Vermont vehicle bill of sale

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

For a vehicle bought in a private sale, Vermont DMV lists a 'Bill of Sale & Odometer Disclosure Statement' among the documents the buyer must get from the seller, and DMV uses the price to figure the purchase and use tax. The seller may instead sign Section 6 of the buyer's Registration, Tax and Title Application (VD-119); that signature is needed only if no other bill of sale exists. For a Vermont-registered 2009 or older vehicle that has no title, the seller gives the buyer the registration certificate and a signed bill of sale. Form VT-005 has no notary section, and we found no notarization requirement.

Use the official form if you prefer it: Bill of Sale and Odometer Disclosure Statement (VT-005).

Vermont lists these items:

• Vehicle make
• Model year
• VIN
• Purchase price
• Mileage
• Seller's signature
• Date of sale

1. Make sure any lien listed on the title is released.
2. Have every owner listed on the title sign as seller in the assignment of ownership section on the back, and enter the buyer's name on the 'transferred to' line.
3. For a model year 2011 or newer vehicle, complete the odometer disclosure with the buyer on the back of the title or on form VT-005.
4. Give the buyer a signed bill of sale with the price and date of sale (form VT-005 works) and the signed title. If the vehicle is salvage, rebuilt or a total loss, tell the buyer orally and in writing before the sale.
5. If the vehicle is a Vermont-registered 2009 or older model with no title, give the buyer your registration certificate and a signed bill of sale.
6. Take your plates off the car. Move them to another vehicle on form VD-119, or cancel the registration with form VD-170 to see if you qualify for a refund.

All owners listed on the title sign as sellers in the assignment of ownership section on the back of the title, and the buyer's name goes on the 'transferred to' line. For model year 2011 and newer vehicles, the buyer and seller both sign the odometer disclosure on the back of the title, or use form VT-005. Any liens listed must be released. The title signature does not need a notary in Vermont.

Vermont doesn't require you to report the sale to the state. Under 23 V.S.A. § 2023(d), a seller who has delivered the vehicle and properly signed over the title is not liable as owner for damages from later use of the vehicle. Take your plates off, and transfer the registration to another vehicle or cancel it with form VD-170. Form: Registration & Plate Cancelation Request (VD-170).

Vermont DMV says: 'If you are selling your car, do NOT leave your plates on the car.' You are not required to return plates to DMV. You can transfer the plates and registration to another vehicle on form VD-119 once the sold vehicle has changed ownership, or cancel the registration with form VD-170 and your registration certificate or plates to ask for a refund. Refunds depend on eligibility, such as canceling within 30 days of issue, and a $5 administrative fee may apply.

Inspection. None tied to the sale for the seller. Vermont vehicles must pass a safety and visual emissions inspection every year, plus an OBD emissions inspection for vehicles 16 model years old or less. A vehicle without a valid Vermont inspection sticker must be inspected within 15 days after the buyer registers it (23 V.S.A. § 1222). Form VT-005 asks whether the vehicle failed an emissions test and got a time extension waiver in the past 12 months.

Odometer disclosure. Required for model year 2011 and newer vehicles that are self-propelled and registered at 16,000 lbs. or less. The seller and buyer both sign the odometer section on the back of the title, or complete the Odometer Disclosure Statement on the back of form VT-005.

Sales tax. The buyer pays Vermont's 6% Purchase and Use Tax when registering or titling the vehicle. It is based on the purchase price or the J.D. Power clean trade-in value, whichever is greater, minus any trade-in or other allowable credits. A buyer registering by mail includes a J.D. Power value printout, and a Vermont Dealer Appraisal (VD-012) can be used if the vehicle is worth less. Transfers to the donor's spouse, mother, father, grandparent, child or grandchild are examples of exempt transfers (form VT-014).

The title fee is $42.

Forms used in the transfer:

• Bill of Sale and Odometer Disclosure Statement (VT-005)
• Vermont Registration, Tax and Title Application (completed by the buyer; also used to transfer plates), VD-119
• Registration & Plate Cancelation Request (VD-170)

This is general information, not legal advice. Rules and fees change, so check with the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles 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.