Nevada Vehicle Bill of Sale

Introduction

Key Things to Know

1. 1

   Nevada publishes an official DMV form, the Bill of Sale Form VP-104. On the VP-104 the seller certifies that he is the lawful owner of said vehicle, that he has the right to sell it, and that he will warrant and defend the title against the claims and demands of all persons. The form states that signatures must be originals and that photocopies are not acceptable. The VP-104 is optional supplementary documentation, not standalone proof of ownership. Confirm the current revision on the Nevada DMV forms library.

2. 2

   A Nevada vehicle bill of sale does not need to be notarized. The official VP-104 provides only seller and buyer signature lines and contains no notary or acknowledgment block, and Nevada does not require the vehicle bill of sale or a private-party title transfer to be notarized. The signature lines must carry original signatures, since the form states that photocopies are not acceptable.

3. 3

   The odometer is disclosed on the title, not the bill of sale. The Nevada DMV requires you to complete the Odometer Reading section of the title on any 2011 model year or newer vehicle at the time of sale or transfer, following the federal rule that odometer disclosures are required until vehicles are 20 years old. A 2010 or older vehicle may check the exempt box.

4. 4

   Private-party sales are not charged sales or use tax. The Nevada DMV states that sales taxes are not charged on private-party vehicle sales, family sales, or gifts. Nevada does not assess sales or use tax on a casual sale between private parties, so the price on the bill of sale does not generate a sales-tax bill at registration.

5. 5

   You register at a Nevada DMV office within 30 days of purchase. The controlling authority is the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles, 555 Wright Way, Carson City, NV 89711. Register the vehicle at a DMV office within 30 days of the purchase, and bring the title, because a bill of sale by itself is not an acceptable proof of ownership for registration.

6. 6

   The bill of sale is supplementary, and the title is what proves ownership. A bill of sale by itself is not an acceptable proof of ownership for registration, so the seller must provide a title in their name. The Nevada DMV advises not to purchase a vehicle from a private party unless the seller can provide a title in their name. For a 2010 or older vehicle without a title, a duplicate-title application plus the VP-104 may be completed at a DMV office.

7. 7

   The Nevada difference is the Governmental Services Tax in place of sales tax. Because private-party sales are not taxed, Nevada instead charges an annual Governmental Services Tax. The DMV valuation starts at 35% of the original MSRP, is reduced 5% after year 1 and 10% per year after, with a floor at 15% of that valuation, and the tax is 4% of the depreciated valuation. It funds local governments, school districts, and the state General Fund, and it is computed off MSRP, not off the bill-of-sale price.

Nevada Requirements for Bill of Sale

• Official DMV Form VP-104

  Nevada publishes the Bill of Sale Form VP-104 through the DMV. On it the seller certifies lawful ownership, the right to sell, and that he will warrant and defend the title against the claims and demands of all persons. The VP-104 is optional, supplementary documentation, not standalone proof of ownership. Confirm the current revision on the Nevada DMV forms library.

• Original Signatures, No Notarization

  The VP-104 provides only seller and buyer signature lines and contains no notary block, and Nevada does not require the vehicle bill of sale or private-party title transfer to be notarized. Signatures must be originals, because the form states that photocopies are not acceptable.

• Vehicle Description and VIN

  Identify the vehicle by VIN, year, make, model, body type, and color, and identify the seller and buyer by name and address, with the sale price and the date of sale, so the bill of sale matches the title being assigned.

• Odometer Disclosed on the Title

  The Nevada DMV requires you to complete the Odometer Reading section of the title on any 2011 model year or newer vehicle at the time of sale, following the federal rule that disclosures are required until vehicles are 20 years old. A 2010 or older vehicle may check the exempt box. The odometer is disclosed on the title, not on the bill of sale.

• No Sales or Use Tax on Private-Party Sales

  The Nevada DMV states that sales taxes are not charged on private-party vehicle sales, family sales, or gifts. Nevada does not assess sales or use tax on a casual sale between private parties, so the price on the bill of sale does not generate a sales-tax bill at registration.

• Annual Governmental Services Tax Off MSRP

  In place of sales tax, Nevada charges an annual Governmental Services Tax. The DMV valuation starts at 35% of the original MSRP, is reduced 5% after year 1 and 10% per year after, with a floor at 15%, and the tax is 4% of the depreciated valuation, funding local governments, school districts, and the state General Fund. It is computed off MSRP, not off the bill-of-sale price.

• Register With the Nevada DMV Within 30 Days

  Register the vehicle at a Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles office, 555 Wright Way, Carson City, NV 89711, within 30 days of the purchase. A bill of sale by itself is not an acceptable proof of ownership for registration, so the seller must provide a title in their name, and the DMV advises not to buy from a private party who cannot provide one.

• Title in the Seller's Name Is the Proof of Ownership

  Ownership is proved by the title, not the bill of sale, so the buyer must receive a title in the seller's name to register. For a 2010 or older vehicle without a title, a duplicate-title application plus the VP-104 may be completed at a DMV office. Keep the VP-104 as supporting documentation alongside the endorsed title.