill of Sale Template

Why Do I Need a Vehicle Bill of Sale?

You need a bill of sale when buying or selling a vehicle privately to prove that the vehicle was transferred to its new owner. A vehicle bill of sale works much like a receipt, and is typically required for tax purposes, to get insurance, and to register the vehicle at the DMV.

A vehicle bill of sale also protects the buyer and seller from future disagreements over the vehicle’s condition or ownership.

Because a bill of sale describes the vehicle’s exact condition at the time of sale, the buyer cannot later dispute any damage and demand a refund. Furthermore, if the new owner of the vehicle is involved in an accident or gets a speeding ticket, the seller can use the bill of sale to show that the vehicle is no longer theirs and they are not liable.

Although a vehicle bill of sale proves the transaction took place, it’s not always considered proof of ownership. The vehicle’s certificate of title states the vehicle’s legal owner, and also needs to be transferred at the time of the sale.

How to Use a Vehicle Bill of Sale [For Buying or Selling a Car]

Follow the steps below to learn how to write a bill of sale for a car, so you can buy or sell a vehicle. Typically, it is the seller’s responsibility to provide the vehicle bill of sale form.

Step 1 – Negotiate the Terms of the Sale

To enter the agreement, both parties need to decide on a payment method and any conditions of the sale, such as a warranty or financing. If a warranty is not included, the vehicle is sold “as-is,” with the buyer accepting any faults or damage that exist at the time of sale.

Step 2 – Fill Out the Vehicle Bill of Sale

The buyer and seller need to fill out their contact information on the vehicle bill of sale, in addition to the following sections (which vary by state):

  • Model
  • Make
  • Year
  • Price
  • Body style
  • Vehicle condition
  • Whether sales tax is included
  • Warranty information (if applicable)
  • Payment type
  • Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
  • Odometer disclosure statement

Vehicle Identification Number (VIN): The VIN is a unique 17 character code used to track the vehicle’s registration, and whether it is ever stolen or involved in an accident. You can find your car’s VIN on the driver’s side windshield or inside the driver’s side door. It’s also written on the vehicle’s certificate of title.

Odometer disclosure statement: Federal law requires that a vehicle’s mileage (measured by the vehicle’s odometer) is provided and verified by the seller when the vehicle is transferred or sold. This statement can be part of the vehicle bill of sale, or submitted as an additional document in some states. After filling out the mileage, the seller states whether the mileage is accurate, or if there is a discrepancy caused by the odometer.

Step 3 – Gather Related Documents

Before the sale is finalized, the seller provides the certificate of title (the “pink slip”) to the buyer. If the seller doesn’t have the certificate of title, the buyer can request a new one from the DMV. This usually takes 10–14 working days and costs around $20 (depending on the state and vehicle).

It’s also recommended that the buyer obtain a copy of the seller’s photo ID to check that their information is the same across all documents and that they can legally sell the vehicle.

Step 4 – Complete the Sale (and Notarize Bill of Sale if Applicable)

To complete the sale, both parties sign and date the vehicle bill of sale and keep a copy for their records.

Usually, a bill of sale doesn’t need to be notarized (authenticated) by an official legal representative to be valid. However, a vehicle bill of sale does need to be notarized in the following states:

  • Louisiana
  • Maryland
  • Montana
  • Nebraska
  • West Virginia

Finally, the seller gives possession of the vehicle in exchange for the payment and transfers the certificate of title.

Step 5 – Register the Car at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)

The buyer typically has 10 days to register the vehicle at the DMV. To complete the registration, they need to bring the completed vehicle bill of sale, the certificate of title, proof of insurance, a valid ID (passport or driver’s license), and any applicable state fees. Some states also require an emissions test.

State DMV Locations and Bill of Sale Forms

State DMV Location Is a Vehicle Bill of Sale Required? Vehicle Bill of Sale Form
Alabama (AL) Alabama Vehicle Licensing Offices Yes Alabama Bill of Sale
Alaska (AK) Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Offices No Alaska Bill of Sale
Arizona (AZ) Arizona Motor Vehicles Division (MVD) Locations No Arizona Bill of Sale
Arkansas (AR) Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) Office Locations Yes Arkansas Bill of Sale
California (CA) California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Field Offices No California Bill of Sale
Colorado (CO) Colorado County Motor Vehicle Offices Yes Colorado Bill of Sale
Connecticut (CT) Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Offices Yes Connecticut Bill of Sale
Delaware (DE) Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Contact and Location Information No Delaware Bill of Sale
District of Columbia (DC) District of Columbia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Locations No District of Columbia Bill of Sale
Florida (FL) Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Office Locations No Florida Bill of Sale
Georgia (GA) Georgia County Tag Office Locations Yes Georgia Bill of Sale
Hawaii (HI) Hawaii Vehicle Licensing and Registration Division Locations Yes Hawaii Bill of Sale
Idaho (ID) Idaho Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Locations No Idaho Bill of Sale
Illinois (IL) Illinois Drivers Service Facility Locations Yes Illinois Bill of Sale
Indiana (IN) Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) Branch Map No Indiana Bill of Sale
Iowa (IA) Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) Locations Yes Iowa Bill of Sale
Kansas (KS) Kansas County Treasurers Association Location Directory Yes Kansas Bill of Sale
Kentucky (KY) Kentucky Driver Services Offices No Kentucky Bill of Sale
Louisiana (LA) Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) Locations No Louisiana Bill of Sale
Maine (ME) Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) Locations Yes Maine Bill of Sale
Maryland (MD) Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) Locations Yes Maryland Bill of Sale
Massachusetts (MA) Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) Locations Yes Massachusetts Bill of Sale
Michigan (MI) Michigan Secretary of State (SOS) Office Locator Yes Michigan Bill of Sale
Minnesota (MN) Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services Office Locations No Minnesota Bill of Sale
Mississippi (MS) Mississippi Department of Public Safety (DPS) Contact Information Yes Mississippi Bill of Sale
Missouri (MO) Missouri Department of Revenue (DOR) Motor Vehicle and Driver License Office Locations Yes Missouri Bill of Sale
Montana (MT) Montana Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) Locations Yes Montana Bill of Sale
Nebraska (NE) Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) County Locations Yes Nebraska Bill of Sale
Nevada (NV) Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Office Locations Yes Nevada Bill of Sale
New Hampshire (NH) New Hampshire Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Locations Yes New Hampshire Bill of Sale
New Jersey (NJ) New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) Facility Locations No New Jersey Bill of Sale
New Mexico (NM) New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) Locations Yes New Mexico Bill of Sale
New York (NY) New York Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Office Locations Yes New York Bill of Sale
North Carolina (NC) North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Office Locations No North Carolina Bill of Sale
North Dakota (ND) North Dakota Motor Vehicle Site Locations No North Dakota Bill of Sale
Ohio (OH) Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) Locations Yes Ohio Bill of Sale
Oklahoma (OK) Oklahoma Department of Public Safety (DPS) Locations Yes Oklahoma Bill of Sale
Oregon (OR) Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Locations No Oregon Bill of Sale
Pennsylvania (PA) Pennsylvania Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Locations No Pennsylvania Bill of Sale
Rhode Island (RI) Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Locations Yes Rhode Island Bill of Sale
South Carolina (SC) South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Locations No South Carolina Bill of Sale
South Dakota (SD) South Dakota County Treasurers Contact Information Yes South Dakota Bill of Sale
Tennessee (TN) Tennessee Drivers Services Locations No Tennessee Bill of Sale
Texas (TX) Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Contact Information Yes Texas Bill of Sale
Utah (UT) Utah Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Office Locations Yes Utah Bill of Sale
Vermont (VT) Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Locations Yes Vermont Bill of Sale
Virginia (VA) Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Locations No Virginia Bill of Sale
Washington (WA) Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) Locations Yes Washington Bill of Sale
West Virginia (WV) West Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Regional Office Locations Yes West Virginia Bill of Sale
Wisconsin (WI) Wisconsin Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Customer Service Centers No Wisconsin Bill of Sale
Wyoming (WY) Wyoming Department of Transport (DOT) Drivers Services Locations Yes Wyoming Bill of Sale

Vehicle Bill of Sale Template

Download an example fillable vehicle bill of sale below as either a PDF or Docx:

Vehicle Bill of Sale

State of __________ Rev. 13417F9
 

VEHICLE BILL OF SALE

 

Seller Information

First Name Last Name
Address Driver’s License #
Telephone E-mail

 

Purchaser Information

First Name Last Name
Address Driver’s License #
Telephone E-mail

 

Vehicle Information

Make Model Year Price
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) Body Style Color
Odometer Reading Condition Notes

 

I, __________ (the “Seller”), agree to sell, transfer and convey all rights, title and interest in the below described vehicle (the “Vehicle”) to __________ (the “Buyer”) for and in consideration of the total sum of __________, plus any applicable sales tax, paid by _________________ and the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged.

Odometer Disclosure Statement

Federal and state law require the mileage of the Vehicle to be provided upon transfer of ownership. Failure to complete this or providing a false statement may result in fines and/or imprisonment. The Seller certifies to the best of his or her knowledge that the Vehicle’s odometer reading now reads: __________ miles.

The odometer reading reflects the actual mileage of the Vehicle described above.

Certification

The Seller certifies to the Buyer that the Seller is the legal and rightful owner of the Vehicle and has full right and authority to convey the same. The undersigned Seller declares under penalties of perjury that the statements herein contained are true and correct to the best of his or her knowledge, information and belief.

The undersigned Buyer accepts receipt of the Vehicle described herein and understands and acknowledges that the Vehicle is sold in “AS IS” condition without any guarantees or warranties of any kind, either express or implied.

 

Seller Information

Full Name Signature
Address
Telephone E-mail

 

Buyer Information

Full Name Signature
Address
Telephone E-mail
Adobe PDF
Microsoft Word (.docx)

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PDF Word

Free Vehicle Bill of Sale Form

Create Your Vehicle Bill of Sale in Minutes!

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