Free Maryland Used Car Bill of Sale

Buying a used car in Maryland means navigating two state-specific quirks: the 6.5% titling tax, which switches to book value when a car under 7 years old sells $500 or more below it, and Maryland's one-time safety inspection requirement. The bill of sale records what you paid. Until September 30, 2026, a notarized MVA bill of sale could get a below-book price accepted for tax; that route was repealed effective October 1, 2026, so for private-party sales of newer used cars the $500 line is the thing to watch at the MVA counter.

Maryland Requirements: Maryland sets no fixed day count: apply promptly after delivery; MVA may charge an extra fee if the title paperwork arrives more than 30 days after delivery. 6.5% excise tax.

Seller Information

Full Name *

Street Address *

City *

State *

ZIP Code *

Phone

Buyer Information

Full Name *

Street Address *

City *

State *

ZIP Code *

Phone

Used Car Details

Year *

Make *

Model *

VIN *

Color *

Mileage *

License Plate

Odometer reading is accurate to the best of my knowledge

Lien Holder (if applicable)

Sale Information

Sale Price ($) *

Payment Method *

Date of Sale *

County of Sale (if known)

Applicable Taxes Paid By

Condition & Warranty

Sold AS-IS (no warranty)

Warranty Details (if applicable)

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Selling a used car as-is? Our private sale checklist walks you through price research, safely screening buyers, and the exact paperwork steps — so nothing slips through and you stay protected from post-sale disputes. Read: Private Car Sale Checklist →

Maryland Used Car Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know

Primary Form

Form VR-005

Application for Certificate of Title

Agency

Maryland MVA

Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration

Primary ID Field

VIN

Sales Tax

Title Required

Yes

For used cars, the seller assigns the Maryland title to the buyer with an accurate odometer disclosure. Used car buyers should title promptly — the MVA may add a service fee after 30 days from delivery. If the seller cannot produce a Maryland title (out-of-state title, lost title), additional steps including VR-018 duplicate title or out-of-state inspection paperwork apply.

Inspection

Required

Sales Tax Details

6.5% titling tax. For a used car under 7 years old bought privately, it is based on the purchase price unless that price is $500 or more below book value, in which case book value is used. The notarized-bill-of-sale exception to that rule was repealed effective October 1, 2026.

Exemption: Some family gifts may be exempt — confirm eligibility and paperwork with the MVA. The $500 book-value rule described here applies to vehicles less than 7 years old.

Inspection Requirements

Used cars require a Maryland safety inspection at a certified station before titling. The certificate is valid for 90 days. VEIP emissions testing applies in most counties (Baltimore metro, DC suburbs, and others) every two years after the vehicle is registered.

Registration

Registration for this vehicle type is handled by Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) — not the same agency that handles cars in Maryland. Plan for separate filings.

Maryland Used Car Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist

Confirm the seller has the Maryland title in their name (or proper out-of-state title)
Negotiate price and check NADA book value before signing
Complete a bill of sale with full vehicle and party details
If the car is under 7 years old and the price is $500+ below book, budget for tax on book value (the notarized bill-of-sale route was repealed effective October 1, 2026)
Verify and record odometer reading; check actual/exceeds/not-actual brand
Get the Maryland safety inspection done within 90 days of titling
Submit title, VR-005 application, bill of sale (if applicable), inspection certificate, and 6.5% tax to MVA promptly (within 30 days of delivery to avoid a possible service fee)

Common Pitfalls

Buying a used car under 7 years old at $500 or more below book and budgeting tax on the price — the MVA taxes book value in that case unless you can document the lower price
Skipping the safety inspection and discovering at the MVA that you cannot title the car
Trusting a verbal odometer reading — Maryland prosecutes odometer fraud and the title brand must match
Buying from an out-of-state seller without verifying the title is clean and properly assigned
Forgetting that VEIP emissions kicks in at the next renewal cycle in most populated counties
Assuming a $1 sale price will avoid tax — on a vehicle under 7 years old, a price $500 or more below book value is taxed on book value

Pro Tip

Use our builder to generate a clean Maryland used car bill of sale and head to the MVA with your title, inspection certificate, and 6.5% titling tax in hand.

Maryland Used Car Bill of Sale — FAQs

I bought a 4-year-old used car for $5,000 below book value. What do I do?

Budget for tax on book value. For a used vehicle less than 7 years old, a price $500 or more below book value is taxed on the book value. Until September 30, 2026, a notarized MVA bill of sale could get the lower price accepted, but that route was repealed effective October 1, 2026. Bring the assigned title, VR-005 application, proof of purchase price (such as the bill of sale), and Maryland safety inspection certificate to the MVA promptly. On a $5,000 gap, tax on book value is $300 more than tax on your price.

How do I find the book value the MVA will use?

The MVA uses published used-car guide values to determine book value for Maryland titling tax. You can preview values on the NADA Guides website (nadaguides.com) or J.D. Power, but the MVA pulls its own data at the counter. For a used vehicle under 7 years old, what matters is whether your price is $500 or more below that value; the notarized bill-of-sale route for having a lower price accepted was repealed effective October 1, 2026.

Does Maryland have a "lemon law" for private used car sales?

Maryland's lemon law covers only new vehicles purchased from licensed dealers — it does not apply to private-party used car sales. Private used car sales in Maryland are "as-is" by default unless the bill of sale or a separate written warranty says otherwise. We recommend buyers get an independent pre-purchase inspection (different from the state safety inspection) and add an "as-is" clause to the bill of sale to make the no-warranty status explicit. Sellers can protect themselves by writing "sold as-is, no warranties expressed or implied" on the bill of sale.

What if the used car fails the Maryland safety inspection?

If the car fails the Maryland safety inspection you have two options: have the seller fix the issues before the sale closes, or buy the car as-is and pay for repairs yourself. The certificate is valid for 90 days, so if you are mid-purchase, get the inspection done before paying. Many private sellers will agree to a lower price in exchange for the buyer accepting the failed inspection. Either way, the MVA will not title the vehicle until you produce a passing inspection certificate.