Free Wisconsin Vehicle Bill of Sale
Selling or buying a vehicle in Wisconsin runs through WisDOT DMV, and Wisconsin's bill of sale is optional (WisDOT includes a sample in Form MV2928). Pair it with a properly assigned title and Form MV1 (Wisconsin Title and Registration Application), submit it (within two business days after purchase if the vehicle will be driven), and DMV will collect the 5% state tax (plus county and stadium-area taxes where applicable) when the buyer titles the vehicle. Wisconsin has no statewide safety inspection, but if the buyer lives in the southeast Milwaukee-area emissions zone, a current emissions test matters.
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Wisconsin Vehicle Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know
Sales Tax Details
5% Wisconsin state sales tax applies to the purchase price, plus a 0.5% county sales tax in most counties (0.9% in Milwaukee County) and a 2% city tax in the City of Milwaukee. The old 0.1% Brewers stadium-district tax ended March 31, 2020, and Brown County's football stadium tax ended in 2015. Combined rates run from 5% to 7.9%. Tax is collected by DMV when you title the vehicle, not by the seller.
Exemption: Transfers between qualifying close relatives can be exempt from Wisconsin sales tax; confirm with WisDOT which relationships qualify and how to claim it before assuming no tax is due.
Inspection Requirements
Wisconsin has no statewide vehicle safety inspection for private-party sales. However, vehicles registered in seven southeastern counties — Milwaukee, Waukesha, Kenosha, Ozaukee, Racine, Sheboygan, and Washington — must pass an emissions test every other year: 1996-2006 gas vehicles under 8,501 lbs GVWR and 2007-and-newer vehicles (including diesels) up to 14,000 lbs. A test may also be needed within 45 days of a purchase. Buyers in these counties should verify the vehicle has a current passing emissions test before purchase.
Registration
Registration for this vehicle type is handled by Wisconsin DMV — not the same agency that handles cars in Wisconsin. Plan for separate filings.
Wisconsin Vehicle Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist
- Complete a bill of sale (optional in Wisconsin; WisDOT's sample is in Form MV2928) — buyer, seller, year/make/model, VIN, sale price, odometer, and date
- Seller signs and assigns the Wisconsin Certificate of Title to the buyer (back of title) with odometer disclosure
- Buyer completes Form MV1 (Title and Registration Application) and submits it to WisDOT — within two business days after purchase if the vehicle will be driven
- DMV collects 5% state sales tax plus 0.5% county tax (0.9% in Milwaukee County, plus the 2% city tax in the City of Milwaukee) at titling
- Pay $214.50 title fee plus registration fees
- For Milwaukee-area emissions counties, confirm vehicle has a current passing emissions test
- Seller removes license plates (Wisconsin plates stay with the seller, not the vehicle) and notifies DMV of the sale
Common Pitfalls
- Driving the vehicle without titling and registering it within two business days after purchase — WisDOT's window for a vehicle that will be operated
- Leaving plates on the vehicle for the buyer — Wisconsin plates belong to the owner, not the vehicle, and must be removed
- Forgetting the federal odometer disclosure on vehicles of model year 2011 or newer; a missing odometer statement blocks titling
- Buyers in Milwaukee/Waukesha/Kenosha/Ozaukee/Racine/Sheboygan/Washington counties not realizing they need a passing emissions test before registration
- Assuming a family transfer is tax-free without confirming with WisDOT that the relationship qualifies and how to claim the exemption
Pro Tip
Wisconsin keeps title transfers simple: an optional bill of sale (sample in WisDOT Form MV2928), MV1 for the title application, two business days to title and register if the car will be driven, and 5% tax plus county add-ons collected by DMV. Pull the plates before the buyer drives off — they go with you, not the car.