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Free Virginia Vehicle Bill of Sale

Virginia treats the certificate of title as the legal proof of ownership and uses Form VSA 17A to title and register a private-sale vehicle. A bill of sale is not the title itself but is critical evidence of the transaction, especially for documenting the price that drives the 4.15% Motor Vehicle Sales and Use Tax with $75 minimum. Buyers must title within 30 days of purchase or face penalties, and the vehicle must carry a current annual safety inspection sticker before it can be legally driven.

Virginia Requirements: Transfer title within 30 days. 4.15% sales tax.

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Virginia Vehicle Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know

Primary Form
VSA 17A
Application for Certificate of Title and Registration
Agency
Virginia DMV
Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles
Primary ID Field
VIN
Sales Tax
0.0415%
Title Required
Yes
Seller must sign over the Virginia title in the assignment section, including the odometer reading and sale price. Buyer files VSA 17A with the signed title at any Virginia DMV customer service center within 30 days. Form VSA 5 (Bill of Sale) is recommended supporting documentation but does not replace the signed title.
Inspection
Required

Sales Tax Details

Virginia charges a 4.15% Motor Vehicle Sales and Use Tax (SUT) on the greater of the sale price or trade-in value, with a $75 minimum. The SUT replaces the general sales tax on motor vehicles and is collected by DMV at titling.

Exemption: Transfers between immediate family (spouse, parent, child, sibling, grandparent, grandchild) are exempt from SUT when accompanied by a signed Purchaser's Statement of Tax Exemption (SUT 1). Gifts also qualify when properly documented.

Inspection Requirements

Virginia requires a mandatory annual safety inspection at a state-certified inspection station; the sticker must be affixed to the windshield. Vehicles registered in Northern Virginia, Richmond, Fredericksburg, and Hampton Roads must also pass an emissions inspection every two years. Driving without a valid sticker is a moving violation.

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 Vehicle Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist

  1. Seller signs the Virginia title assignment with full odometer disclosure and sale price
  2. Both parties sign a bill of sale (VSA 5 or equivalent) listing VIN, year, make, model, price, and date
  3. Buyer files VSA 17A at a Virginia DMV customer service center within 30 days
  4. Pay 4.15% SUT (or $75 minimum) plus title fee and registration; bring SUT 1 if claiming family exemption
  5. Schedule the annual Virginia safety inspection within the validity window of the current sticker
  6. If garaged in Northern Virginia, Richmond, Fredericksburg, or Hampton Roads, complete biennial emissions
  7. Register the vehicle with the local commissioner of revenue for annual personal property tax billing

Common Pitfalls

  • Missing the 30-day titling window triggers penalties and a backdated SUT assessment from Virginia DMV
  • Forgetting that Virginia's 4.15% SUT has a $75 floor, so even cheap cars owe at least $75
  • Skipping the annual safety inspection — police routinely cite expired stickers visible on the windshield
  • Failing to register with the local commissioner of revenue, leading to surprise back-billed personal property tax
  • Assuming a notarized bill of sale replaces a signed title — Virginia DMV will reject the transfer
  • Not filing SUT 1 for a family transfer and being charged 4.15% SUT that is hard to refund afterward

Pro Tip

Save the signed title, your VSA 17A receipt, the bill of sale, and the SUT calculation together. You will need them for the local commissioner of revenue, for any future SUT exemption appeal, and if you sell the vehicle again later.

Virginia Vehicle Bill of Sale — FAQs

How much is sales tax on a private vehicle sale in Virginia?
Virginia charges a 4.15% Motor Vehicle Sales and Use Tax on the higher of the sale price or the trade-in value, with a $75 minimum. The tax is collected by Virginia DMV when the buyer titles the vehicle, and it replaces the regular state sales tax. A bill of sale is the primary evidence DMV uses to verify the price; if the declared price looks unrealistically low, DMV may use the National Automobile Dealers Association clean trade-in value to calculate the tax instead.
Do I need a Virginia state inspection right after I buy a used car?
Yes. Every vehicle registered in Virginia must pass an annual safety inspection at a state-certified inspection station, and the dated sticker must be visible on the windshield. If the car you bought has an expired or missing sticker, you must get it inspected before driving it on public roads beyond the trip home. In Northern Virginia, Richmond, Fredericksburg, and Hampton Roads you must also complete an emissions test every two years, which is separate from the safety inspection.
How long do I have to title a vehicle in Virginia after buying it?
Virginia gives you 30 days from the date of purchase to title and register the vehicle with Virginia DMV. Missing that deadline means a late titling penalty and possible interest on the unpaid 4.15% SUT. The clock starts on the date of sale shown on the title assignment and the bill of sale, so make sure both documents are dated consistently. You file VSA 17A along with the assigned title, your bill of sale, and proof of Virginia insurance at any DMV customer service center.
Can I gift a car to a family member in Virginia without paying tax?
Yes. Transfers between immediate family — spouse, parent, child, sibling, grandparent, or grandchild — are exempt from the 4.15% Motor Vehicle Sales and Use Tax. Both parties must sign Form SUT 1 (Purchaser's Statement of Tax Exemption) and submit it with VSA 17A and the assigned title. Without the SUT 1, Virginia DMV will assess full SUT and you will need to file a refund claim afterward, which is slow. The relationship still has to be documented; cousins and in-laws do not qualify.
Will I owe annual personal property tax on the car I just bought?
Almost certainly. Virginia is one of the few states that charges an annual local personal property tax on vehicles, billed by the city or county where the vehicle is garaged. The rate, valuation method, and any state Personal Property Tax Relief credit vary by locality, but expect a yearly bill. After titling, register the vehicle with your local commissioner of revenue (or use the form your locality requires) within 30 to 60 days. Forgetting this step leads to back-billing and late penalties when the locality discovers the new registration through DMV data.

Other Virginia Templates

🚗Car Bill of Sale🚙Used Car Bill of Sale🏍️Motorcycle Bill of Sale⛵Boat Bill of Sale🚛Trailer Bill of Sale🐴Horse Bill of Sale🏎️ATV Bill of Sale🔫Gun / Firearm Bill of Sale🏕️RV Bill of Sale📄General Bill of Sale🖨️Free Printable Bill of Sale📏Odometer Disclosure Bill of Sale⚠️As-Is Bill of Sale🎁Gift Bill of Sale

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