Virginia Vehicle Bill of Sale

Is a bill of sale required to sell a car in Virginia?

Virginia does not require a separate bill of sale for a private-party vehicle transfer, but the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) recommends one to document the purchase price, which is used to calculate the Sales and Use Tax. The primary transfer documents are the properly assigned certificate of title and a completed Application for Certificate of Title and Registration (Form VSA 17A). A bill of sale provides both parties with a written record of the transaction terms and protects the seller from liability after the sale.

The buyer must title the vehicle within 30 days of the purchase date to avoid a $10 late title fee.

Does a Virginia bill of sale need to be notarized?

No. Virginia does not require notarization of a vehicle bill of sale or the title assignment for a standard private-party sale. The signed title and bill of sale are sufficient. The buyer takes these documents to a DMV customer service center or DMV Select office to complete the title transfer and pay applicable taxes and fees.

What information does a Virginia vehicle bill of sale need to include?

A complete Virginia vehicle bill of sale should include the full legal names and addresses of both the buyer and seller, the date of sale, the agreed purchase price, and the vehicle's year, make, model, body style, color, and Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). The odometer reading must be disclosed — Virginia uses the odometer disclosure section on the back of the title rather than a separate form, consistent with federal requirements (49 CFR §580.5) for vehicles less than 20 model years old. The as-is nature of the sale should also be stated in the bill of sale.

What is the Sales and Use Tax on a vehicle in Virginia?

Virginia imposes a 4.15% Sales and Use Tax on the purchase price of a vehicle (Va. Code §58.1-2402). A $75 minimum tax applies regardless of the stated purchase price — even if the vehicle was purchased for less than $1,807, the buyer owes at least $75. The tax is collected by the DMV at the time of title transfer. If the stated purchase price is substantially below the vehicle's fair market value, the DMV may base the tax on the vehicle's book value.

Localities in Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads impose an additional 0.7% regional tax on top of the state rate, bringing the combined rate to 4.85% in those areas. Gift transfers between immediate family members — spouse, parent, child, grandparent, grandchild, or sibling — are exempt from the Sales and Use Tax.

What should the seller do after the sale?

The seller should remove their license plates from the vehicle. Virginia plates belong to the owner, not the vehicle. The seller can transfer the plates to a newly registered vehicle at a DMV office or surrender them. The seller should retain a copy of the signed bill of sale and the assigned title as proof of the transfer. Virginia does not have a mandatory seller notification form, but informing the DMV that the vehicle has been sold can help limit the seller's liability for the buyer's subsequent actions.

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.