Selling or buying a vehicle in Tennessee? Title transfers are handled at the county clerk’s office — not a state DMV — and a bill of sale is highly recommended for all private party sales.
This free template is formatted for Tennessee’s requirements and works alongside the Certificate of Title at your county clerk’s 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 a Tennessee Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale?
- Is a Bill of Sale Required in Tennessee?
- Tennessee-Specific Requirements
- Free Tennessee Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale Template
- How to Fill Out the Template
- How to Transfer a Car Title in Tennessee
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Is a Tennessee Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale?
A Tennessee motor vehicle bill of sale is a written record of a private vehicle sale.
Tennessee title transfers are processed at the county clerk’s office in the buyer’s county of residence. Only the registered owner(s) shown on the front of the title, or their power of attorney, can legally transfer ownership of a vehicle.
Is a Bill of Sale Required in Tennessee?
A bill of sale is not always strictly required — the properly completed title is the primary ownership document. However, a notarized bill of sale is required in specific situations:
- When the title is held by a lienholder and cannot be immediately transferred
- When the vehicle is from a jurisdiction that does not have a certificate of title law
- When supporting an application for title lacking proper documentation
A bill of sale is highly recommended for all private sales. Tennessee county clerks commonly ask to see one, and it documents the purchase price which is used to calculate sales tax.
Tennessee-Specific Requirements
1. County Clerk — Not a State DMV
Tennessee title and registration is handled at the county clerk’s office in the buyer’s county of residence. You cannot apply for a title only — the vehicle must be registered at the same time you apply for title. Application may be made at any of your county’s clerk office locations.
2. Sales Tax: 7% State + 2.75% County
Tennessee charges 7% state sales tax on the purchase price, plus 2.75% county sales tax on the first $1,600 (capped at $44.00). Tax is collected at the county clerk’s office at the time of registration. Sales tax is collected on any vehicle transfer, whether purchased from an individual or a dealership.
3. Below Market Value — Affidavit Required
If a vehicle was purchased for considerably less than retail market value, the seller must sign an Affidavit of Non-Dealer Transfers of Motor Vehicles and Boats. Without this affidavit, sales tax will be calculated on the NADA book value. This form is available at county clerk offices.
4. Odometer Disclosure
Odometer disclosure is required for vehicles model year 2011 and newer. The odometer reading must be recorded on the title assignment.
5. Immediate Family and Gifts
Vehicles transferred to immediate family members qualify for a sales tax exemption. A Gift Affidavit completed by both the giver and receiver is required. This form is available at county clerk offices.
6. Notarization
Tennessee does not require notarization for a standard private party vehicle bill of sale for most transactions. A notarized bill of sale is required when the title is held by a lienholder or when the vehicle comes from a jurisdiction without a title law. Notarization is recommended for all high-value sales.
Free Tennessee 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 front of the Certificate of Title — only the registered owner(s) shown on the front can legally transfer ownership. Enter the buyer’s name exactly as they want it on the new title.
In Section 3, copy the VIN character by character. Enter the full agreed purchase price in Section 4 — Tennessee calculates 7% state sales tax on this figure.
Both parties sign Section 11. If the price is below retail market value, also have the seller sign the Affidavit of Non-Dealer Transfers (available at the county clerk’s office).
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 Tennessee
For the Seller
Sign the back of the title in the designated seller’s area. Record the odometer reading if the vehicle is model year 2011 or newer. Provide the buyer with this bill of sale.
For the Buyer
Visit the county clerk’s office in your county of residence with the properly assigned title, this bill of sale, valid Tennessee driver’s license or two proofs of residency, proof of insurance, and payment for sales tax and registration fees. You must apply for title and registration at the same time.
Lost Title
Apply for a replacement title ($13 fee) at any county clerk location. Contact your county clerk’s office for specific procedures.
Frequently Asked Questions
At the county clerk’s office in the buyer’s county of residence — not a state DMV. Tennessee has no centralized DMV for vehicle title transactions. You must apply for title and registration at the same time; you cannot apply for a title only.
7% state sales tax on the purchase price, plus 2.75% county sales tax on the first $1,600 (capped at $44.00). Tax is collected at the county clerk’s office at the time of registration on all vehicle transfers.
If the price is considerably below retail market value, the seller must sign an Affidavit of Non-Dealer Transfers of Motor Vehicles and Boats. Without this affidavit, sales tax will be calculated on the NADA book value instead of the actual sale price. This form is available at county clerk offices.
Not for standard private party sales where a valid title exists. A notarized bill of sale is required when the title is held by a lienholder or when the vehicle comes from a jurisdiction that does not have a certificate of title law. Notarization is recommended for all high-value sales.
Yes. Vehicles transferred to immediate family members qualify for a sales tax exemption. A Gift Affidavit completed by both the giver and receiver is required and is available at county clerk offices.
Yes. Tennessee does not require a specific state-issued bill of sale form for most standard private party sales. Any bill of sale with the required information — seller and buyer details, VIN, purchase price, date of sale, and signatures — is acceptable alongside the properly assigned title.
This template and all information on this page are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. Requirements vary by county. Contact your county clerk’s office for specific requirements before completing your transaction.