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Free South Dakota Used Car Bill of Sale

Used-car private sales in South Dakota are simple compared to most states: no inspection, no emissions, no DMV lines — just a signed title, a bill of sale, and a trip to the county treasurer to pay the 4% Motor Vehicle Excise Tax. South Dakota publishes Form MV-016 as its official bill of sale, but a typed document works fine as long as the VIN, price, odometer, and signatures are there. The state has no income tax, so the county treasurer will scrutinize sale prices that look fishy compared to NADA book — write the real number and keep your receipts.

South Dakota Requirements: Transfer title within 45 days. 4% motor vehicle excise tax.

Seller Information

Buyer Information

Used Car Details

Sale Information

Condition & Warranty

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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 →

South Dakota Used Car Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know

Primary Form
MV-016
South Dakota Bill of Sale
Agency
SD DOR MVD
South Dakota Department of Revenue, Motor Vehicle Division
Primary ID Field
VIN
Sales Tax
4%
Title Required
Yes
For a used car, the seller must complete the assignment block on the back of the South Dakota title (or out-of-state title), fill in the odometer reading, and sign. The buyer then files MV-008 Application for Title at their county treasurer's office along with the signed title, the bill of sale, and a damage disclosure if the vehicle is under 9 model years old. If there's a lien on the title, the seller must produce a lien release before the title can be transferred. Out-of-state titles are accepted but require a VIN verification done by any law enforcement officer.
Inspection
Not required

Sales Tax Details

Used cars are subject to the same 4% Motor Vehicle Excise Tax as new vehicles, calculated on the actual purchase price written on the bill of sale. The county treasurer cross-references unrealistically low prices against NADA average trade-in value and may assess MVET on the higher number — so a $500 sale price on a $15,000 Tahoe will get flagged. There is no trade-in credit on private-party sales (only when trading at a licensed SD dealer). The county treasurer collects MVET when the buyer titles the vehicle, not at the time of sale.

Exemption: Same family exemptions as for any vehicle — spouse, parent, child, sibling, grandparent, grandchild, plus step and in-law. Inheritance and divorce-decree transfers are also MVET-exempt. Document the relationship on Form MV-008.

Inspection Requirements

No safety inspection and no emissions testing for used cars in South Dakota — you can buy a 20-year-old pickup with a check engine light and title it the same day. The buyer should still do their own pre-purchase inspection at a trusted shop because there is no state-mandated mechanical check protecting them. For salvage and rebuilt vehicles, SD Highway Patrol inspection is required before a rebuilt title can issue.

Registration

Registration for this vehicle type is handled by County treasurer's office (on behalf of SD DOR MVD) — not the same agency that handles cars in South Dakota. Plan for separate filings.

South Dakota Used Car Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist

  1. Buyer and seller full legal names plus complete addresses
  2. Year, make, model, body type, and 17-digit VIN (cross-check against the dash and door jamb)
  3. Exact odometer reading on the day of sale — required disclosure for vehicles under 20 model years old
  4. Sale price in dollars — this is what the 4% MVET is calculated on at the county treasurer
  5. Date of sale (starts the 45-day titling clock)
  6. Damage disclosure form for vehicles under 9 model years old
  7. "As-is, no warranty" language — private sales are not covered by lemon law
  8. Lien release from the seller's lender if the title shows a lienholder
  9. Both signatures and printed names dated the day of sale

Common Pitfalls

  • Skipping the federal odometer disclosure on cars under 20 model years old. SD enforces this; missing it voids the title transfer.
  • Not getting a lien release before money changes hands. If the title shows GM Financial or Wells Fargo as lienholder, the seller must produce a release stamp or letter — otherwise the buyer can't title the car.
  • Writing "gift" on the bill of sale to dodge MVET when it isn't actually a family transfer. The treasurer will reassess MVET against NADA value and tack on penalties. If it's a real gift between immediate family, claim the exemption properly.
  • Out-of-state buyers assuming SD will let them transit the car home on the seller's plates. Plates stay with the seller. Get a 30-day temporary permit from the county treasurer.
  • Sellers forgetting to file a Notice of Sale with their county treasurer. SD doesn't require it the same way some states do, but keeping a signed copy of the bill of sale and a photo of the assigned title protects you if the buyer doesn't actually retitle within 45 days.

Pro Tip

Sign two copies of the bill of sale, hand the buyer the assigned title, pull your plates off the car, and you're done as the seller. The buyer has 45 days to get to their county treasurer with MV-008, the bill of sale, and 4% MVET in hand. South Dakota keeps used-car sales fast and cheap — just don't lie about the price.

South Dakota Used Car Bill of Sale — FAQs

Can I use the South Dakota MV-016 bill of sale, or do I need something custom?
Either works. MV-016 is the state-published bill of sale and the county treasurer will always accept it without questions. A custom or generic bill of sale is also fine — there's no rule that you must use the state form — as long as it contains the buyer and seller names and addresses, date, year/make/model, VIN, odometer reading, sale price, and both signatures. Generic forms from notaries, banks, or online templates are perfectly acceptable. Many private sellers prefer a custom document because the MV-016 form has limited space and doesn't include "as-is" language.
How much will the 4% excise tax actually cost me on a $12,000 used car?
About $480 in MVET, payable to your county treasurer when you title the vehicle. On top of that you'll pay registration fees (varies by vehicle weight and age, typically $30 to $100 per year), a title fee of around $10, and a small lien recording fee if you're financing. There's no county or city sales tax piled on top — the 4% MVET is the only tax. Compare that to a state like California where total taxes plus DMV fees can run 9-11% of sale price. South Dakota's vehicle costs are among the lowest in the country, which is why so many out-of-state RV owners domicile here.
What if the seller still owes money to a bank on the car?
You cannot complete the sale until the lien is released. The South Dakota title will show the lienholder name (e.g., "Wells Fargo Auto") in the lien block, and the county treasurer will not transfer ownership without a notarized lien release or a stamped clear title from the lender. The standard process: buyer brings cash or cashier's check to the seller's bank, the bank takes the payoff, releases the lien, and either hands over a clean title or sends a release form. Then the remaining funds go to the seller. Don't hand the seller cash and trust them to pay off the bank later — you'll never see a clean title.
Do I need a notary on a South Dakota used-car bill of sale?
No. South Dakota does not require notarization on a private-party vehicle bill of sale, and the county treasurer will accept an unnotarized MV-016 or generic bill of sale without issue. The title itself doesn't require notarization either — South Dakota is not a notary-on-title state like Arizona or Louisiana. That said, notarizing a high-dollar sale ($20,000+) gives both parties a stronger record if a dispute later arises about whether the signatures were genuine. Most South Dakota banks and credit unions notarize for free for account holders.
What happens if the buyer never retitles the car after I sell it?
Legally you're still the owner of record until the buyer files MV-008 at their county treasurer, which means you can be on the hook for tickets, tolls, and accidents. South Dakota doesn't have a formal Notice of Sale system like California, but you can protect yourself by: (1) keeping a signed dated copy of the bill of sale, (2) photographing the title with your assignment signature and odometer reading filled in, (3) removing your plates, and (4) calling your county treasurer 30 days after the sale to confirm the title has transferred. If it hasn't, send the treasurer a copy of your bill of sale so the date of transfer is on record.

Other South Dakota Templates

Vehicle Bill of SaleCar Bill of SaleMotorcycle Bill of SaleBoat Bill of SaleTrailer Bill of SaleHorse Bill of SaleATV Bill of SaleGun / Firearm Bill of SaleRV Bill of SaleGeneral Bill of SaleFree Printable Bill of SaleOdometer Disclosure Bill of SaleAs-Is Bill of SaleGift Bill of Sale

Used Car in Other States

TexasFloridaGeorgiaMissouriUtahOregonAlabamaColoradoConnecticutArkansas

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