# How to fill out a vehicle bill of sale

> What the buyer and seller each need, the VIN and odometer lines, and when your state wants its own form.

Canonical page: https://bettrpdf.com/forms/vehicle-bill-of-sale  
This file: https://bettrpdf.com/forms/vehicle-bill-of-sale.md  
Site index for agents: https://bettrpdf.com/llms.txt

Fill, sign and send it back: https://bettrpdf.com/fill?form=vehicle-bill-of-sale (sample, check your state)

Updated 2026-10-24. Pages: 1. Signers: Seller and buyer. Keep it: Both keep a copy. Usually with: Signed-over title.

## What a Vehicle bill of sale is

A bill of sale records a private vehicle sale: who sold it, who bought it, the vehicle, the date and the price. The buyer uses it with the signed title to register the car; the seller keeps it as proof they no longer own it. Some states, including Louisiana, Maryland and Nebraska, want their own form or a notarized signature.

## Every field

| Field | What goes in it |
| --- | --- |
| Seller and buyer | Full legal names and addresses, as on their IDs. |
| VIN | The 17-character vehicle identification number from the dashboard, the driver's door frame or the title. Check it matches the title. |
| Odometer | The mileage at the time of sale. Federal law requires an odometer disclosure for most vehicles under 20 years old; the title usually has a space for it too. |
| Price and payment | The agreed price and how it was paid. Some states charge sales tax on this figure. |
| As is | Private sales are usually as is. Write any warranty or promise in the terms box. |
| Signatures | Seller and buyer. If your state requires a notary, sign in front of one. |

## Mistakes that get it sent back

- **VIN that does not match the title.** The DMV rejects the registration. Copy it from the title and check it against the car.
- **Price left blank.** The DMV may assess tax on a book value instead. Write the real price.
- **Not reporting the sale.** Many states want the seller to file a notice of transfer within days. Do it, or you may get the next owner's parking tickets.

## Terms

- On the form: VIN, Odometer disclosure, As is, Lien, Notice of transfer
- Usually with: Signed title, Smog or safety certificate, Release of lien
- Who uses it: Private sellers, Buyers, Families transferring a car

## FAQ

**Can both of us sign from our phones?**

Yes. Fill it in, choose Request signatures and add the buyer; you each sign on your own phone and both get the signed copy.

**Does it replace the title?**

No. The title transfers ownership; the bill of sale is the record of the sale. You usually need both.

## Related guides

- [How to fill out a W-9 in 2026](https://bettrpdf.com/forms/w-9.md)
- [How to fill out an invoice that gets paid](https://bettrpdf.com/forms/invoice.md)
- [How to fill out a mutual NDA](https://bettrpdf.com/forms/mutual-nda.md)