Free Idaho Used Car Bill of Sale
Buying a used car from a private seller in Idaho — what the state calls a 'casual sale' — means the buyer is responsible for the 6% sales tax, which the county assessor collects at title transfer. Idaho has no lemon law protecting private-party buyers, so a thorough pre-purchase inspection and a solid bill of sale are your primary defenses.
Free PDF includes a light diagonal watermark. Go Pro to remove it. Already subscribed? Sign in.
Idaho Used Car Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know
Sales Tax Details
Buyers in a 'casual' (private-party) sale pay 6% Idaho sales tax on the total sales price, collected by the county assessor when applying for title. No local tax is added.
Exemption: The family exemption covers only a parent/child, grandparent/grandchild, or brother/sister transfer, and only if that family member paid sales or use tax when buying the vehicle (claimed on Form ST-133).
Inspection Requirements
No safety or emissions inspection required for used cars in Idaho. Out-of-state titled vehicles require a VIN verification before a new Idaho title is issued.
Idaho Used Car Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist
- Run a VIN history report (Carfax or AutoCheck) before agreeing on price.
- Verify the seller's name matches exactly what's printed on the front of the title.
- Obtain ITD Form 3738 and fill in the VIN, odometer, sale price, and both parties' full legal names and addresses.
- Seller completes the odometer disclosure on the back of the title (mandatory for vehicles of model year 2011 or newer).
- If the title shows a lienholder, do not hand over money until you have the original lien release from the bank or finance company.
- Buyer takes signed title, bill of sale, lien release (if applicable), and proof of insurance to the county assessor within 30 days.
- Pay the 6% sales tax on the total purchase price and receive the new Idaho title and registration.
Common Pitfalls
- Idaho has no private-party lemon law: 'as-is' means as-is. Inspect the car or hire a mechanic before purchase — you have no post-sale recourse.
- Accepting a title in someone else's name that is not the seller's name (a 'jumped' title) is illegal and can leave you unable to title the car.
- Handing over cash before receiving the lien release leaves you with a vehicle the lender may still legally claim.
- Underreporting the sale price to reduce sales tax is tax fraud; Idaho sales tax is owed on the total sales price.
Pro Tip
Idaho's 30-day titling window is strict. Buyers should schedule a county assessor appointment immediately after the sale, especially in rural counties where walk-in hours may be limited.