Free Utah Vehicle Bill of Sale

A Utah vehicle bill of sale documents the transfer of a car, truck, or motorcycle and pairs with form TC-656 (Application for Utah Title) submitted to the Utah Division of Motor Vehicles, a division of the Utah State Tax Commission. Utah law requires buyers to title in their name before driving on a highway, charges 4.85% state sales tax plus local add-ons, and adds the annual Uniform Fee at registration — so getting the bill of sale right keeps your trip to the DMV short and the tax bill predictable.

Utah Requirements: Utah sets no fixed day count: the buyer must apply for a new title and registration before driving the vehicle on a highway (Utah Code 41-1a-703). 4.85% sales tax.

Seller Information

Full Name *

Street Address *

City *

State *

ZIP Code *

Phone

Buyer Information

Full Name *

Street Address *

City *

State *

ZIP Code *

Phone

Vehicle 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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Transferring any motor vehicle? Our guide covers VIN verification, title transfer timelines, payment safety, and the eight things to do before handing over the keys — applicable to any car, truck, or SUV. Read: Car Bill of Sale: Complete Guide →

Utah Vehicle Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know

Primary Form

TC-656

Application for Utah Title

Agency

Utah DMV

Utah Division of Motor Vehicles (Utah State Tax Commission)

Primary ID Field

VIN

Sales Tax

4.85%

Title Required

Yes

Utah is a title-holding state. Seller must sign over the Utah title with odometer disclosure (vehicles of model year 2011 or newer) and accurate purchase price. Buyer must apply for a new title and registration at any Utah DMV office (TC-656) before driving the vehicle on a highway — Utah sets no fixed day count (Utah Code § 41-1a-703).

Inspection

Required

Sales Tax Details

Utah charges 4.85% state sales tax plus local option taxes — combined rates typically run 6.1% to 9.05% depending on county and city. Utah also assesses an annual Uniform Fee on motor vehicles (an age-based ad valorem fee, generally $10–$200) due at registration on top of sales tax.

Exemption: Some family transfers and gifts may be exempt from Utah sales tax — ask the Utah DMV which transfers qualify and what documentation it requires.

Inspection Requirements

Utah eliminated the statewide annual safety inspection in 2018, but six counties — Cache, Davis, Salt Lake, Utah, Weber, and Box Elder — still require a safety inspection on certain commercial and salvage-rebuilt vehicles. Emissions testing is mandatory in four Wasatch Front counties (Davis, Salt Lake, Utah, Weber) and is required at registration and transfer of ownership.

Registration

Registration for this vehicle type is handled by Utah Division of Motor Vehicles — not the same agency that handles cars in Utah. Plan for separate filings.

Utah Vehicle Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist

Full legal names, Utah addresses, and phone numbers for buyer and seller
Year, make, model, body style, color, and full 17-character VIN
Odometer reading with disclosure (required for vehicles of model year 2011 or newer)
Exact purchase price in U.S. dollars (or note "gift" / family transfer)
Date of sale — the record of when the vehicle changed hands
Signatures of all parties; notarization is optional but recommended for high-value sales
Properly assigned Utah title with seller signature and odometer block completed
If claiming a family-transfer or gift exemption, the documentation the Utah DMV requires

Common Pitfalls

Driving the vehicle on a highway before applying for the new title and registration (Utah Code § 41-1a-703)
Forgetting the Uniform Fee — buyers often budget for 4.85% sales tax but overlook the age-based ad valorem fee due at registration
Underreporting the sale price — the tax runs on the net price on an acceptable signed bill of sale, and without one the DMV uses Fair Market Value
Skipping emissions testing in Davis, Salt Lake, Utah, or Weber County before applying for registration
Leaving the odometer block blank on vehicles of model year 2011 or newer — federal and Utah law both require the disclosure
Assuming a verbal "family deal" qualifies for the tax exemption without the documentation the DMV requires

Pro Tip

Sign the bill of sale, hand over the assigned Utah title, and remind the buyer to head to the Utah DMV before driving on a highway with TC-656, sales tax, the Uniform Fee, and any required emissions certificate.

Utah Vehicle Bill of Sale — FAQs

How long do I have to transfer a Utah title after I buy a vehicle?

Utah sets no fixed day count. Under Utah Code § 41-1a-703 the buyer must apply for a new title and registration at the Utah DMV before driving the vehicle on a highway. File form TC-656 with the assigned title, your bill of sale, proof of insurance, and emissions certificate (if your county requires it). The 60 days quoted on dmv.utah.gov applies to new residents, not private-sale buyers.

What sales tax will I owe on a private vehicle purchase in Utah?

Utah charges 4.85% state sales tax, and counties and cities layer on local option taxes that bring most combined rates to roughly 6.1%–9.05%. Tax is based on the net purchase price on an acceptable signed bill of sale; without one (or if it doesn't meet the DMV's requirements), the DMV uses Fair Market Value, or a certified appraisal if the buyer provides one. You also pay an annual Uniform Fee — Utah's ad valorem vehicle tax — at registration, generally $10 to $200 depending on the vehicle's age. Ask the DMV what documentation a family-transfer exemption requires.

Does Utah still require a safety or emissions inspection at sale?

Utah dropped its statewide annual safety inspection in 2018, so most passenger vehicle sales no longer trigger a safety check. Six counties — Cache, Davis, Salt Lake, Utah, Weber, and Box Elder — still require safety inspections on commercial vehicles and rebuilt-salvage titles. Emissions testing is the bigger concern for buyers along the Wasatch Front: Davis, Salt Lake, Utah, and Weber counties require an emissions certificate to register or renew, and the test must be current when you apply for title transfer. Outside those four counties, no emissions test is required.

Do I need to notarize a Utah vehicle bill of sale?

No. The Utah DMV says no notary is needed to sign off on a title, and it states no notary requirement for the bill of sale — the seller's signature is what it requires. Some parties still notarize high-value sales for their own records; a notary stamp can help if a dispute later arises over the purchase price or the date of sale, since the bill-of-sale date records when the vehicle changed hands.