Do I need it notarized?

Six states REQUIRE notarization of vehicle bills of sale: Louisiana, Maryland, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, and West Virginia. Several more (Arizona, Kentucky, Nevada, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Wyoming) require notarized title-transfer documents that effectively need this notarization. In other states notarization is optional but recommended for high-value vehicles or transactions with strangers.

What about the federal odometer disclosure?

49 USC §32705 + 49 CFR Part 580 (Truth in Mileage Act) require a written, signed odometer statement on every transfer of a vehicle less than 20 years old (changed from 10 years effective 1/1/2021). Falsifying it is a federal crime — fine up to $10,000 + 3 years imprisonment per offense.

I'm selling "as-is" — am I protected from the buyer suing me?

Mostly. AS-IS disclaims the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for purpose. It does NOT disclaim (a) fraud — if you actively hid a known defect, you can still be sued (Texas: tort of fraudulent concealment, CA: Civ. Code §1710), (b) warranty of title, (c) federal odometer fraud, (d) lemon-law claims if you are a dealer (private parties usually exempt). Document the buyer's opportunity to inspect — including the test drive.

How does the buyer's sales tax work?

In most states, the buyer pays sales/use tax on the vehicle's purchase price (or a state-published value, whichever is higher) when they retitle at the DMV. The bill of sale is the primary evidence of the price. "Gift" transfers to immediate family typically exempt — verify with state DOR. Inter-state moves often credit prior tax paid.

Do I need it notarized?

Six states REQUIRE notarization of vehicle bills of sale: Louisiana, Maryland, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, and West Virginia. Several more (Arizona, Kentucky, Nevada, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Wyoming) require notarized title-transfer documents that effectively need this notarization. In other states notarization is optional but recommended for high-value vehicles or transactions with strangers.

What about the federal odometer disclosure?

49 USC §32705 + 49 CFR Part 580 (Truth in Mileage Act) require a written, signed odometer statement on every transfer of a vehicle less than 20 years old (changed from 10 years effective 1/1/2021). Falsifying it is a federal crime — fine up to $10,000 + 3 years imprisonment per offense.

I'm selling "as-is" — am I protected from the buyer suing me?

Mostly. AS-IS disclaims the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for purpose. It does NOT disclaim (a) fraud — if you actively hid a known defect, you can still be sued (Texas: tort of fraudulent concealment, CA: Civ. Code §1710), (b) warranty of title, (c) federal odometer fraud, (d) lemon-law claims if you are a dealer (private parties usually exempt). Document the buyer's opportunity to inspect — including the test drive.

How does the buyer's sales tax work?

In most states, the buyer pays sales/use tax on the vehicle's purchase price (or a state-published value, whichever is higher) when they retitle at the DMV. The bill of sale is the primary evidence of the price. "Gift" transfers to immediate family typically exempt — verify with state DOR. Inter-state moves often credit prior tax paid.

Vehicle Bill of Sale

Records the sale of a motor vehicle between private parties — paired with the title to transfer ownership at the DMV.

Customise

State / jurisdiction variant

Date of sale

Seller full name

Seller address

Seller driver's license #

Buyer full name

Buyer address

Buyer driver's license #

Vehicle year

Vehicle make

Vehicle model

Color

VIN (17 characters)

Located on driver-side dashboard at base of windshield AND inside driver door jamb.

License plate # + state

Odometer reading (miles)

Federal Truth in Mileage Act 49 USC §32705 requires accurate disclosure.

Odometer status

Sale price (USD)

Payment method

Sale terms

State of execution

Live preview

VEHICLE BILL OF SALE

This Vehicle Bill of Sale is made on May 23, 2026 between:

  Seller: Jane R. Doe
  Address: 123 Main St, San Francisco, CA 94103
  Driver's License #: D1234567

  Buyer: John A. Smith
  Address: 456 Oak Ave, Austin, TX 78701
  Driver's License #: TX87654321

1. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION
Seller hereby SELLS, TRANSFERS, AND DELIVERS to Buyer the following motor vehicle (the "Vehicle"):

  Year:           2018
  Make:           Honda
  Model:          Civic LX Sedan
  Color:          Lunar Silver Metallic
  VIN:            19XFC2F58JE012345
  License Plate:  7ABC123 (CA)

2. ODOMETER DISCLOSURE (Federal Truth in Mileage Act, 49 USC §32705)
Seller certifies that, to the best of Seller's knowledge, the odometer of the Vehicle reads 48,250 miles, and that this reading reflects the actual mileage of the Vehicle to the best of Seller's knowledge.

3. PURCHASE PRICE
Buyer agrees to pay Seller the total sum of $14,500.00 (the "Purchase Price"), payable in cashier's or certified check.

4. PAYMENT + DELIVERY
Buyer acknowledges full payment of the Purchase Price upon execution of this Bill of Sale. Seller ACKNOWLEDGES receipt and DELIVERS possession of the Vehicle, the keys, the title (signed over to Buyer), and any owner's manuals, service records, or accessories included in the sale.

5. TRANSFER OF TITLE
Seller represents and warrants that:
  (a) Seller is the lawful owner of the Vehicle;
  (b) The Vehicle is free of all liens, encumbrances, security interests, and claims (other than as disclosed in writing to Buyer);
  (c) Seller has full authority to sell and transfer the Vehicle;
  (d) Buyer is responsible for re-titling and registering the Vehicle in Buyer's name with the appropriate state DMV within the time limit required by state law.

6. CONDITION OF SALE
The Vehicle is sold AS-IS, WHERE-IS, with all faults. Seller makes NO WARRANTIES, express or implied, including but not limited to any warranty of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or condition. Buyer has had the opportunity to inspect and test-drive the Vehicle and accepts it in its present condition.

7. RISK OF LOSS
Risk of loss passes to Buyer upon delivery of the Vehicle. Buyer is responsible for obtaining insurance coverage effective on the date of sale.

8. GOVERNING LAW
This Bill of Sale is governed by the laws of the State of California.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Vehicle Bill of Sale on the date above.

SELLER:                                        BUYER:

_____________________________     _____________________________
Jane R. Doe                  John A. Smith
Date: May 23, 2026     Date: May 23, 2026

[Notary acknowledgment block — required in some states; see compliance note]

About this template

A vehicle bill of sale documents the private-party transfer of a motor vehicle. It is REQUIRED by the DMV in nearly every state to re-title and register the vehicle in the buyer's name; without it, the buyer can't get plates and may face sales-tax disputes. Three clauses do most of the legal work: (1) **Odometer disclosure** — the federal Truth in Mileage Act (49 USC §32705, 49 CFR Part 580) requires a written, signed odometer statement on every vehicle transfer for vehicles less than 20 years old (recently expanded from 10). Falsifying it is a federal crime with civil + criminal penalties. (2) **Warranty of title** — the seller represents that they own the vehicle free and clear; if a lienholder later surfaces, the buyer can rescind and recover the price. (3) **AS-IS** — eliminates the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness, which is what private sellers virtually always want. Note: a separate signed title is what actually transfers ownership at the DMV — the bill of sale is the paper trail proving the price (for sales tax), the parties, and the warranty disclosures.

When to use it

Selling a car, truck, motorcycle, or trailer between private parties.
Buying from a private party — keep a signed copy for sales-tax purposes.
Estate sales — documenting transfer of inherited vehicles to heirs.
Gifting a vehicle to a family member (price = $0 or nominal; check state gift-tax rules).
Selling a vehicle "for parts" (only) — explicitly note the salvage / non-roadworthy status.

What to include

Full legal names + addresses + driver's-license numbers of seller and buyer.
Vehicle identification: year, make, model, color, VIN, license plate.
Federal Truth in Mileage Act odometer disclosure with status (actual / exceeds / not actual).
Sale price + payment method + acknowledgment of receipt.
Seller's warranty of clear title (no liens, no claims).
AS-IS clause OR limited warranty, explicit.
Date + signatures of both parties (and notary if state requires).

Frequently asked

It depends on the state but in most you cannot retitle without one (or its equivalent). Even in states that don't strictly require it, the DMV will want some price-documentation for sales tax, and a written record protects both parties from later disputes.

⚠ Legal disclaimer. This template is provided for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for legal advice from a qualified attorney. Always consult a licensed professional before using this document for any binding agreement.

Jurisdiction: United States — state vehicle title-transfer statutes (CA Veh. Code §§5901, 4456; NY VTL §2113 + Form MV-912; Tex. Transp. Code §501.071+ + Form 130-U; Fla. Stat. §319.22 + Form HSMV 82050; 75 Pa.C.S. §1110.1; LA R.S. §32:707 + Form DPSMV 1606); UCC Article 2 (§2-312 warranty of title; §2-316 disclaimer of implied warranties); federal odometer disclosure 49 USC §32705 + 49 CFR Part 580 (Title VI Truth in Mileage Act).

Last reviewed: 2026-05

Reviewed by ScoutMyTool — consult a licensed attorney for binding use.