Free Vehicle Bill of Sale Template (Car Bill of Sale with Odometer Disclosure)

A vehicle bill of sale records the sale of a car, truck, motorcycle or other vehicle between a seller and a buyer. It identifies the vehicle by its VIN, states the price and the odometer reading, and says the car is sold "as is." The DMV uses it with the title to register the car in the buyer's name, and it protects the seller if the car gets a ticket the day after it's sold.

MultiDocs team8 min readUpdated November 6, 2026With official sources

In 30 seconds

  • A car bill of sale needs the year, make, model, VIN, odometer reading, price, date and both parties' names and signatures.
  • Federal law requires a written odometer disclosure when ownership is transferred, unless the vehicle is exempt. It usually goes on the title.
  • The bill of sale doesn't replace the title. Most states need the signed title to register the car.
  • Some states require the bill of sale to be notarized or on the state's own form. Check your DMV before the sale.

What a vehicle bill of sale should include

  • Vehicle: year, make, model, body style, color and the 17-character VIN (check it against the dashboard, the driver's door jamb and the title).
  • Odometer reading on the date of sale and whether it reflects actual mileage.
  • Title number and state, and any lien or loan on the vehicle.
  • Price and how it was paid. A realistic price matters: DMVs and tax offices may question a sale recorded far below market value.
  • Date and time of the sale. The time is useful if the car gets a ticket or toll that same day.
  • "As is" clause or any warranty.
  • Names, addresses, driver's license numbers and signatures of the seller and buyer.

Vehicle bill of sale template

MOTOR VEHICLE BILL OF SALE

Date of sale: ______________ Time: ______ a.m./p.m. Place: ______________________________ (city, state)

Seller: ______________________________
Address: ______________________________
Driver's license no. / state: ______________ Phone: ______________

Buyer: ______________________________
Address: ______________________________
Driver's license no. / state: ______________ Phone: ______________

1. Vehicle.
Year: ______ Make: ______________ Model: ______________ Body style: ______________ Color: ______________
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN): _________________________________
Title no.: ______________ State of title: ______ License plate no.: ______________

2. Price and payment. The Buyer pays the Seller $ ____________ (______________________________ dollars) for the vehicle by ☐ cash ☐ cashier's check ☐ bank transfer ☐ other: ______________. ☐ Paid in full on the date of sale. ☐ Deposit of $ ______ today; balance of $ ______ due by ______________. ☐ This vehicle is a gift (no price).
Included with the vehicle: ☐ keys (number: ____) ☐ owner's manual ☐ spare tire ☐ other: ______________

3. Odometer disclosure. I, the Seller, state that the odometer now reads __________ miles (no tenths) and, to the best of my knowledge, it reflects the actual mileage of the vehicle described above, unless one of the following is checked:
☐ The mileage stated is in excess of the odometer's mechanical limits.
☐ The odometer reading is NOT the actual mileage. WARNING: ODOMETER DISCREPANCY.
☐ This vehicle is exempt from federal odometer disclosure.
Federal law (and state law, if applicable) requires that you state the mileage upon transfer of ownership. Failure to complete or providing a false statement may result in fines and/or imprisonment.

4. Ownership and liens. The Seller states that the Seller is the legal owner of the vehicle, has the right to sell it, and that it is free of any lien or loan except: ______________________________ (write "none" if none). If there is a lien, the Seller will pay it off and deliver a lien release by ______________.

5. Condition: sold as is. The Buyer has had the opportunity to inspect and test-drive the vehicle, and to have it inspected by a mechanic. The vehicle is sold "AS IS," with all faults, and the Seller makes no warranties, express or implied, including any implied warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose, except: ______________________________.
Known defects or history disclosed by the Seller (accidents, flood, salvage or rebuilt title, mechanical problems): ______________________________

6. Title and registration. On payment in full, the Seller will sign over the certificate of title to the Buyer. The Buyer is responsible for transferring title, registering the vehicle and paying any sales tax and fees within the time required by the state. ☐ The Seller will keep the license plates. ☐ The plates stay with the vehicle, where the state allows. The Seller will notify the DMV of the sale where required.

7. Responsibility after the sale. The Buyer is responsible for the vehicle, including insurance, tickets, tolls and accidents, from the date and time of sale stated above.

8. Entire agreement. This bill of sale is the complete agreement about the sale of the vehicle and is governed by the laws of the state of ______________. It may be signed electronically and in counterparts.

Seller: ______________________________ Signature: ______________________________ Date: ______________
Buyer: ______________________________ Signature: ______________________________ Date: ______________

Notary acknowledgment (only if required by your state): ______________________________

Fill it in and sign it free⬇ Download as Word (.docx)Free, no account.

The federal odometer disclosure rule

Federal law requires anyone transferring ownership of a motor vehicle to give the buyer a written statement of the mileage, or to say that the actual mileage is unknown (49 U.S.C. § 32705). NHTSA's rules in 49 CFR Part 580 set out how. For a titled vehicle, federal rules require the disclosure on the title itself (paper or the state’s electronic title), signed by both seller and buyer (49 CFR § 580.5). The odometer statement in this bill of sale is a backup record and does not replace the disclosure on the title. Knowingly giving a false odometer statement can lead to civil and criminal penalties.

Some vehicles are exempt (49 CFR § 580.17), including vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating over 16,000 pounds, vehicles that aren't self-propelled, and older vehicles. Model year 2010 and older vehicles are exempt. Model year 2011 and newer vehicles are covered until 20 years have passed, counted from January 1 of their model year. So a 2011 car stays covered until January 1, 2031.

If you sell to a dealer or you are a dealer, there are more rules: the FTC's Used Car Rule requires dealers (generally, anyone who sells more than five used cars a year) to display a Buyers Guide. It doesn't apply to an occasional private sale.

How to sign a car bill of sale online

An e-signed bill of sale is useful when the buyer is picking the car up later, or lives in another city. Keep in mind that your DMV may still need the paper title signed in ink, or its own form, so check first.

  1. Upload it. Fill in the template with the VIN and mileage, save it as a PDF and upload it, or take a photo of the DMV's form.
  2. Place the fields. Signature and date for seller and buyer, a text field for the odometer reading, checkboxes for the odometer statement, and "ask for a document" fields so the buyer can attach a photo of their driver's license and the seller a photo of the odometer.
  3. Send it. By email, text message, WhatsApp or link. Signers don't need an account. Selling several fleet vehicles? Bulk send prepares one copy per buyer.
  4. Get it back with the audit trail. Both get the signed PDF with a certificate of the exact date and time of signing, the device, and the document's SHA-256 fingerprint.

DMV and state notes

  • Notarization: some states require a vehicle bill of sale, or the title assignment, to be notarized. Others don't need a bill of sale at all if the title is properly signed. Check your state DMV's website before the sale. MultiDocs doesn't notarize; see e-signature vs. notary.
  • State forms: many DMVs publish their own bill of sale form. If yours does, use it: you can still upload that PDF and have it signed.
  • Electronic signatures at the DMV: acceptance varies. Some states have electronic title systems and accept e-signed documents; others want original ink signatures on the title.
  • Release of liability: many states ask the seller to report the sale within a few days. Do it: it is your protection against the buyer's tickets.
  • Sales tax is usually paid by the buyer at registration, based on the price or the vehicle's value.

This is general information, not legal advice. For your specific situation, ask a lawyer licensed in your state.

FAQs

Does a car bill of sale need to be notarized?

It depends on the state. Some require notarization of the bill of sale or the title, most don't. Check your state DMV before signing.

Is a bill of sale proof of ownership?

It proves the sale, but for a titled vehicle the certificate of title is the main proof of ownership. You normally need both to register the car.

Can I write a car bill of sale by hand?

Yes, if it includes the vehicle details, VIN, price, date, odometer reading and both signatures, and your state doesn't require its own form.

Which vehicles are exempt from odometer disclosure?

Under 49 CFR § 580.17: vehicles over 16,000 pounds GVWR, non-self-propelled vehicles, model year 2010 and older, and model year 2011 and newer once 20 years have passed.

Can the buyer and seller sign the bill of sale electronically?

Yes. An e-signed bill of sale is a valid contract under the ESIGN Act and state law. Whether your DMV accepts it, or needs ink on the title, depends on the state.

What should a seller do after selling a car?

Sign over the title, keep a copy of the bill of sale, remove the plates if your state requires it, cancel the insurance and file the release of liability or notice of sale with the DMV.

Can I sell a car "as is"?

Yes, in a private sale. Write it in the bill of sale and disclose any defects you know about. Hiding a known defect can still lead to a fraud claim.

Official sources

We checked each source on November 6, 2026. If you spot an out-of-date fact, write to us at info@multidocs.es.

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