Pennsylvania Car Bill of Sale Template

A Bill of Sale is not required for registration in Pennsylvania. PennDOT does not provide a dedicated form for a standard private vehicle transfer.

However, a signed Bill of Sale can still help by:

• Confirming the purchase price and sale date.
• Recording the buyer, seller, and vehicle details.
• Documenting additional terms, such as an "as-is" sale when applicable.

Pennsylvania may also request a Bill of Sale in specific circumstances, such as when the Department of Revenue asks for evidence of the purchase price.

A BOS should always contain the information needed to identify the parties, vehicle, and transaction, such as the:

• Buyer's and seller's full names, addresses, and phone numbers.
• Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), year, make, and model.
• Date of sale and purchase price.
• Verification of sales tax paid, if applicable.
• Buyer and seller signatures.

Review the sample below to see how to organize the main transaction details in your legal document.

For a private sale, PennDOT recommends that the buyer and seller meet at a notary, tag service, or motor vehicle dealer to complete the title transfer correctly.

The buyer must submit the title-transfer documentation to PennDOT within 20 days of notarization.

Required Vehicle Registration Forms in Pennsylvania

To register a used vehicle with a Pennsylvania title, you will need:

• Properly assigned Pennsylvania Certificate of Title
• Form MV-4ST, Vehicle Sales and Use Tax Return/Application for Registration
• Pennsylvania driver's license or acceptable photo ID
• Proof of insurance
• Odometer information on the title when applicable

For an out-of-state title, PennDOT uses Form MV-1, and the vehicle's VIN must also be verified. If claiming a gift exemption, Form MV-13ST (Affidavit of Gift) must be attached to the title application.

Pennsylvania Vehicle Registration Fees

PennDOT currently lists a $72 original title fee and a $48 one-year passenger vehicle registration fee. Authorized agents may charge separate service fees.

Pennsylvania generally applies a 6% sales tax, with a 7% combined rate in Allegheny County and 8% in the City of Philadelphia.

Participating counties may also charge a $5 annual local use fee for each registered vehicle.

No. Notarization is not required for a Car Bill of Sale in Pennsylvania.

The vehicle title follows a different rule. The seller's signature must be notarized or otherwise verified as part of the ownership-transfer process.