New York Vehicle Bill of Sale
Generate your New York vehicle bill of sale
Create a bill of sale that meets New York's requirements under NY Vehicle and Traffic Law, including odometer disclosure and as-is warranty terms. Print and sign by hand, or sign electronically and share with the other party to countersign.
*Electronic signatures are legally binding under the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act (15 U.S.C. §7001).
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Common questions about selling a vehicle in New York
Is a bill of sale required to sell a car in New York?
Yes. New York requires a bill of sale for private-party vehicle transfers. The DMV provides an official Vehicle Bill of Sale (Form MV-912), though it will also accept any written bill of sale that includes the year, make, VIN, purchase price, date of sale, and the signatures of both the buyer and seller. The buyer must submit the original bill of sale to the DMV along with other required documents when applying for a new title and registration.
In addition to the bill of sale, both the buyer and seller must complete a Statement of Transaction (Form DTF-802), which the DMV uses to calculate sales tax. The DTF-802 does not replace the bill of sale — the DMV requires both. If the vehicle is a gift, the seller still signs the MV-912 and indicates a price of $0, and the DTF-802 documents the gift for tax exemption purposes.
Does a New York bill of sale need to be notarized?
No. New York does not require notarization of a vehicle bill of sale, the title transfer signatures, or the DTF-802. The signed documents are sufficient on their own. However, if the vehicle's title was issued by one of a handful of states that require notarized title assignments, the seller's signature on the out-of-state title may need notarization — check the title itself for notary language.
What information does a New York vehicle bill of sale need to include?
The MV-912 form requires the vehicle's year, make, model, VIN, and body type, plus the names, addresses, and signatures of both the buyer and seller, the date of sale, and the purchase price. The form does not include an odometer field — odometer and damage disclosures are handled separately on the back of the title certificate, or on the Odometer and Damage Disclosure Statement (Form MV-103) if the title does not have space for them. Odometer disclosure is required for vehicles that are 20 model years old or newer, consistent with federal requirements under 49 CFR Part 580. New York also requires a damage disclosure for all vehicles regardless of age.
What taxes and fees does the buyer owe?
New York sales tax on a vehicle purchase is calculated by combining the 4% state rate with local county and city rates, which vary by jurisdiction. The combined rate ranges from 7% in some upstate counties to 8.875% in New York City. The rate applied is based on the buyer's county of residence, not where the vehicle was purchased. The tax is computed on the purchase price reported on the DTF-802 and collected by the DMV at the time of title transfer.
If the stated price is below fair market value and the buyer is not an immediate family member (spouse, parent, child, stepparent, or stepchild), the seller must complete an affidavit in Section 6 of the DTF-802, and the DMV may assess tax based on the vehicle's fair market value rather than the stated price. Transfers between immediate family members listed above are exempt from sales tax.
What should the seller do after the sale?
The seller must remove their license plates and the registration windshield sticker from the vehicle before delivering it to the buyer. New York plates belong to the owner, not the vehicle. The seller should return the plates to a DMV office unless they plan to transfer them to another vehicle. Failure to remove the plates can leave the seller responsible for parking tickets, tolls, and violations incurred by the buyer. The seller should keep copies of the signed title, bill of sale, and DTF-802 for their records.
Governing law
Vehicle title transfers in New York are governed by the New York Vehicle and Traffic Law, Article 46 (Certificates of Title). Sales tax on motor vehicles is administered under New York Tax Law Article 28. Federal odometer disclosure requirements are established by 49 U.S.C. Chapter 327 and 49 CFR Part 580.