Vermont Bill of Sale — Free Template & Generator
Vermont asks for a bill of sale on every private sale. The DMV lists a “Bill of Sale & Odometer Disclosure Statement” among the documents the buyer must get from the seller, next to a properly assigned title. For a 2009-or-older vehicle, the bill of sale matters more still: Vermont does not require a title for it, so the seller hands over the registration certificate “and a signed bill of sale,” and the new owner gets a title at registration.
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- Word & PDF
- Vermont pre-selected
How it works
- 01 Vermont is already selected
The governing-law clause names the state; change it only if the sale happens elsewhere.
- 02 Enter the item and the parties
Vehicle, boat or general item — VIN and odometer, or HIN — plus price, payment method, seller and buyer.
- 03 Review clause by clause
The as-is terms, the seller’s title warranty and, for vehicles, the federal odometer statement.
- 04 Download, then file Vermont’s paperwork
Word & PDF on your device; the state steps and forms are listed below, each cited to the source.
What Vermont actually requires
Vermont rules for a private sale
Last verified September 30, 2026- What the buyer must get Assigned title + bill of sale & odometer statement
For a vehicle purchased in a private sale, the buyer submits a “Properly assigned title” — “All owners listed on the title must sign as sellers in the assignment of ownership section on the back of the title. The new owner’s name must be entered on the ‘transferred to’ line, and any liens listed must be released” — plus a VIN verification if the title is branded salvage, and the “Bill of Sale & Odometer Disclosure Statement.”
- Older vehicles 2009 and older: registration + signed bill of sale
Vermont title law changed on July 1, 2024 (Act 165). Under the DMV’s current guide, if you have a Vermont registration in your name and the vehicle is a 2009 or older, “You are not required to obtain a title for your vehicle. If you sell this vehicle, provide the buyer with your Vermont registration certificate and a signed bill of sale. The new owner will obtain a title when they complete their registration.” The DMV still recommends a title if the buyer will register out of state.
- Purchase and use tax On the price or the J.D. Power value, whichever is greater
Purchase and use tax “is due at the time of registration and/or titling. It is calculated as a percentage of the purchase price or the J.D. Power clean trade-in value—whichever is greater—minus the value of any trade-in vehicle or other allowable credits.” If registering by mail, include a J.D. Power valuation dated within the last seven days.
- Salvage disclosure Must appear on the bill of sale — or the buyer can demand a refund
VT-005 quotes the rule: written disclosure that a vehicle has been salvaged, salvaged and rebuilt, or totaled “shall also be conspicuously disclosed on any bill of sale, transfer, purchase or other agreement,” and “Failure of the seller to provide the notices required by this section shall result in the seller being required, at the option of the buyer, to refund to the buyer the purchase price, including taxes, license fees and similar governmental charges.”
Vermont DMV — VT-005, Bill of Sale and Odometer Disclosure Statement
- Odometer Model year 2011 and newer, for 20 years
VT-005 says an odometer disclosure statement must be submitted for vehicles model year 2011 and newer, self-propelled, with a registered weight of 16,000 lbs. or less, and that “As of January 1, 2021, vehicles of model year 2011 and newer are subject to odometer disclosure for 20 years.” Signatures from both buyer and seller are required on the statement.
How this document fits Vermont’s paperwork
Official form: VT-005 — Bill of Sale and Odometer Disclosure Statement. Page one is the bill of sale: vehicle, odometer, price and date, a salvage/rebuilt/totaled disclosure section, and the seller’s statement that the vehicle is free of all liens. “If vehicle is jointly owned, both owners must sign.” Page two is the odometer disclosure, where one seller signature suffices for joint owners.
Vermont expects a bill of sale on a private sale, and on a 2009-or-older vehicle it does most of the work, alongside the registration certificate. The generated document records the price, date, odometer and terms; VT-005 is the DMV’s version with the odometer statement on the back. If the vehicle was ever salvaged, rebuilt or totaled, say so in the “known defects or history” field, which prints as its own Seller’s Disclosures clause — Vermont lets the buyer demand a full refund if you do not. The buyer pays purchase and use tax on the price or the J.D. Power value, whichever is higher.
FAQ
Vermont bill of sale questions
- Is a bill of sale required in Vermont?
- Yes, for a private sale. The Vermont DMV lists a Bill of Sale & Odometer Disclosure Statement among the documents the buyer must obtain from the seller, together with the properly assigned title. For a 2009-or-older vehicle with a Vermont registration, the seller gives the buyer the registration certificate and a signed bill of sale instead of a title.
- Does Vermont still exempt older cars from titles?
- The rules changed on July 1, 2024, under Act 165. The DMV’s current guide says a Vermont-registered vehicle that is a 2009 or older does not require a title; the seller gives the buyer the registration certificate and a signed bill of sale, and the new owner obtains a title when registering.
- How is Vermont purchase and use tax calculated on a private sale?
- As a percentage of the purchase price or the J.D. Power clean trade-in value, whichever is greater, minus any trade-in or other allowable credits. It is due when the vehicle is registered or titled. The DMV’s online tax estimator gives the figure in advance.
- Do both owners have to sign a Vermont bill of sale?
- On the bill of sale page of VT-005, yes: “If vehicle is jointly owned, both owners must sign.” On the odometer disclosure page of the same form, one seller signature is enough for joint owners. On the title, all owners listed must sign as sellers.
- What happens if I do not disclose that a car was salvaged?
- Vermont requires the salvaged, rebuilt or totaled status to be conspicuously disclosed on any bill of sale as well as on the title. If the seller fails to give the notice, the seller must, at the buyer’s option, refund the purchase price including taxes, license fees and similar charges.
- Is this legal advice?
- No. Free Contract Generator provides self-help templates and general information, not legal advice, and no attorney-client relationship is created. Vehicle-transfer rules are set by each state and change; confirm the current rule with the agency cited and consult a licensed attorney for advice about your situation.