A Tennessee vehicle bill of sale provides documentation of the sales transaction of a vehicle between a buyer and seller. It ensures the vehicle is being sold and purchased legally. The form typically includes vehicle information, sales price and date, and the contact information of the buyer and the seller.
Both the buyer and the seller are required to sign the vehicle bill of sale in Tennessee.
Tennessee Vehicle Registration
All operational vehicles in Tennessee have to be registered with the state.
There is no deadline for registering a vehicle following its purchase, and the time it takes depends on the county where you live. For example, your vehicle may need to undergo an inspection for emissions testing before you can register it.
Tennessee allows for the purchase of temporary license plates while you wait to obtain your title. You have up to 90 days following the completion of your vehicle inspection to get it registered.
Where to Register Your Vehicle
You must complete first-time vehicle registrations in person at a Tennessee county clerk’s office. However, you can complete the registration renewal in person, by mail, online, by phone app, or at one of the state’s self-service kiosk locations.
Documents Required by the DMV Office
The documents you need to register your vehicle depend on whether it’s new or used. For all vehicle registrations, take the following paperwork:
For new vehicles, you will also need the following:
If you are registering a used vehicle, gather these forms before heading to the county clerk’s office:
How to Write a Bill of Sale for a Vehicle in Tennessee
Step 1 — Obtain the Correct Form
Tennessee provides a bill of sale for motor vehicle form, or you can use our free template.
Step 2 — Complete Buyer’s Information
Include the buyer’s name, address, and telephone number.
Step 3 — Complete Seller’s Information
Do the same for the seller, ensuring that the information matches what is on the title and the seller’s driver’s license to avoid any confusion during the registration process.
Step 4 — Fill in the Vehicle Description and Sale Information
Provide information about the date of the sale, sales price, the make, model, year, and color of the vehicle, odometer reading, and the vehicle identification number (VIN).
Step 5 — Verify Trade-In Status
If you traded a vehicle in for credit toward another, fill out the section labeled “Trade-In.” You will need to know the sales price, how much you received for the trade-in value, and the difference between the two.
Step 6- Sign the Document
Both the seller and the buyer must sign the document. While some states require the form to be notarized, Tennessee does not.
Free Tennessee Vehicle Bill of Sale Template
You can use our free, printable template for your bill of sale needs. It’s available in both PDF and Word formats.
