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

Do you need a separate bill of sale?

Not for the transfer — one way to prove the price

Virginia does not demand a bill of sale to make the transfer work, but it does want proof of the purchase price where the sale is not a qualifying gift — a buyer's order, a bill of sale, or the seller's declared sale price. It is refreshingly relaxed about the form: a handwritten statement signed by the seller and purchaser is acceptable, or a Vehicle Price Certification signed by either.

Source: Virginia DMV, Buying/Selling a Vehicle

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 Virginia 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

All owners listed on the title must sign as sellers. Put the buyer's name and address on the top line of Section A, fill in the odometer reading, enter the date of sale and complete the sale price. No notary. Writing “gift” as the price only works if the sale matches a requirement on the back of the Purchaser's Statement of Tax Exemption (SUT-3) — otherwise you must supply proof of the purchase price.

Source: Virginia DMV, Buying/Selling a Vehicle, checked Oct 12 2026

What happens to the plates?

Off before they take possession — then turn them in

The seller should remove the plates before allowing the buyer to take possession. You may move them to a replacement vehicle; if you are not doing that, turn them in or inactivate them online, at a DMV customer service center, or at a DMV Select. And collect your money: with six months or more left in the registration period you may qualify for a refund — file an Application for Vehicle Registration Refund (FMS-210) and mail it with the plates, or return them in person. Partial refunds exclude one-time plate reservation fees, Road Tax for heavy trucks and any late fees.

Source: Virginia DMV, Buying/Selling a Vehicle — remove license plates

Do you have to tell the state you sold it?

Yes — and you can do it by phone

Virginia states it as an obligation: you MUST notify DMV that you have sold, traded or donated your vehicle. Three ways — online, at a customer service center, or by telephone. Then tell your insurer — but only after the plates are turned in or inactivated, in that order.

Source: Virginia DMV, Buying/Selling a Vehicle — notify DMV

Where does the odometer reading go?

On the title — do not guess or estimate

Fill out the odometer reading from the vehicle itself, and Virginia says in its own instruction: do not guess or estimate. The seller records it in Section A on the front of the title. Recording a wrong reading on purpose is a Class 1 misdemeanor. Vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating over 16,000 pounds are exempt.

Source: Virginia DMV, Buying/Selling a Vehicle; Va. Code § 46.2-629

The forms Virginia publishes

• Report a Vehicle Sold or Traded — Required. Online, at a service center, or by phone. Nothing in the kit replaces it. Where: dmv.virginia.gov → Buying/Selling a Vehicle. Revision: online service.
• Application for Vehicle Registration Refund (FMS-210) — Money back where six months or more remain. Post it with the plates. Where: dmv.virginia.gov → Forms. Revision: 07/01/2022.
• Purchaser's Statement of Tax Exemption (SUT-3) — The buyer's form. A gift is tax-exempt only to the seller's spouse, son, daughter or parent. Check page 2 before writing “gift”. Where: dmv.virginia.gov → Forms. Revision: 07/01/2023.

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 Virginia’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 Virginia compares

Counted from the same answers, for all fifty states.

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