Maryland Vehicle Bill of Sale
Generate your Maryland vehicle bill of sale
Fill in the vehicle details, sale price, and buyer and seller information below. The form satisfies Maryland MVA requirements for documenting a private-party vehicle sale, including federal odometer disclosure. Maryland charges a 6% excise tax and a $200 title fee. A notarized MVA Bill of Sale (Form VR-181) is required if the vehicle is less than 7 years old and selling below book value.
*Electronic signatures are legally binding under the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act (15 U.S.C. §7001).
Your document data is never stored on our servers.
Common questions about selling a vehicle in Maryland
Is a bill of sale required to sell a car in Maryland?
A bill of sale is not always required in Maryland, but it is strongly recommended and is required in specific situations. If the vehicle is less than 7 years old and the sale price is below the vehicle's book value, the buyer must submit a notarized MVA Bill of Sale (Form VR-181) signed by both parties. If the sale price is within $500 of the vehicle's retail value as listed in the National Publication of Used Car Values, the MVA will accept the price recorded on the title without a separate bill of sale. For vehicles older than 7 years, the price recorded on the title is generally sufficient.
Does a Maryland bill of sale need to be notarized?
Yes — when it is required. If the buyer submits an MVA Bill of Sale (Form VR-181), it must be notarized. The notary must witness the signatures of both the buyer and the seller. This requirement applies specifically when the buyer wants to base the excise tax on the sale price rather than the book value, or when the vehicle is less than 7 years old and selling below book value. If the sale price is recorded directly on the title and a separate bill of sale is not submitted, no notarization is needed.
What is the Maryland excise tax?
Maryland charges a 6% excise tax on the purchase of a vehicle, with a minimum tax of $38.40 (based on a minimum vehicle value of $640). For vehicles less than 7 years old, the tax is calculated on either the purchase price stated on a notarized bill of sale or the vehicle's book value, whichever is greater. For older vehicles, the tax is based on the purchase price. The excise tax is collected by the MVA at the time of title transfer.
The title fee in Maryland is $200 — one of the highest in the country. Combined with the excise tax, registration fees, and any applicable lien recording fees ($40), the total cost of titling a vehicle in Maryland can be substantial.
Is a safety inspection required?
Yes. Maryland requires a Maryland Safety Inspection Certificate for all used vehicles before they can be titled and registered. The inspection must be performed at a licensed Maryland inspection station and is valid for 90 days. This is a buyer-side requirement — the buyer must have the vehicle inspected and present the certificate when applying for the title at the MVA. Some sellers provide a current inspection certificate as part of the sale, but it is not legally required of the seller.
What should the seller do after the sale?
The seller must remove their license plates from the vehicle before delivery and return them to the MVA. Maryland plates belong to the owner, not the vehicle. Returning the plates stops insurance and registration requirements and protects the seller from future liability. The seller should keep the plate return receipt and copies of the signed title and any bill of sale as proof of the transfer. The MVA does not require a separate seller notification form — the transfer is recorded when the buyer submits the title application.
Governing law
Vehicle title transfers in Maryland are governed by the Maryland Transportation Code, Title 13 (Certificates of Title), particularly §13-101 et seq. The 6% excise tax is established by Transportation Code §13-809. The $200 title fee and the 7-year-old threshold for notarized bill of sale requirements are administered by the Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA). Safety inspections are governed by Transportation Code §23-104.1. Federal odometer disclosure requirements are established by 49 U.S.C. Chapter 327 and 49 CFR Part 580.