Free Wisconsin Free Printable Bill of Sale
Wisconsin does not require a bill of sale (WisDOT calls its form a convenience), but buyers must complete Form MV1 (Application for Title/License Plates) and submit it to the DMV to obtain a new title and registration. Newly purchased vehicles must pass a safety inspection before they can be registered for the first time in the buyer's name, and no notarization is required on the bill of sale. If the vehicle will be driven, WisDOT says to title and register it within two business days after purchase.
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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 →
Wisconsin Free Printable Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know
Primary Form
Standard bill of sale
Agency
WisDOT DMV
Wisconsin Department of Transportation - Division of Motor Vehicles
Primary ID Field
VIN
Sales Tax
5%
Title Required
Yes
Inspection
Required
Wisconsin Free Printable Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist
- Print the bill of sale with the vehicle's VIN, year, make, model, odometer reading, sale price, sale date, and full legal names, addresses, and signatures of both parties
- Download and complete Form MV1 (Application for Title/License Plates) from the WisDOT website — required even though a bill of sale is optional
- Seller signs the title assignment and odometer disclosure section on the back of the existing Wisconsin title
- Buyer schedules and passes a Wisconsin safety inspection at a licensed station for initial registration of the vehicle
- Submit the signed title, completed MV1, the bill of sale if you used one (it is optional), inspection certificate, and photo ID to a DMV service center
- Pay 5% Wisconsin sales tax on the purchase price at the DMV
- If the vehicle will be driven, complete the title and registration within two business days after purchase
Common Pitfalls
- The safety inspection is required for initial registration — the DMV will not register the vehicle in the buyer's name without a passing inspection certificate
- Form MV1 is mandatory even though the bill of sale is optional; arriving at the DMV without it means a rejected application and an additional trip
- Wisconsin's odometer disclosure requirements are embedded in the title assignment section — skipping or incorrectly completing this section can void the transfer
- Paying to notarize the bill of sale — WisDOT's seller steps include no notary step
- Assuming Wisconsin allows 30 days — WisDOT says a vehicle that will be driven should be titled and registered within two business days after purchase
Wisconsin Free Printable Bill of Sale — FAQs
Does Wisconsin require a specific bill of sale form?
No. WisDOT says its bill of sale is provided for convenience and is not a required form. Form MV1 (Application for Title/License Plates) is the mandatory companion form that must be submitted to the DMV to actually transfer the title.
Does a Wisconsin bill of sale need to be notarized?
No. WisDOT's seller steps include no notary step: the seller signs and dates the title assignment, and both parties simply sign the bill of sale if they use one.
Is a safety inspection required when buying a used car in Wisconsin?
Yes, for initial registration. Wisconsin requires a safety inspection before a vehicle can be registered for the first time under a new owner's name. Buyers should schedule the inspection promptly after the sale.
What is Form MV1 and why is it needed?
MV1 is Wisconsin's combined Application for Title and License Plates. The buyer completes this form and submits it to the DMV along with the signed title (a bill of sale is optional). It is required to transfer the title and obtain new registration — a bill of sale alone is not sufficient.
How much is the sales tax on a private car sale in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin charges 5% state sales tax on the purchase price of a privately sold vehicle. This is collected by the DMV at the time of title transfer and must be paid before the new title and registration are issued.