Selling or buying a vehicle in Idaho? Idaho law requires the seller to file a Release of Liability within 5 days of the sale — and listing a false selling price on the bill of sale is a felony.
This free template is formatted for Idaho’s requirements and works alongside the Certificate of Title at your county assessor’s motor vehicle office.
Click Get This Template below to open it in Google Docs, then click Use Template to save a copy to your Drive.
For templates for all 50 states, visit the Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale Templates →
On this page:
- What Is an Idaho Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale?
- Is a Bill of Sale Required in Idaho?
- Idaho-Specific Requirements
- Free Idaho Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale Template
- How to Fill Out the Template
- How to Transfer a Car Title in Idaho
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Is an Idaho Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale?
An Idaho motor vehicle bill of sale is a written record of a private vehicle sale.
Idaho’s official form is Form ITD 3738. A bill of sale is required if the sales price is not included on the title — it must include the full vehicle description, sales price, buyer’s full legal name, seller’s original signature, and date of sale.
Is a Bill of Sale Required in Idaho?
Idaho law requires a bill of sale for all vehicle transactions unless the sales price is entered directly on the title. In practice, a bill of sale is required for most private party sales and must be submitted with the title transfer application at the county assessor’s motor vehicle office.
Important: Listing a wrong selling price on the title or bill of sale is a felony in Idaho. Always enter the actual agreed price.
Idaho-Specific Requirements
1. 30-Day Deadline
The buyer must file the title transfer documents with a county assessor’s motor vehicle office within 30 days of the sale to avoid a $20 late-filing penalty.
2. Seller: Release of Liability Within 5 Days
Idaho law (Section 49-526, Idaho Code) requires the seller to file a Release of Liability (Form ITD-3858) within 5 days of delivering the vehicle to the buyer.
Both buyer and seller must sign the form. File it with your county assessor’s motor vehicle office along with a $3.50 fee. On recent Idaho titles, the Release of Liability form is attached to the bottom of the original title. Filing protects the seller from liability for violations, towing, storage, or other charges after the sale.
3. Where to Complete the Transfer
Title transfers in Idaho are handled at the county assessor’s motor vehicle office in the buyer’s county. Idaho has 44 counties — each with its own office. Applications can be submitted in person or by mail.
4. VIN Inspection
A VIN inspection is required for all out-of-state vehicles. It must be completed by a law enforcement officer, DMV employee, military police officer, or Idaho licensed vehicle dealer before the title application can be processed.
5. License Plates
Idaho law requires the seller to remove the license plates before handing over the vehicle. You may transfer the plates to another vehicle through the county assessor’s motor vehicle office.
6. Reselling Without Titling Is Illegal
Unless you have a dealer license, it is illegal in Idaho to buy and resell a vehicle without first titling it in your name. If you purchase a vehicle and then decide to resell it, you must obtain an Idaho title in your name before transferring it to a new buyer.
7. Notarization
Idaho does not require notarization for a standard private party vehicle bill of sale. Notarization is optional but recommended for high-value sales.
Free Idaho Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale Template
This template opens in Google Docs. Click Use Template to save a copy to your Drive, fill it out digitally, or print and complete by hand.
How to Fill Out the Template
Enter the seller’s name exactly as it appears on the Certificate of Title. Enter the buyer’s full legal name exactly as they want it on the new title.
In Section 3, copy the VIN character by character from the dashboard plate and the title. Enter the actual agreed purchase price in Section 4 — entering a false price is a felony in Idaho.
Both parties sign Section 11. The seller must also file Form ITD-3858 (Release of Liability) within 5 days of the sale.
For a complete field-by-field walkthrough of every section, see: How to Fill Out a Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale →
How to Transfer a Car Title in Idaho
For the Seller
Complete and sign the title, providing it to the buyer. Remove your license plates before handing over the vehicle.
File Form ITD-3858 (Release of Liability) with your county assessor’s motor vehicle office within 5 days of the sale, along with the $3.50 fee.
For the Buyer
Within 30 days of purchase, file the signed title, this bill of sale, odometer disclosure, VIN inspection (for out-of-state vehicles), proof of insurance, and valid Idaho ID at your county assessor’s motor vehicle office. A $20 late-filing penalty applies after 30 days.
Lost Title
Apply for a duplicate title at the county assessor’s motor vehicle office before proceeding. Contact the Idaho Transportation Department at itd.idaho.gov for duplicate title procedures.
Frequently Asked Questions
30 days from the date of sale. A $20 late-filing penalty applies after 30 days. The buyer must file title transfer documents with the county assessor’s motor vehicle office in their county of residence.
Form ITD-3858 — a form the seller must file with their county assessor’s motor vehicle office within 5 days of delivering the vehicle to the buyer, along with a $3.50 fee. Both buyer and seller must sign it. Filing removes the seller from liability for violations and charges involving the vehicle after the sale.
Yes. Listing the wrong selling price on a title or bill of sale in Idaho is a felony. Always enter the actual agreed purchase price. Do not understate the price to reduce taxes.
No. Idaho does not require notarization for a standard private party vehicle bill of sale. Notarization is optional but recommended for high-value sales.
No. Unless you have a dealer license, it is illegal in Idaho to buy and resell a vehicle without first titling it in your name. You must obtain an Idaho Certificate of Title before you can legally transfer the vehicle to a new buyer.
Yes. Idaho’s official form is ITD 3738, but any bill of sale that includes the full vehicle description, sales price, buyer’s full legal name, seller’s original signature, and date of sale is acceptable. This template covers all required fields.
This template and all information on this page are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. Contact your county assessor’s motor vehicle office or the Idaho Transportation Department at itd.idaho.gov to confirm current requirements before completing your transaction.