Tennessee vehicle bill of sale

Fill in the free Tennessee bill of sale on this page and print it.

A normal sale with a Tennessee title does not need a bill of sale. For a used vehicle title, the county clerk asks for proof of ID and residency, a valid certificate of title, the odometer disclosure statement if applicable, a copy of the current registration if transferring a plate, and the Affidavit of Non-Dealer Transfers for gift, low-price or relative sales. When there is no title, the Application for Certification of Ownership (RV-F1310401) can be used for a vehicle worth $3,000 or less or at least 30 years old. For a vehicle under 30 years old, it asks for a notarized bill of sale from the last registered owner, or a notarized statement from the seller explaining why the vehicle was not titled in the seller's name. Without either, a licensed dealer's appraisal of the vehicle's value can be submitted.

Tennessee doesn't publish a required list. A complete bill of sale usually has:

• The seller's and buyer's names and addresses
• Year, make, model and VIN
• Odometer reading
• Sale date and price
• An "as is" statement if there's no warranty
• Both signatures and the date

1. Sign the title over to the buyer and hand it over with the vehicle. The county clerk needs a valid title, properly assigned, to title the vehicle in the buyer's name.
2. For a model year 2011 or newer vehicle, complete the Odometer Disclosure Statement (RV-F1317001) with the buyer.
3. For a gift, a sale to a qualifying relative, or a price at or below 75% of fair market value, complete the Affidavit of Non-Dealer Transfers (RV-F1301201) with the buyer.
4. Remove your license plate. It stays with you and can go on another vehicle for a $1 fee.
5. If the plate stayed on the vehicle, you can cancel it with the Vehicle License Plates Cancellation form (VS-09162021), emailed to [email protected].

Tennessee has no seller notice of sale. Keep your plate, since plates follow the owner. If the plate stayed on the sold vehicle, you can cancel it with the Vehicle License Plates Cancellation form. Form: Vehicle License Plates Cancellation (VS-09162021).

The Department of Revenue says Tennessee license plates follow the owner, not the vehicle, and can be transferred to a different vehicle for a $1 fee. Bring a copy of your current registration when transferring a plate. The registration expires when you transfer the title (Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-4-118(a)). If you sold the vehicle with the plate attached, you can cancel the plate with form VS-09162021 by email to [email protected].

Inspection. None tied to the sale. The Department of Revenue's document lists for titling and registering a used vehicle do not include an inspection or emissions certificate.

Odometer disclosure. Federal and state law require the seller and buyer to state the mileage when ownership of a model year 2011 or newer vehicle changes, whether by sale, trade-in or exchange. Tennessee's Odometer Disclosure Statement (RV-F1317001) has the seller certify the reading, and both sign. The county clerk asks for it with the title application when it applies. Exempt: model year 2010 or older, over 16,000 pounds GVWR, and vehicles that are not self-propelled.

Sales tax. Private sales of motor vehicles are taxable in Tennessee. The buyer pays sales or use tax to the county clerk when titling. The state rate is 7% of the price, plus local option tax of up to 2.75% on the first $1,600 and a 2.75% state single article tax on the part from $1,600.01 to $3,200. Sales between spouses, siblings, lineal relatives and their spouses, and true gifts are exempt with the Affidavit of Non-Dealer Transfers (RV-F1301201). The same affidavit is required when the price is 75% or less of fair market value.

Forms used in the transfer:

• Odometer Disclosure Statement (RV-F1317001)
• Affidavit of Non-Dealer Transfers of Motor Vehicles and Boats (RV-F1301201)
• Application for Certification of Ownership (no title), RV-F1310401
• Vehicle License Plates Cancellation (VS-09162021)

This is general information, not legal advice. Rules and fees change, so check with the Tennessee Department of Revenue, Title and Registration if anything about your sale is unusual. Last verified October 20, 2026.

Listing it first? Good photos sell cars faster: see how to take pictures of a car to sell, and read the full guide to selling a car. Buying or selling in another state? Pick it on the bill of sale page.