Wisconsin Vehicle Bill of Sale
Generate your Wisconsin vehicle bill of sale
Fill in the vehicle details, sale price, and buyer and seller information below. The form satisfies Wisconsin DOT requirements for documenting a private-party vehicle sale, including federal odometer disclosure. Wisconsin charges 5% state sales tax plus a 0.5% county tax in most counties, collected at the time of title transfer.
*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 Wisconsin
Is a bill of sale required to sell a car in Wisconsin?
No. Wisconsin does not require a bill of sale for private-party vehicle transfers. The only document required for the title transfer is the signed certificate of title. However, the Wisconsin DOT publishes Instructions for Selling a Vehicle (Form MV2928), which includes an optional bill of sale and a Buyer's Acknowledgement of Delivery section at the bottom. Completing these optional sections is strongly recommended — they provide a dated record of the transaction and protect the seller if the buyer delays the title transfer.
Does a Wisconsin bill of sale need to be notarized?
No. Wisconsin does not require notarization of a vehicle bill of sale or the title assignment for private-party transfers. The signatures of the buyer and seller on the title are sufficient. If the title has any alterations or errors, a separate Correction of Title form (MV 2489) must be submitted — but this also does not require notarization.
What information does a Wisconsin vehicle bill of sale need to include?
Although not required, a Wisconsin bill of sale should include the full legal names and addresses of the buyer and seller, the seller's current registration number, the date of sale, the purchase price, and the vehicle's year, make, model, body style, color, VIN, and odometer reading. The Title and License Plate Application (Form MV1) captures similar information and is the official form used to apply for a new title at a DOT office or through the eMV Public online service.
What taxes and fees does the buyer owe?
Wisconsin charges a 5% state sales tax on the purchase price of a vehicle, plus a 0.5% county tax in most counties, for a typical combined rate of 5.5%. The tax is collected when the buyer applies for the title. For vehicles transferred within Wisconsin that already have a Wisconsin title, the buyer can complete the transfer online through the DOT's eMV Public service. Otherwise, the buyer must visit a DOT office in person or submit the paperwork by mail. Gift transfers between immediate family members may be exempt from sales tax with proper documentation.
What should the seller do after the sale?
The seller must remove their license plates from the vehicle. Wisconsin plates belong to the owner, not the vehicle — the seller can keep or destroy the plates or transfer them to another vehicle. The seller should report the sale through the DOT's Seller Notify service (sellernotify.wi.gov) to create a record that the vehicle has changed hands. This step is not legally required but protects the seller from liability for tolls, parking tickets, and violations incurred by the buyer after the sale date.
Governing law
Vehicle title transfers in Wisconsin are governed by Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 342 (Vehicle Title and Anti-Theft Law), particularly §342.15 (transfer of interest in vehicle). The 5% state sales tax on motor vehicles is administered by the Wisconsin Department of Revenue. Title transfers are processed through Wisconsin DOT offices or the eMV Public online service using the Title and License Plate Application (Form MV1). Federal odometer disclosure requirements are established by 49 U.S.C. Chapter 327 and 49 CFR Part 580.