A used-car bill of sale in Virginia documents a private-party transfer between two non-dealer owners and works alongside the assigned title and VSA 17A to complete the DMV transaction. Because the 4.15% SUT is calculated from the declared price — and a price more than $1,500 below NADA trade-in value needs a price document — the bill of sale should clearly state the agreed price, the as-is condition, and the odometer reading. Buyers must complete titling within 30 days and ensure the vehicle has a valid annual safety inspection sticker before driving it.
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 →
Virginia Used Car Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know
Used cars require the seller to assign the existing Virginia title to the buyer with a federal odometer disclosure (mandatory for vehicles of model year 2011 or newer). The buyer files the assigned title with VSA 17A within 30 days. A separate bill of sale supports the price declared for SUT and is required when the seller does not record the price on the title.
Inspection
Required
Sales Tax Details
Used vehicles are subject to the same 4.15% Motor Vehicle Sales and Use Tax with a $75 minimum. If the declared price is more than $1,500 below NADA trade-in value, Virginia DMV requires a price document (SUT 1A for vehicles 5 model years old or less, SUT 1 or a similar bill of sale for older vehicles).
Exemption: A gift to the transferor's spouse, son, daughter, or parent is exempt from SUT (Va. Code §58.1-2403); other relationships are not on that list. Ask Virginia DMV about any other exemption before assuming a transfer is tax-free.
Inspection Requirements
Used cars must carry a current Virginia annual safety inspection sticker before being driven. If the existing sticker is expired or close to expiring, get the car inspected immediately at any state-certified station. Emissions testing applies in Northern Virginia, Richmond, Fredericksburg, and Hampton Roads.
Registration
Registration for this vehicle type is handled by Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (Virginia DMV) — not the same agency that handles cars in Virginia. Plan for separate filings.
Virginia Used Car Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist
Verify the seller's name on the title matches their photo ID before money changes hands
Complete federal odometer disclosure on the title assignment for vehicles of model year 2011 or newer
Write a bill of sale with VIN, year, make, model, mileage, price, date, and "as-is" language
File VSA 17A at Virginia DMV within 30 days, paying 4.15% SUT (minimum $75) and title fees
Confirm or obtain a current Virginia annual safety inspection sticker
Complete biennial emissions if garaged in Northern Virginia, Richmond, Fredericksburg, or Hampton Roads
Register with the local commissioner of revenue for annual personal property tax
Common Pitfalls
Buying without verifying the title is in the seller's name — a common curbstoning red flag
Skipping odometer disclosure on the title and getting the transfer rejected at the DMV counter
Declaring a price more than $1,500 below NADA trade-in value without the price document DMV asks for (SUT 1A, or SUT 1 or a similar bill of sale for older vehicles)
Driving the car home before getting an annual safety inspection sticker
Forgetting Virginia charges annual personal property tax on top of the upfront 4.15% SUT
Letting the 30-day titling window lapse, which adds late penalties to the existing SUT bill
Pro Tip
Keep the signed title, bill of sale, VSA 17A receipt, and Virginia inspection slip together. They are the paper trail you will need for SUT questions, personal property tax registration, and any future resale.
Virginia Used Car Bill of Sale — FAQs
Do I have to use a specific Virginia bill of sale form for a used car?
No. Virginia does not publish a numbered bill of sale form. A bill of sale is required when the seller does not record the sale price on the title, and DMV lists it among the proofs of purchase price (along with a buyer's order or the seller's declared price on the title). Include the year, make, model, VIN, sale price, date of sale, odometer reading, and signatures of buyer and seller; no notarization is needed. The price line and the date of sale should be unambiguous and match the title assignment.
What happens if the seller wrote a low price on the bill of sale to save me tax?
It can backfire. If the reported price is more than $1,500 below the vehicle's NADA trade-in value, Virginia DMV requires a price document — the Affidavit of Vehicle Purchase Price (SUT 1A) for vehicles 5 model years old or less, or SUT 1 or a similar bill of sale for older vehicles. The cleanest path is to declare the actual price and keep the bill of sale, photos, and any inspection reports that explain a genuinely low price.
Can I drive a used car home in Virginia without doing the safety inspection first?
Only briefly. Virginia law requires every registered vehicle to display a current state safety inspection sticker on the windshield. If the car you just bought has an expired or missing sticker, drive directly to a state-certified inspection station — police can ticket on sight for an expired sticker, and the violation appears on your driving record. You should not run errands or commute in the vehicle until it passes inspection. Schedule the appointment for the day of purchase if possible.
What if the seller has lost the Virginia title?
They must apply for a duplicate title before they can sell to you. Virginia DMV issues duplicates using Form VSA 67 (Application for Duplicate or Substitute Certificate of Title); it usually arrives by mail within about 15 business days. Do not accept a bill of sale alone — without an assigned Virginia title, you cannot complete VSA 17A, you cannot pay SUT, and DMV cannot issue plates. A "title pending" promise from the seller is a common scam; insist that they get the duplicate first or that you both go to DMV together.
Will my insurance cover the used car the moment I buy it?
Most Virginia auto policies extend coverage to a newly acquired vehicle for a short grace period (often 14 to 30 days), but you must notify the insurer to keep coverage active beyond that. Virginia also requires you to certify financial responsibility (insurance, surety bond, or the uninsured motor vehicle fee) at titling. Call your insurer before driving the car home, get the binder in writing, and bring proof of insurance to Virginia DMV when you file VSA 17A. Driving uninsured in Virginia carries license suspension and reinstatement fees.