A vehicle bill of sale is a signed record that a seller sold a specific car, truck or motorcycle to a buyer for a stated price on a stated date, identified by its VIN. It protects both sides in a private sale: the buyer has proof of what they paid, and the seller has proof of when the car stopped being theirs. Before you use our free car bill of sale template, check your state DMV, because many states want their own form.
Should you check your state DMV first?
Yes, always start with your state’s motor vehicle agency, because the state decides what paperwork it will accept to transfer ownership. A general vehicle bill of sale form is useful, but it doesn’t replace the title, and some states require their own bill of sale or application form.
Two examples show how different the rules are. California’s DMV says any change in ownership must be reported within 10 days, and the seller must separately file a Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability within 5 days; it also has its own bill of sale form, REG 135, which may be required. Texas asks the seller to hand over a properly signed title with the date of sale and odometer reading, plus a completed title application (Form 130-U) with the sales price clearly shown, and the buyer has 30 days to title the vehicle or may face delinquent transfer penalties.
Your state will be different again. The USA.gov list of state motor vehicle agencies links to every state’s DMV. Use the state form if there is one. Use our template alongside it, or on its own if your state has no form and just wants a bill of sale.
When do you need a vehicle bill of sale?
You need one for any private sale of a used vehicle: selling your old car to a neighbor, buying a work van from another contractor, or passing a motorcycle to a friend. When a small plumbing outfit sells its 2014 pickup for $9,500 to another small business, the paperwork matters. The bill of sale records the VIN, the mileage, the price, and that the truck was sold as-is, which is exactly what either side will want in hand if something goes wrong later.
For goods without a title (tools, equipment, furniture), our general bill of sale template is simpler. If the buyer is paying in installments, add a promissory note for the payment schedule.
What should a vehicle bill of sale include?
The seller, the buyer and the date
Full legal names and addresses as they’ll appear on the title application. If a company owns the vehicle, use the name on the title.
The vehicle
Year, make, model, body style, color, VIN, and the title number and state. Copy the VIN from the vehicle itself and compare it with the title. A mismatch is a reason to stop.
Odometer reading
The mileage at the time of sale and whether it’s the actual mileage, over the odometer’s limit, or not the actual mileage. NHTSA explains that federal law requires the seller to give the buyer a written disclosure of the mileage when ownership transfers, and that this goes on the title. If the reading is known to be wrong, the seller must say so.
Some vehicles are exempt. Under 49 CFR 580.17, exemptions include vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating over 16,000 pounds, vehicles that aren’t self-propelled, model year 2010 and older vehicles once they’re at least 10 years old, and model year 2011 and newer vehicles once they’re at least 20 years old. Our template includes the mileage section either way, because a recorded reading helps the buyer even when it isn’t legally required.
Price and payment
The sale price, payment method, and whether it’s paid in full. Write the true price. Texas, for one, wants the sales price clearly shown on its title application, and a made-up number helps nobody.
As-is and the seller’s statements
The template lets you sell as-is or list specific promises. The seller also states they own the vehicle, that there are no liens (or names the lender if there is one), and that they know of no title brands such as salvage or flood, or discloses them.
Signatures
Both parties sign. If your state wants any vehicle document notarized, its DMV page will say so; do that before you sign, not after.
How do you fill in the car bill of sale and get it signed?
- Look up your state DMV’s requirements and forms before meeting the buyer.
- Fill in the vehicle details from the title and the car, including the VIN and mileage.
- Agree the price and payment method. For large amounts, a cashier’s check or a bank transfer that has cleared is safer than a personal check.
- Sign the bill of sale. Then sign over the title exactly as your state’s instructions say, including the odometer statement if it’s on the title.
- Seller: file any notice of sale or release of liability your state offers, and remove the plates if your state requires it. Buyer: apply for title and registration within your state’s deadline.
Can you e-sign it? The bill of sale is a contract between two people, and the federal ESIGN Act says a contract can’t be denied legal effect solely because it’s electronic. The title and odometer disclosure are a different matter: they follow your state’s process, which may mean signing the paper title in ink or using the state’s own electronic system. See are electronic signatures legally binding and documents you can’t sign electronically for the wider rules.
Download it, fill in the blanks, and send it for e-signature with any tool you like. (This is the job we’re building SignWren to do; you can join the waitlist.)
This page is general information, not legal advice. For a specific contract or dispute, talk to a lawyer licensed where you are.