Free Wyoming Vehicle Bill of Sale
Wyoming keeps vehicle sales simple: a bill of sale is required only in some situations (a bank holds the title, an auction sale, or the county clerk asks for one), Wyoming law sets out a model bill of sale in W.S. 31-2-104(h)(ii), and the 4% base sales tax is among the lowest in the nation. Because Wyoming titles through county offices — the county clerk takes the title application and the county treasurer collects the tax, not a state DMV office — you'll need to know which of the 23 county offices to visit within your 45-day window.
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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 →
Wyoming Vehicle Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know
Primary Form
Standard bill of sale
Primary ID Field
VIN
Sales Tax
4%
Title Required
Yes
For an ordinary private sale, apply for title at the county clerk's office within 45 days (Wyo. Stat. 31-2-201(a)(ii)(D)).
Inspection
Not required
Sales Tax Details
4% state sales/use tax plus local option taxes; most counties collect 5%–6% total. Park and Sublette counties are 4%, and Teton County (Jackson Hole) is 7%. Tax is collected by the county treasurer before first registration — not by the seller.
Inspection Requirements
Wyoming has no statewide safety inspection requirement for private vehicle sales.
Wyoming Vehicle Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist
- Draft a written bill of sale including VIN, year, make, model, odometer reading, sale price, date, and full names and addresses of both buyer and seller.
- Seller signs the back of the title over to the buyer before a notarial officer (notary) and completes the odometer disclosure section (required by federal law for vehicles of model year 2011 or newer).
- If a lienholder appears on the title, obtain a signed lien release before the sale closes.
- Buyer takes the signed title, lien release (if applicable), and a bill of sale if the clerk asks for one to the county clerk's office in the county where the buyer resides.
- Buyer pays state sales tax (4% + local) to the county treasurer before first registration.
- County clerk issues a new Wyoming title in the buyer's name; buyer receives registration plates or transfers existing ones.
- Both parties retain a copy of the bill of sale for at least five years.
Common Pitfalls
- Missing the 45-day window: the buyer may drive on the signed title only during those 45 days (Wyo. Stat. 31-2-201(a)(ii)(D)); after that the vehicle must be titled and registered. and the buyer risks driving with an unregistered vehicle.
- Assuming the seller owes sales tax: in Wyoming casual sales, the buyer pays the tax to the county treasurer — sellers who agree to 'cover tax' in the sale price often miscalculate.
- Forgetting the lien release: a title showing an outstanding lienholder cannot be transferred without a signed release, even if the loan was paid off years ago.
- Odometer disclosure omitted on sub-20-year vehicles: federal law requires disclosure; Odometer disclosure omitted on vehicles that need it: federal law requires the disclosure, and a missing one can stop the title transfer or create liability for the seller. or create liability for the seller.
- Going to the wrong county office: Wyoming titles through the buyer's county of residence, not the county where the sale occurred.
- Only one co-owner signing when the title joins the names with 'and'. Under W.S. 31-2-104(m), 'and' means every co-owner must sign. With 'or', either owner may sign alone, unless the title says joint tenancy with right of survivorship or tenancy by the entirety.
Pro Tip
For the smoothest Wyoming vehicle sale, complete the odometer disclosure on the title at signing, hand the buyer a written bill of sale the same day, and remind them that the clock on their 45-day titling window starts on the sale date shown in the document.
Wyoming Vehicle Bill of Sale — FAQs
Does Wyoming have an official bill of sale form for vehicles?
Wyoming law sets out the substance of a vehicle bill of sale in W.S. 31-2-104(h)(ii), and a county clerk may require a bill of sale that substantially conforms with that form. A bill of sale is required when a bank holds the title at delivery, for auction sales, or when the clerk asks for one. Include the VIN, odometer reading, sale price, date, and signatures of both parties, and check with your county clerk for any current form.
Who pays sales tax on a private car sale in Wyoming?
The buyer pays the sales tax to the county treasurer before the vehicle's first registration — not to the seller. The rate is 4% state tax plus local option taxes, bringing most counties to 5%–6%; Park and Sublette counties are 4%, and Teton County is 7%.
Where do I go to transfer a vehicle title in Wyoming?
Wyoming titles are processed at the county clerk's office in the county where the buyer resides. There is no state DMV office for this transaction; the county treasurer collects the sales tax before first registration. Bring the signed title, lien release if applicable, a bill of sale if the clerk asks for one, and payment for taxes and fees.
Is a vehicle inspection required for a private sale in Wyoming?
No. Wyoming has no statewide safety inspection or emissions test requirement for private vehicle transfers. The buyer assumes the vehicle as-is unless the bill of sale includes a specific warranty.
How many days can you drive on a bill of sale in Wyoming?
It depends on the sale. In an ordinary private sale, the buyer has 45 days to register. During those 45 days, the buyer may drive only with a properly signed-over title, not a bill of sale alone. If the bank still holds the title, or the car was sold at auction, the buyer has 60 days. In that case, the buyer may drive with a signed bill of sale that follows the form in W.S. 31-2-104(h)(ii). Both rules are in W.S. 31-2-201(a)(ii).
What must a Wyoming statutory bill of sale say?
The form in W.S. 31-2-104(h)(ii) lists the seller's printed name, the date, and the vehicle's color, year, make, model and VIN. It names the buyer and the price, and says who holds the title. It promises the buyer a lien-free title within 30 days, and the seller signs under penalty of perjury. The seller also adds an address, phone number and driver license or ID number. W.S. 31-2-104(f) makes knowingly false or incomplete information a misdemeanor, with up to a $750 fine, six months in jail, or both.
Do Wyoming county bill of sale forms need a notary?
The county forms that rank for this search all carry a notary block: Campbell, Carbon, Sublette and Teton counties each print one. Teton County's form lets a notary public, the county clerk or the county treasurer take the acknowledgment, and it has a 'gift of plate' line. Carbon County's form also asks for the seller's phone and driver license number. Use the form from the buyer's county clerk when one is posted.
What happens to the license plates when you sell a vehicle in Wyoming?
Under W.S. 31-2-214, the registration expires when the vehicle changes hands, and the seller must take the plates off right away. The seller can move them to another vehicle bought within 60 days, with credit for the unused part of the old fees. There is a family exception: for a transfer between joint owners, or to a spouse, child, brother, sister or parent, the county treasurer can issue a new registration and the same plates stay on for the rest of the year.
How does an out-of-state buyer drive a car home from Wyoming?
A buyer who did not buy from a Wyoming dealer can get a one-time in-transit permit from the county treasurer for $20. It is good for 48 hours, only to take the vehicle out of the state, and the buyer must show proof of insurance. A longer option is a temporary registration permit for up to 90 days, limited to one per 12 months. Its fee is a share of the annual registration fee: one-tenth for 30 days, two-tenths for 60, three-tenths for 90 (W.S. 31-2-201(k) and (m)).