Free Pennsylvania Free Printable Bill of Sale
Pennsylvania accepts any written or printed bill of sale for private vehicle sales, but requires signatures from BOTH buyer and seller — the BOS is not valid with only one signature. The buyer must complete PennDOT Form MV-4ST alongside the BOS and submit within 10 business days of purchase; an annual safety inspection is required before or immediately after registration.
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Pennsylvania Free Printable Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know
Primary Form
Standard bill of sale
Agency
PennDOT
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation
Primary ID Field
VIN
Sales Tax
0.06%
Title Required
Yes
Inspection
Required
Pennsylvania Free Printable Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist
- Write or print a bill of sale with both parties' full legal names and addresses
- Record the 17-digit VIN, year, make, model, and odometer reading
- State the purchase price — Pennsylvania's sales tax is 6% of the purchase price (Allegheny County is 7%, Philadelphia is 8%)
- BOTH buyer and seller must sign and date the bill of sale — Pennsylvania requires both signatures
- Seller assigns the certificate of title on the reverse, including the odometer disclosure
- Buyer completes PennDOT Form MV-4ST (Vehicle Sales and Use Tax Return/Application for Registration)
- Submit the BOS, assigned title, and MV-4ST to PennDOT within 10 business days of the sale
- Obtain a passing annual safety inspection (and emissions inspection if in a covered area) before or promptly after registration
Common Pitfalls
- Pennsylvania requires BOTH parties' signatures on the BOS — a BOS signed only by the seller is not sufficient and will be rejected
- The 10-business-day deadline is strict; missing it means late filing fees and potential registration complications
- Form MV-4ST is mandatory — it serves both as the title application and the sales tax return. The BOS alone will not transfer the title
- Philadelphia and Allegheny County have higher local tax rates on top of the 6% state rate — budget accordingly
- The annual safety inspection (and emissions inspection for certain counties and model years) must be completed — the vehicle cannot be legally driven without a valid inspection sticker
Pennsylvania Free Printable Bill of Sale — FAQs
Is notarization required on a Pennsylvania vehicle bill of sale?
No. Pennsylvania does not require notarization of a private-party vehicle bill of sale. However, BOTH the buyer's and seller's signatures are required — this is a firm requirement.
What is Form MV-4ST?
Form MV-4ST is PennDOT's Vehicle Sales and Use Tax Return and Application for Registration. The buyer must complete and sign it, and submit it along with the assigned title and signed BOS. It serves as both the tax payment document and the registration application.
What sales tax rate applies to my county?
The base Pennsylvania sales tax on vehicles is 6%. Allegheny County (Pittsburgh metro) adds 1% for a total of 7%, and Philadelphia adds 2% for a total of 8%. All other counties pay the 6% state rate.
When is the annual safety inspection required?
Pennsylvania requires an annual safety inspection for all registered vehicles. For a newly purchased private-sale vehicle, the buyer must obtain a passing inspection certificate to complete the registration. Many inspection stations can do it same-day.
How many copies of the bill of sale should I keep?
Print at least two signed copies — one for the buyer to submit with Form MV-4ST and one for the seller to retain as proof the vehicle was sold.