Virginia vehicle bill of sale

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

For private sales, the sale price the seller enters on the title counts as the bill of sale. A separate bill of sale may be needed for a vehicle more than 5 years old if the price is missing or wrong on the title. It can be a handwritten bill of sale signed by the seller and buyer, or the Vehicle Price Certification (SUT 1). For a vehicle 5 years old or less, DMV requires a notarized Affidavit of Vehicle Purchase Price (SUT 1A) when the price is not within $1,500 of the NADA trade-in value.

Virginia lists these items:

• Purchase price
• Year, make and model
• VIN
• Date of sale
• Seller's signature
• Buyer's signature

1. In Section A on the front of the title, print and sign your name. Every owner listed on the title must sign.
2. In Section A, enter the buyer's name and address, the actual odometer reading, the date of sale and the sale price (or 'gift').
3. Give the signed title to the buyer. If you both qualify, you can instead transfer the title online through DMV electronic titling.
4. If needed, give the buyer a bill of sale signed by both of you or a Vehicle Price Certification (SUT 1).
5. Remove the license plates before the buyer takes the vehicle.
6. Transfer the plates to a replacement vehicle, or turn them in or inactivate them online or at DMV.
7. Report the sale to DMV online, at a customer service center or by phone. DMV says this is required by law.
8. Notify your insurance company after you have turned in or transferred the plates.

Section A on the front of the Virginia title. The seller prints and signs their name (all owners on the title must sign) and enters the buyer's name and address on the top line, the odometer reading, the date of sale and the sale price. The buyer signs and prints their name as buyer in Section A and completes the buyer sections. The title signature does not need a notary in Virginia.

Required. You can file it online.

Remove the plates before the buyer takes the vehicle. You may transfer them to a replacement vehicle. If you do not, turn them in or inactivate them online or at a DMV customer service center or DMV Select before you notify your insurance company. If six or more months remain on the registration, you may get a partial refund by returning the plates with Form FMS 210.

Inspection. DMV's seller steps do not include an inspection. DMV's buyer steps say a vehicle must pass Virginia's annual safety inspection and display a valid sticker before it is operated. If it is garaged in Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William or Stafford counties, or the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Manassas or Manassas Park, it must also pass an emissions inspection to be registered. Vehicles in these areas are inspected every other year.

Odometer disclosure. The seller must record the odometer reading from the vehicle in Section A of the Virginia title. DMV says not to guess or estimate. Virginia law requires the reading on the title and on any title application, and DMV will not issue the buyer a new title without it (Code of Virginia 46.2-629). Vehicles over 16,000 lbs GVWR are exempt, as are some older vehicles that were already exempt on another state's title.

Sales tax. The buyer pays Virginia's Motor Vehicle Sales and Use Tax to DMV at titling: 4.15% of the gross sales price, with a $75 minimum. For private sales, the price the seller enters on the title counts as the bill of sale. Qualifying gifts are exempt with Form SUT 3.

The buyer has 30 days to apply for a new title. The title fee is $15.

Forms used in the transfer:

• Vehicle Price Certification (SUT 1)
• Affidavit of Vehicle Purchase Price (SUT 1A)
• Purchaser's Statement of Tax Exemption (SUT 3)
• Vehicle Registration Refund Application (FMS 210)

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