Maryland car bill of sale Do you need one? And what else does Maryland require?

Do you need a separate bill of sale?

Not always required, but strongly recommended

A bill of sale helps protect both you and the buyer, and some buyers need one to title the vehicle. Since 1 October 2026 Maryland no longer requires a notarized bill of sale. If the vehicle is 6 model years or newer, the buyer's tax is 6.5% of the greater of the price or the NADA clean retail value, so a low price to a friend does not lower that tax.

Source: Maryland MVA, Selling a Vehicle; Chapter 118 of 2026 (HB 251); form VR-005A

Does the title need a notary or witnesses?

Neither

Add the buyer's name and address, the sale price, the odometer reading and the date of sale to the back of the title, and sign. Where several owners are listed ALL must sign, unless the title shows “OR”. Maryland's list names no notary or witness. Maryland ended its notarized bill of sale rule on 1 October 2026.

Source: Maryland MVA, Selling a Vehicle (updated 20 Jan 2026), checked Oct 12 2026

What happens to the plates?

Yours — and take them off before they drive away

Maryland says it in as many words: license plates stay with the seller, not the vehicle. Remove them before the buyer takes possession, and do not let the buyer use your plates. Then return them to the MVA — Maryland explains what that actually buys you: returning the plates stops the insurance and registration requirements and helps you avoid fees. Keep your plate return receipt. You may keep your plates if you are moving them to another vehicle you own.

Source: Maryland MVA, Selling a Vehicle

Do you have to tell the state you sold it?

No notice — the plate return is the act

There is no separate Maryland notice of sale. Returning the license plates to the MVA is what ends your insurance and registration obligations, and the plate return receipt is your proof it happened. Keep your insurance active until you receive the tag return receipt. Maryland also asks you to keep proof of the sale — copies of the completed title, front and back, and the bill of sale — because, in its words, these records protect you if questions come up later.

Source: Maryland MVA, Selling a Vehicle — seller's responsibilities

Where does the odometer reading go?

On the back of the title

The odometer mileage is filled in on the Maryland Certificate of Title and the seller certifies that the reading is the vehicle's actual mileage. Maryland notes it is required by federal law rather than presenting it as a state rule of its own.

Source: Maryland MVA, Selling a Vehicle; 49 CFR 580.5(c)

The forms Maryland publishes

• Bill of Sale (VR-181) — Optional. Both of you sign and certify under penalty of perjury. No notary. Where: mva.maryland.gov → Forms. Revision: 10-26.
• Tag Return Form (VR-027) — Send it with the plates. Keep your insurance until you have the receipt. Where: mva.maryland.gov → License plate return. Revision: 09-24.

Selling here, registering somewhere else

These are the rules where you are selling, not where the buyer is taking it. The title is signed under Maryland’s rules, and the plate and the notice are yours to handle here.

Registering it and paying tax falls under the buyer’s own state’s rules.

How Maryland compares

Counted from the same answers, for all fifty states.

Ready to handle the paperwork?

Get your free documents, set up for a Maryland sale — the bill of sale, and the answers on this page as one printable sheet. Print what you need. Free, no account.

Get my free documents →