Free Tennessee Free Printable Bill of Sale
A printed bill of sale is a useful record of a Tennessee private sale, but it is not on the Department of Revenue's document list for titling a used vehicle — the county clerk needs the properly assigned title, proof of ID and residency, an odometer statement if applicable, and the registration if a plate transfers. Form RV-F1301201, the Affidavit of Non-Dealer Transfers, is needed only for gifts, low-price sales, and relative transfers. Tennessee sets no fixed day count, but the buyer must title and register before driving on a public road.
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Prefer a print-and-sign version? Our guide lists the fields a printed bill of sale commonly needs for DMV paperwork — with download-ready blank templates for all vehicle types. Read: Free Printable Bill of Sale Templates →
Tennessee Free Printable Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know
Primary Form
Standard bill of sale
Not on the TN Department of Revenue title document list — a record for buyer and seller
Agency
TN VSD
Tennessee Department of Revenue - Vehicle Services Division
Primary ID Field
VIN
Sales Tax
7%
Title Required
Yes
Inspection
Not required
Tennessee Free Printable Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist
- Print your bill of sale with all vehicle details, sale price, date, and both parties' signatures
- If the transfer is a gift, a sale at 75% or less of fair market value, or between relatives, complete Form RV-F1301201 (Affidavit of Non-Dealer Transfers)
- Seller signs the back of the existing title to assign it to the buyer
- Buyer brings the signed title, proof of ID and residency, and an odometer statement if applicable to the county clerk
- Pay 7% state sales tax on the purchase price at the clerk's office
- Check whether your county requires an emissions test — Davidson, Rutherford, Sumner, Williamson, and Wilson counties have active programs
- Title and register before driving the vehicle on a public road
Common Pitfalls
- Using Form RV-F1301201 for an ordinary sale — the affidavit is for gifts, low-price sales, and relative transfers, and it is signed under penalty of perjury
- Tennessee's 7% sales tax is one of the highest vehicle transfer tax rates in the country; budgeting only for the purchase price leads to sticker shock at the clerk's window
- Buyers in the Nashville metro area who skip the emissions inspection before registering will be turned away at the DMV
- A bill of sale that omits the odometer reading can trigger a federal odometer fraud investigation for vehicles of model year 2011 or newer
- Driving before titling and registering — Tennessee requires both before the vehicle is operated on a public road
Tennessee Free Printable Bill of Sale — FAQs
Is a printed bill of sale enough to transfer a vehicle in Tennessee?
The transfer runs on the title, not the bill of sale. The county clerk needs the properly assigned title, proof of ID and residency, and an odometer statement if applicable; Tennessee also says a notarized bill of sale is not sufficient proof of ownership. Form RV-F1301201 is added only for gifts, low-price sales, and transfers between relatives.
Does a Tennessee bill of sale need to be notarized?
Notarization is not required on the bill of sale itself for a standard private-party transfer. No notary is needed for a Tennessee title either — unless the vehicle has an out-of-state title from a state that requires one (Kentucky titles excepted).
Where do I register my newly purchased vehicle in Tennessee?
Vehicle title and registration transfers are handled at the county clerk's office in the county where the buyer lives. Tennessee does not have a centralized DMV office for this purpose.
How much is the sales tax on a private car sale in Tennessee?
Tennessee charges 7% state sales tax on the purchase price of a privately sold vehicle, collected at the county clerk's office at the time of title transfer.