A Washington D.C. motor vehicle bill of sale is a legal document serving as evidence of the transaction between the seller and buyer of a vehicle. It is essentially proof of the purchase and can be used in the case of a dispute over the ownership of the vehicle.
Registering a Motor Vehicle
Vehicles must be registered within 60 days in the District of Columbia, and the owner must be a resident of the state. If you are moving from out-of-state, you should apply for a driver’s license before registering your vehicle.
You can register a vehicle by visiting the nearest Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) branch.
Gather Required Documents
In order to register your vehicle with the DMV, you need to have the following documents:
- Bill of Sale.
- Current Title or Certificate of Origin.
- Proof of DMV Inspection: You will need to drive to the DMV inspection site and wait in line for the DMV inspection. If your vehicle is newer than 2005 and was inspected by the District of Columbia DMV, you can go to a self-service vehicle emissions inspection kiosk.
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Proof of Vehicle Insurance:
- $10,000 for property damage coverage.
- $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for third-party liability coverage.
- $5,000 for uninsured motorist property damage, with a $200 deductible.
- Valid Washington D.C. Photo ID.
Additional Documents (If Applicable)
- Motor Vehicle Power of Attorney: If someone is registering your vehicle for you.
- Odometer Disclosure Statement: Applicable for a new car; certification of odometer mileage required on back of title for a used car.
Submit Your Documents
Visit any DC DMV service location to submit your documents. Ensure your paperwork is correct before submission, especially for first-time registrations.
Renewals can be done online via the DC DMV website, where you can upload necessary documents and pay fees digitally.
Pay Registration Fees
Payments can be made at any DC DMV service location using cash, check, debit card, or credit card. Registration fees in Washington D.C. depend on the vehicle’s weight, type, and registration period. You can use their calculator to get an estimate of your total registration costs.
Washington D.C. Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale Sample
You can use our Washington D.C. motor vehicle bill of sale template below in PDF or Word.
