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Tennessee Vehicle Bill of Sale

Tennessee does not require a bill of sale, but the Tennessee Department of Revenue recommends one. Fill in the form below and download a free, one-page Tennessee vehicle bill of sale PDF that includes everything the Tennessee Department of Revenue looks for. Nothing you type leaves your browser.

Tennessee
Vehicle Bill of Sale

Seller

Buyer

Vehicle details

Price and terms

How to sell a vehicle in Tennessee

A car bill of sale records who sold which vehicle to whom, for how much, and on what date. The buyer uses it to register and pay tax; the seller keeps a copy as proof the car changed hands before any tickets or tolls showed up.

Seller steps

  1. Confirm you hold clear title. If a lender is on the title, get the lien release before you list it.
  2. Agree on the price and fill in the Tennessee vehicle bill of sale above with the buyer. Record the VIN and the exact odometer reading.
  3. Both parties sign and each keeps a copy. Tennessee does not require a notary.
  4. Sign the title over to the buyer exactly as your name appears on it, and complete the odometer section on the title if the vehicle has one.
  5. File a notice of sale or release of liability with the Tennessee Department of Revenue if Tennessee offers one, remove your plates if the state keeps plates with the seller, and cancel the insurance once the buyer has driven away.

Buyer steps

  1. Bring the signed bill of sale, the signed title and your ID to the Tennessee Department of Revenue.
  2. Expect to pay sales or use tax on the price shown on the bill of sale, plus title and registration fees.
  3. Register within Tennessee's deadline, commonly 10 to 30 days from the sale date, to avoid late penalties.

Before you sign

  • Copy the VIN straight off the dashboard plate or door-jamb sticker, not from memory.
  • Write the odometer reading at the moment of sale; federal law requires it for most vehicles under 20 model years old.
  • Both parties sign, and each keeps a signed copy.
  • Sellers: remove the plates if your state keeps plates with the seller, and file a notice of sale or release of liability if your state offers one.

Why a bill of sale matters for a vehicle

  • Proves the sale date, so the seller is off the hook for tickets, tolls and accidents after the handoff.
  • Shows the DMV or county tax office the price paid, which sets sales tax.
  • Backs up the signed title if the title is lost or has no price field.
  • Documents an as-is sale so the buyer cannot come back over a repair later.

Selling a vehicle? The $19 sell-your-vehicle kit adds a signed release of liability and a Tennessee checklist to the pack, so the handoff is finished the day you sign.

Tennessee at a glance

Bill of sale
Not required, strongly recommended
Notary
Notarization optional
Official state form
None published; any signed bill of sale is accepted
Where the buyer registers
Tennessee Department of Revenue (www.tn.gov/revenue/title-and-registration.html)
License plates
Stay with seller

Tennessee county clerks title a used vehicle on the assigned title and odometer statement; a notarized bill of sale is required only when the seller has no title and the buyer applies for certification of ownership. Gifts and low-price sales use the Affidavit of Non-Dealer Transfers. Plates stay with the seller.

Checked October 2026 against the state's own guidance. Rules change; confirm before you file.

Other Tennessee forms

Vehicle Bill of Sale in other states

All states →

Tennessee vehicle bill of sale questions

Is a bill of sale required to sell a vehicle in Tennessee?+

Tennessee does not require a bill of sale, but the Tennessee Department of Revenue recommends one. Tennessee county clerks title a used vehicle on the assigned title and odometer statement; a notarized bill of sale is required only when the seller has no title and the buyer applies for certification of ownership. Gifts and low-price sales use the Affidavit of Non-Dealer Transfers. Plates stay with the seller. Tennessee has no mandatory form, so any complete, signed bill of sale like the one generated here is accepted.

Does a Tennessee vehicle bill of sale need to be notarized?+

Tennessee does not require notarization. Two signatures are enough. If you want extra certainty, the ready-to-sign pack includes a notary acknowledgment page you can use anyway.

Where does the buyer take the bill of sale in Tennessee?+

To the Tennessee Department of Revenue (Vehicle Services) or the county office that handles vehicle registration, together with the signed title, proof of insurance where required, and payment for tax and fees.

Does a car bill of sale need to be notarized?+

Most states do not. Louisiana and West Virginia require it, Maryland requires it for vehicles 7 years old or newer sold below book value, and several states ask for it only when the bill of sale stands in for a missing title. The ready-to-sign pack includes a notary page for any state.

Is a bill of sale the same as a title?+

No. The title is the state ownership record and must be signed over separately. The bill of sale is the receipt for the transaction. Most buyers need both to register.

What does "as-is" mean on a bill of sale?+

The buyer accepts the vehicle in its current condition with no warranty from the seller. It protects a private seller from claims over mechanical problems found later.