Free Texas Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale Form (TxDMV 2026 PDF)

Q: Is a bill of sale legally required to sell a car in Texas?

While Texas does not strictly require a bill of sale to transfer vehicle ownership if you have a properly executed Certificate of Title and TxDMV Form 130-U, having a signed Bill of Sale is strongly advised by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV). A bill of sale establishes legal proof of purchase price for sales tax calculation, details the vehicle condition (such as 'As-Is' warranty waivers), provides odometer disclosure, and serves as vital evidence if the sales price differs from the state's Standard Presumptive Value (SPV).

Q: Does a Texas vehicle bill of sale need to be notarized?

In Texas, a standard private motor vehicle bill of sale does not legally require notarization unless requested by the County Tax Assessor-Collector's office or if the transfer involves a gift (which requires TxDMV Form 14-317 Affidavit of Motor Vehicle Gift Transfer to be notarized). However, notarizing the Bill of Sale provides undeniable proof of the parties' identities and execution date, significantly reducing fraud risks and title disputes.

Q: What is the difference between a Texas Bill of Sale and TxDMV Form 130-U?

TxDMV Form 130-U ('Application for Texas Title and/or Registration') is the mandatory statutory state document that the buyer must submit to the County Tax Assessor-Collector to transfer the title and pay sales tax. A Bill of Sale (such as Form SBF-TX-130) is the private contract of sale between the buyer and seller outlining financial terms, payment method, warranty disclaimers (As-Is), and mutual liability releases that Form 130-U does not cover.

Q: How do I protect myself from liability after selling a vehicle in Texas?

To immediately eliminate liability for toll violations, parking tickets, and accidents caused by the buyer, the seller must submit a TxDMV Vehicle Transfer Notification (Form VTR-346) online or by mail within 30 days of the sale date. Retaining a signed, dated copy of this Texas Vehicle Bill of Sale provides your primary evidentiary proof of the exact transfer date and time.

Q: How is Texas motor vehicle sales tax calculated on a private vehicle sale?

Texas imposes a 6.25% motor vehicle sales and use tax. Under Texas Tax Code § 152.0412, when a vehicle is bought through a private party, tax is calculated on the higher of the actual purchase price stated on the Bill of Sale or 80% of the state's Standard Presumptive Value (SPV). If the purchase price is lower than 80% of the SPV due to mechanical defects or heavy wear, the buyer must obtain a certified appraisal (Form 14-128) within 30 days of the purchase date to pay tax on the lower actual price.

FORM SBF-TX-130 Statutory Year: 2026

Tex. Transp. Code § 501.001 et seq.

STATE OF TEXAS STATUTORY BILL OF SALE

Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale & Federal Odometer Disclosure Statement

Compliant with Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) Guidelines & Form 130-U Title Standards

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS: That the undersigned Seller, for and in consideration of the total sales price set forth herein, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby formally acknowledged, does hereby bargain, sell, grant, transfer, and deliver unto the undersigned Buyer all legal rights, title, equity, and interest in and to the motor vehicle described below, to have and to hold forever.

Section A: Jurisdiction & Location of Sale State of Texas

State:

Texas County *:

Section B: Complete Motor Vehicle Description

Year *

Make *

Model *

Body Style

Color

Plate #

Vehicle Identification Number (VIN - 17 Characters) *:

Section C: Identification of Parties (Transferor & Transferee)

1. SELLER (Transferor Information) Physical address only

Full Legal Name *

Physical Address (No P.O. Box) *

City *

State

ZIP Code *

Phone Number

Driver License #

2. BUYER (Transferee Information) Must match Form 130-U

Full Legal Name *

Physical Address (No P.O. Box) *

City *

State

ZIP Code *

Phone Number

Driver License #

Section D: Financial Consideration & Federal Truth-in-Mileage Odometer Disclosure

Price (USD) *:

Date *:

Paid by: Cash Cashier's Check Wire Gift

Federal & Texas Odometer Statement (49 U.S.C. § 32705 & Tex. Transp. Code § 501.072) Federal law requires mileage disclosure. False statements incur fines or imprisonment.

Odometer Reading:

Miles

1. Actual Mileage: Reflects actual vehicle mileage to best of knowledge. 2. Exceeds Limits: Mileage exceeds mechanical odometer limits (rollover). 3. Warning — Discrepancy: Odometer reading is NOT the actual mileage.

Statutory "AS-IS" Warranty Disclaimer & Mutual Waiver (Texas Business & Commerce Code § 2.316)

SOLD STRICTLY AS-IS, WHERE-IS: The Buyer agrees that this vehicle is sold in its present "AS-IS, WHERE-IS" condition, WITH ALL FAULTS AND DEFECTS, WHETHER KNOWN OR UNKNOWN. The Seller disclaims all warranties, express or implied, including merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. Seller assumes no liability for repairs or defects after delivery. Buyer acknowledges having inspected or having waived the right to inspect.

Section E: Authorized Signatures & Certification Under Penalty of Perjury

I, the Seller, certify under penalty of perjury under Texas law that I am lawful owner with full authority to sell this vehicle, free of liens except as noted. I, the Buyer, acknowledge vehicle acceptance and receipt of Certificate of Title.

Seller (Transferor) Signature Must match title

Signature: ✕

Seller Printed Name

Date

Buyer (Transferee) Signature Must match title

Signature: ✕

Buyer Printed Name

Date

Section F: State of Texas Notary Public Acknowledgment / Jurat Recommended by TxDMV; Required for Contested Transfers or Gifts

STATE OF TEXAS COUNTY OF:

Before me, the undersigned notary, personally appeared Seller and/or Buyer named above, known or proven through government photo ID to be the person(s) subscribed hereto, and acknowledged executing same for purposes expressed.

Notary Public Signature

MM/DD/YYYY

My Commission Expires

★ Affix Notary Seal / Stamp Here

FORM SBF-TX-130 (Rev. 2026) • StateBillForms.com Texas Transportation Code § 501 • Keep for vehicle tax records PAGE 1 OF 1

Official Process

TxDMV 3-Step Private Vehicle Title Transfer Guide

Follow Texas statutory requirements to complete your private car sale and prevent liability for toll fees or parking tickets.

Sign Title & Form SBF-TX-130

The seller signs off on the original Texas Certificate of Title with date and certified odometer reading. Both parties execute this 1-page statutory Bill of Sale.

Seller Files VTR-346 Notice

Under Texas Transportation Code § 501.147, the seller files TxDMV Form VTR-346 online within 30 days to permanently release civil liability.

Buyer Visits County Tax Office

Within 30 days, the buyer submits title, Bill of Sale, TxDMV Form 130-U, insurance proof, and pays the 6.25% motor vehicle sales tax.

Statutory Summary

Texas Vehicle Sale Legal Requirements

Document / Requirement	Governing Statute	Status	Statutory Purpose
Texas Certificate of Title	Tex. Transp. Code § 501.021	Mandatory	Legal ownership document; seller releases ownership on back.
TxDMV Form 130-U	Tex. Transp. Code § 501.023	Mandatory	State application for title registration filed by buyer.
Form SBF-TX-130 Bill of Sale	Tex. Tax Code § 152.0412	Recommended	Contract proving sales price for tax audits and As-Is warranty waiver.
Odometer Statement	49 U.S.C. § 32705 / 49 CFR 580	Mandatory (<20 yrs)	Statutory truth in mileage statement.
Transfer Notice (VTR-346)	Tex. Transp. Code § 501.147	Recommended	Releases seller from civil and toll liability after vehicle sale.

FAQs

Texas Vehicle Bill of Sale Legal FAQs

Is a Bill of Sale legally required to sell a car in Texas?

Does a Texas vehicle bill of sale need to be notarized?

What is the difference between a Texas Bill of Sale and TxDMV Form 130-U?

How do I protect myself from liability after selling a vehicle in Texas?

How is Texas motor vehicle sales tax calculated on a private vehicle sale?