Maryland Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale Form

A Maryland motor vehicle bill of sale is a legal form that documents the ownership transfer of a vehicle from the seller to the buyer. Sellers can use a vehicle bill of sale to attest that the transaction took place, and buyers can use it to prove vehicle ownership.

In Maryland, a vehicle bill of sale is mandatory to register and title the vehicle. Once the document is signed, the vehicle can be registered under the new owner’s name with the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration Office (MVA).

The buyer and the seller must sign the bill of sale before a notary public to make the document legally valid and enforceable.

Registering a Motor Vehicle

New car owners are required to register their vehicles as soon as they purchase them. For new residents wishing to register their current vehicle, they must do so within 60 days after they have moved to Maryland. If the vehicle is from a state that doesn’t issue a title, Maryland will accept the vehicle’s registration and bill of sale as proof of ownership.

Gather Required Documents

Here is what you should prepare when you register your vehicle with the DMV:

• Proof of Ownership:
  • Bill of Sale (Form VR-181): Verifies the sale and transfer of a vehicle. Must be used if the vehicle is fewer than 7 years old and the sale price is below book value. MVA will also accept a customized bill of sale for a car older than 7 years old and sold at or above book value at the time of registration.
• Odometer Disclosure Statement (Form VR-197): Certifies the vehicle’s mileage during transfer.
• Application for Certificate of Title (Form VR-005): Requests vehicle title issuance in your name.
• Safety Inspection Certificate: Confirms the vehicle meets safety standards.
• Proof of Insurance: Keeping in mind the minimum requirements [1] :
  • $30,000 for bodily injury
  • $60,000 for two or more people
  • $15,000 for property damage

Submit Your Documents

All vehicle registration is handled at your local Motor Vehicle Administration Office (MVA) branch or MVA-licensed tag and title service locations.

Once the initial registration is complete, they must be renewed once every two years—either at an MVA branch or online.

Pay Registration Fees

To register a vehicle in Maryland, you must pay the required registration fees to your local MVA branch.

Maryland Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale Sample

Create a Maryland vehicle bill of sale with this free template from Legal Templates, available in PDF and Microsoft Word format.