District of Columbia Vehicle Bill of Sale
Use this form for a private-party vehicle sale in District of Columbia. It records the sale between seller and buyer and supports the transfer you’ll complete with the District of Columbia DMV, including the odometer disclosure. The District charges a vehicle excise tax based on both weight and fuel efficiency: from about 1% for the most efficient and electric vehicles up to 11% for the heaviest, least-efficient ones (effective February 17, 2025).
Two ways to sign
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Print and sign in ink
- Fill in the details
- Generate the PDF
- Print and sign with the other parties
Secure Relay Electronic Signing
Recommended- Fill in the details and choose who signs howEach party signs on this device or by relay.
- Sign on this deviceEveryone in the room can sign here.
- Relay to the next partyA link or QR code carries the document and every signature so far.
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Sign together on one device Relay by link or QR
- They review the locked document and signAnd relay it onward if others remain.
- Every party receives the completed document
*Electronic signatures are legally binding under the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act (15 U.S.C. §7001).
Go to the formCommon questions about selling a vehicle in District of Columbia
Is a bill of sale required to sell a car in the District of Columbia?
The DC DMV does not legally require a bill of sale for private-party vehicle transfers, but it is strongly recommended and may be requested during the titling process. The DMV may ask for a bill of sale to verify the purchase price and calculate the excise tax. DC does not publish a standardized bill of sale form — any written document that includes the vehicle description, VIN, purchase price, date of sale, and signatures of both parties is acceptable.
Does a DC bill of sale need to be notarized?
No. The District of Columbia does not require notarization of a vehicle bill of sale or the title assignment for standard private-party transfers. The signed title and completed Certificate of Title/Temporary Tag Application (Form DMV-CTA-001) are sufficient.
What is the DC excise tax?
The District of Columbia charges an excise tax on vehicle purchases based on both the vehicle's weight and its fuel efficiency — a structure unique among US jurisdictions. Under the formula that took effect February 17, 2025 (the Motor Excise Tax Amendment Act of 2024), the rate rises with weight and falls as city MPG improves: vehicles weighing 3,499 pounds or less are taxed at 1.5% to 9% of fair market value, vehicles weighing 3,500 to 4,999 pounds at 2.5% to 10%, and vehicles weighing 5,000 pounds or more at 3.5% to 11%. Electric vehicles pay the lowest rates (roughly 1% to 3%), and the maximum rate — 11% — applies to the heaviest vehicles rated at 20 MPG or less. The tax is collected at the DC DMV service center at the time of title transfer.
The title fee is $26. Registration fees vary by vehicle weight. If the buyer has more than 6 months remaining on a registration from a previously owned vehicle, the unused portion may be refundable in 6-month increments.
What should the seller do after the sale?
The seller must remove their license plates from the vehicle before delivery. DC plates must be returned to a DC DMV service center or surrendered by mail — they cannot be transferred to the buyer. If the seller has more than 6 months remaining on the vehicle's registration and does not plan to transfer the plates to another vehicle, they may request a partial refund from the DC DMV. The seller should keep copies of the signed title and any bill of sale for their records.
What if the vehicle has multiple owners?
If the vehicle is titled to more than one person, all owners on the title must sign the bill of sale. Use the "Add a co-seller" option on the form to add the second seller's name and address. Both sellers' names and signature lines will appear on the document. For electronic signing, each co-owner can sign on the same device in sequence, or the document can be passed from one device to another via QR code or shared link. Both buyers can likewise be named on the bill of sale using the "Add a co-buyer" option.
Governing law
District of Columbia vehicle transfers and their supporting records are governed by the District of Columbia Official Code. The provisions below set the framework for private-party sales and title transfer.
Vehicle title transfers in the District of Columbia are governed by DC Code Title 50, Chapter 15 (Motor Vehicle Registration and Titling), particularly §50-1501.01 et seq. The weight- and fuel-efficiency-based excise tax is established by DC Code §50-2201.03, as amended by the Motor Excise Tax Amendment Act of 2024 (effective February 17, 2025). Title transfers are processed through DC DMV service centers using the Certificate of Title/Temporary Tag Application (Form DMV-CTA-001). Federal odometer disclosure requirements are established by 49 U.S.C. Chapter 327 and 49 CFR Part 580.
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