A motor vehicle bill of sale records and displays details as proof that a given seller sold a motor vehicle. A vehicle bill of sale also records a motor vehicle transaction’s critical information such as pricing and VIN.
This legal document acts as a receipt that confirms and records a vehicle sale transaction that occurred. However, it’s not legal proof of ownership after a motor vehicle’s transfer. Therefore, a new owner still needs a title to prove that they own the vehicle. Your state’s DMV may also require a seller to submit a completed bill of sale template before completing the title transfer paperwork.
Different states regulate how people use a bill of sale in deals. Some of them require a vehicle bill of sale to contain a motor vehicle’s odometer reading. Others stipulate that both parties sign a bill of sale to complete a sale deal. However, some transactions need only sellers to sign the auto bill of sale.
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A motor vehicle bill of sale acts as a receipt proving that you sold the vehicle to the buyer. It is not mandatory in some states, but it is prudent for the vehicle buyer and seller to fill out a bill of sale form and write a bill of sale in personal motor vehicle contracts because it protects them should problems crop up.
For example, if the vehicle is caught in a road accident, you won’t bear any liability. If you purchased a secondhand vehicle, a duly drafted document proves that title transfer took place and that you’re the current legal owner of the car enjoying full ownership rights. Moreover, if a vehicle breaks traffic laws, the seller can use the bill of sale to prove that they had sold the vehicle, hence avoiding criminal liability.
Most states demand that you also execute title transfer to the new owner to finish the transaction and give them full ownership rights. Therefore, confirm with your state’s motor vehicle department to know if you need either a bill of sale or signed title to sell your motor vehicle or both to finalize the transaction.
If you fill out the bill of sale form accurately, you can also utilize it as a loan instrument. For instance, if you’re purchasing a motor vehicle in installments, you can frame the document as a bill of sale. However, the transfer of title and possession only happens after making every pending payment under the loan after a complete transaction process. Therefore, the state regulates the vehicle bill of sale combinations to avoid seller or buyer abuse.
Moreover, either party in the deal can use it for tax reasons.
Some states require the notarization of a motor vehicle bill of sale (it is mandatory in Louisiana, Maryland, and Montana). So, the vehicle buyer and seller must undergo identity verification and sign the document before a public notary.
| STATE | Is It Required? | Registering Period |
| Alabama | Yes | Within 20 days |
| Alaska | No | Within 10 days of purchase or taking residency |
| Arizona | No | Within 15 days |
| Arkansas | Yes | Within 30 days |
| California | No | Within 30 days |
| Colorado | No | Within 30 days |
| Connecticut | Yes | If a new resident – within 60 days |
| Delaware | No | Within 30 days of purchase or change of residence |
| Florida | No | Within 10 days of purchase or taking residency |
| Georgia | Yes | Within 30 days of purchase or taking residency |
| Hawaii | Yes | Before taking vehicle on the road |
| Idaho | No | Within 30 days |
| Illinois | Yes | Within 20 days |
| Indiana | No | If a current resident – within 31 days; if new to the state – within 60 days |
| Iowa | Yes | Within 30 days |
| Kansas | Yes | Within 60 days |
| Kentucky | No | Within 15 days |
| Louisiana | No | Within 40 days |
| Maine | Yes | If a new resident – within 30 days |
| Maryland | Yes | Within 60 days |
| Massachusetts | Yes | Within 10 days |
| Michigan | Yes | Within 15 days |
| Minnesota | No | Within 15 days |
| Mississippi | Yes | If a new resident – within 30 days; if a resident purchasing from a private party – within 7 days |
| Missouri | Yes | Within 30 days |
| Montana | Yes | If a new resident – within 60 days; if a current resident – immediately |
| Nebraska | Yes | If a new resident – within 30 days |
| Nevada | Yes | Within 30 days |
| New Hampshire | Yes | Within 20 days (if a new resident – possible to use current state registration for up to 60 days) |
| New Jersey | No | Immediately |
| New Mexico | Yes | As soon as possible |
| New York | Yes | Within 180 days of effective date on insurance ID card |
| North Carolina | No | If a new resident – within 30 days; if a current resident – prior to operation on NC roadways |
| North Dakota | No | N/A |
| Ohio | Yes | Within 30 days |
| Oklahoma | Yes | If a new resident – within 30 days |
| Oregon | No | If a new resident – within 30 days |
| Pennsylvania | No | If a new resident – within 20 days |
| Rhode Island | Yes | If a new resident – within 30 days |
| South Carolina | No | Within 45 days |
| South Dakota | Yes | Within 30 days |
| Tennessee | No | Before using vehicle on TN roadways |
| Texas | Yes | Within 30 days |
| Utah | Yes | If a new resident – within 60 days |
| Vermont | Yes | If a new resident – within 60 days |
| Virginia | No | If a new resident – within 30 days |
| Washington | Yes | Within 15 days; if a new resident – within 90 days |
| West Virginia | Yes | If a new resident – within 30 days |
| Wisconsin | No | If a new resident – after establishing residency |
| Wyoming | Yes | If a new resident – after establishing residency |
In some instances, motor vehicle departments provide the motor vehicle bill of sale. When completing it, don’t forget to put the following information:
Other additional data you may incorporate into the document:
Including all of these details on the vehicle bill of sale makes it clear to both sides involved in vehicle contracts.
If your state does not require a vehicle bill of sale or isn’t specific on what a bill of sale must contain, you can use a free bill of sale template for a car. Fill out a free form that we offer or use our step-by-step builder to create a highly-personalized bill of sale for your needs.
The filling suggestions were written for the template provided on our site. Nevertheless, should there be a document available from your local authorities, it’s advised to use it for the transaction.
Step 1: Specify the document’s creation date.
Step 2: Enter the details of all parties (seller and purchaser):
Step 3: Enter the detailed information regarding the vehicle you’re selling:
Step 4: Choose how the buyer will buy the car and for what amount of money.
This stage also requires specifying the exact date of the purchase and the complete amount decided upon by both sides of the transaction. You will have to furthermore indicate the sale method the purchaser will go for:
And after that, indicate how the purchaser is going to pay:
The final thing to complete in this particular section is to choose if all applicable taxes are included in the final cost.
Step 5: Look at standard provisions and ensure that both parties have an understanding of them.
The seller confirms that they are indeed the owner of the car described in the document and they have the right to sell it based on the price in the form. The seller also confirms that there are no liens on the vehicle and that the information provided in the Bill of Sale is true, accurate and complete to the best of their knowledge
The “as-is” part states that the property owner gives no warranties and is not responsible for maintenance after the transfer.
Step 6: Sign the bill of sale form.
The purchaser is generally not requested to sign the document. Nonetheless, you will be more protected against legal troubles if all parties sign the form. To be sure, the parties can choose someone who will attest the deal and sign the bill of sale too.
Step 7: Notarize the form
Notarization is typically not needed, but it can be an excellent approach to create an additional level of legal safety to the deal.
In lots of states, a bill of sale document could be needed for title change, so the buyer needs to have the original. As a seller, you could either get a copy and store it or have a pair of identical forms signed and filled out by all parties.
Below are the simple vehicle-selling steps to complete the transaction using a car bill of sale.
Step 1. Gather the necessary paperwork for the car’s transaction
First, collect every legal document necessary for transferring the vehicle’s possession.
Step 2. Fix an asking price for the vehicle
Check how many other cars like yours are sold around you. That way, you will be able to determine a reasonable price for your vehicle and make sure it can compete with others. A good tip is to stay within the closest thousand. If you think that your car is worth $5,400, set the price at $5,850. This way, you will be able to negotiate the price down with the seller to your original amount. Also, don’t go over the $6,000 threshold. For example, setting the price at $6,100 would be a mistake.
Step 3. Clean and fix your vehicle
Next, clean and fix the vehicle so that it looks nice and works flawlessly. If it has any mechanical defects, fix them before advertising the car. You might have to do it a few times if your car is not cheap, as it might take longer to sell it. Put yourself in the buyer’s shoes, approach your newly washed car as if you were seeing it for the first time, get into the driver’s seat, and try to capture any negative things that draw your attention right away. If there’s none, you’re all set to start advertising.
Step 4. Advertise
Next, advertise it in the right places such as eBay Motors or Craiglist. Make sure to create as many high-quality photos of your car as possible. Take photographs in a nice area and with good lighting. Change angles when doing so and don’t forget to shoot inside the car as well. It’s a good idea to also capture your odometer reading and tire condition. When using various advertising platforms, you will need to indicate basic details such as year, make, mileage, model, etc., the same details you will be indicated in your bill of sale. Any additional details you might like to indicate can include the following:
Step 5. Screen prospects
Screen all bidders to separate serious ones from jokers, time-wasters, and scammers. There are many people, who are just “flipping” cars. They want to buy vehicles at the lowest prices and then resell them at a higher amount.
Step 6. Organize a test drive
After landing serious bidders, organize for them to test the car. Choose a safe location to meet with your potential buyers and show them your vehicle. Choose crowded places and take a friend with you, just in case. During the test drive, stay with them all the time but don’t push them to buy the car, trying to sweeten the deal in any way. Simply answer the questions they might have. In case the buyer requests a car inspection, they should pay for the mechanic’s services. And, if any major problems you didn’t know about arise, you might have to consider lowering the price.
Step 7. Finish the transaction
After test driving and agreeing on the price, sell it, and close the deal. Make sure the buyer is ready to pay the full amount you agreed upon and that there are no unclear matters left. After signing the title, you can give a vehicle bill of sale to the buyer and, in some states, a release of liability to relinquish ownership. For more legal protection, it’s a good idea to have both parties sign one copy of the same bill of sale and notarize it.
