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

Do you need a separate bill of sale?

Not required — optional on the lien route

An ordinary sale transfers on the assignment on the certificate itself, so no bill of sale is called for. The exception is the same one as for the title signature: where a lienholder holds your title, you may give the buyer a notarized bill of sale naming the lienholder. The state's rule says you still sign the assignment on the title. Tennessee publishes no bill-of-sale form for either case.

Source: Tenn. Code § 55-3-118(a); Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1320-08-13-.02(1)(c)

Not required. Still worth having.

The title transfers ownership — and the buyer leaves with it. A separate bill of sale gives both of you something to keep.

It records who bought and who sold, the agreed price, when the vehicle changed hands, and any other terms you write into it, such as what was included or that it was sold as-is.

It does not replace the signed title or any notice Tennessee requires. You may not need one for the state. You may still want one for your own records.

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Does the title need a notary or witnesses?

Neither — unless a lender holds your title

For an ordinary sale, no. Tenn. Code § 55-3-118(a) has the owner endorse an assignment and warranty of title on the certificate, with a statement of all liens, and deliver it to the buyer when the vehicle is handed over — no notary, no witness. But if a lienholder holds your title, you may give the buyer a separate notarized bill of sale. It must show the lienholder's name and address, and you must tell the lienholder about the sale. The state's rule says you still sign the assignment on the title as well. Joint owners: everyone named signs, unless the names are joined by “or”.

Source: Tenn. Code § 55-3-118(a) and (c); Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1320-08-13-.02(1)(c)

What happens to the plates?

They come off, and follow you

The Department of Revenue puts it plainly: Tennessee license plates follow the owner, not the vehicle, and can be transferred to a different vehicle for a $1 fee at your county clerk's office. The statute says the same — the owner shall remove the plates from the vehicle and may have them assigned to another one.

Source: TN Dept. of Revenue, Surrendering a License Plate; Tenn. Code § 55-4-118(b)

Do you have to tell the state you sold it?

Nothing to file. It expires by law

There is no notice of sale and no deadline, because § 55-4-118(a) does it for you: whenever the owner of a registered vehicle transfers or assigns their title or interest, the registration of the vehicle expires. It is automatic on transfer. Take the plates off and keep your copy of the assigned title. The state has an optional Vehicle License Plates Cancellation form you may email in. If you later get an insurance-verification notice for this vehicle, answer it at driveinsuredtn.com.

Source: Tenn. Code § 55-4-118(a); TN Dept. of Revenue, Vehicle License Plates Cancellation (VS-09162021)

Where does the odometer reading go?

On the title

The reading goes on the assignment, and federal law says the same for an owner selling their own vehicle. Tennessee asks a buyer to bring an odometer disclosure statement to the county clerk “if applicable” — that is for the cases where the title itself cannot carry it. Tennessee publishes its own Odometer Disclosure Statement, RV-F1317001 (Rev. 10-21), for model year 2011 and newer.

Source: TN Dept. of Revenue, Titling a Vehicle (Current Residents); TN Dept. of Revenue, Odometer Disclosure Statement (RV-F1317001); 49 CFR 580.5(c)

The forms Tennessee publishes

• Odometer Disclosure Statement (RV-F1317001) — Model year 2011 and newer, when the title cannot carry the reading. Where: tn.gov/revenue → Title and Registration → Forms. Revision: Rev. 10-21.
• Affidavit of Non-dealer Transfers of Motor Vehicles and Boats (RV-F1301201) — Only for a gift, a low selling price (75% or less of fair market value), or a transfer to a tax-exempt relative: spouse, sibling, child, grandchild, great-grandchild, parent, grandparent, great-grandparent, or the spouse of a child, grandchild or great-grandchild. Where: tn.gov/revenue → Title and Registration → Forms. Revision: Rev. 5-22.
• Vehicle License Plates Cancellation (VS-09162021) — Optional. Cancels a plate; you email it to [email protected]. Where: tn.gov/revenue → Title and Registration → Forms. Revision: Rev. 9-21.

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 Tennessee’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 Tennessee compares

Counted from the same answers, for all fifty states.

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