Nebraska Vehicle Bill of Sale

Do I need a bill of sale to sell a car in Nebraska?

Yes. Nebraska requires the seller to provide the buyer with a bill of sale or a completed Nebraska Department of Revenue Form 6 (Sales/Use Tax and Tire Fee Statement) at the time of sale. The Nebraska DMV provides an official bill of sale form as a courtesy, but sellers are not required to use that specific form. Any document that includes the year, make, model, VIN, sale date, purchase price, and seller's signature is acceptable. The buyer presents the bill of sale at the county treasurer's office when applying for a title.

Does a Nebraska bill of sale need to be notarized?

The bill of sale itself does not require notarization for a standard titled-vehicle transfer. The Nebraska DMV's official form includes optional notary blocks, but these are not mandatory. However, the title assignment is a different matter — the seller's signature on the certificate of title must be notarized for the title to be considered duly executed under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 60-140. Without notarization of the title, ownership does not legally pass to the buyer. This means both parties should plan to visit a notary when signing over the title.

How long do I have to register a vehicle after purchase in Nebraska?

Nebraska requires the buyer to register the vehicle within 30 days of the purchase date. Registration is handled at the county treasurer's office. The buyer needs the properly assigned and notarized title, a bill of sale or Form 6, proof of liability insurance, and payment for sales tax and motor vehicle tax. The motor vehicle tax is an annual tax based on the vehicle's original MSRP, separate from the one-time sales tax.

How much is the sales tax on a private vehicle sale in Nebraska?

Nebraska imposes a 5.5% state sales tax on vehicle purchases, with local jurisdictions adding up to 2% more, for a potential combined rate of up to 7.5%. The tax is paid to the county treasurer at the time of registration. In addition to the one-time sales tax, Nebraska levies an annual Motor Vehicle Tax based on the vehicle's original MSRP, which declines on a statutory schedule from 100% in year one down to 0% by year 14.

Is an odometer disclosure required in Nebraska?

Yes. The seller must complete the odometer certification section on the certificate of title. For vehicles under 10 years old or weighing less than 16,000 pounds, a federal Odometer Disclosure Statement must be attached to the bill of sale. The disclosure certifies whether the mileage is actual, exceeds mechanical limits, or is not the actual mileage. Failure to provide an accurate odometer disclosure is a federal violation.

Are there inspections required to sell a car in Nebraska?

Nebraska does not require emissions testing for private vehicle sales. A VIN inspection is required only if the vehicle has a non-Nebraska title or a salvage-branded title. The inspection is performed by the county sheriff's office for a $10 fee. Standard in-state transfers between private parties with a clean Nebraska title do not require any inspection.

What is the difference between the sales tax and motor vehicle tax in Nebraska?

The sales tax is a one-time tax paid at the time of purchase, currently 5.5% at the state level plus any local additions. The motor vehicle tax is a separate annual tax assessed at registration and renewal, based on the vehicle's original MSRP. The MSRP-based tax starts at 100% of a statutory base amount in the first year and declines each year on a fixed schedule, reaching 0% by year 14. Both taxes are collected by the county treasurer.

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.