FL motor vehicle
Florida Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale
Sold or bought a used vehicle in Florida? Create a complete Florida motor vehicle bill of sale, preview it as you type, and download a print-ready PDF - free, no signup, no watermark.
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Overview
Florida at a glance
Reviewed July 2026
- Bill of sale
- Recommended
- Notarization
- Not required
- Transfer title within
- 30 days
- Sales tax
- 6% + county surtax
- File at
- Motor vehicle service center
The odometer disclosure is federal law (49 CFR Part 580). Confirm current fees and deadlines with your local motor vehicle service center (Florida DHSMV / county tax collector).
Selling or buying a used vehicle in Florida? A bill of sale is your proof of the deal - it records who sold what, for how much, and on what date. Florida transfers ownership through the signed title and the Application for Certificate of Title (Form HSMV 82040), but a bill of sale protects both sides: it locks in the price, the exact handover date, and the fact that the seller is no longer responsible for tolls, tickets, or accidents once the keys change hands.
State rules
Florida requirements
The rules people ask about most, answered for Florida.
Is a bill of sale required in Florida?
Not strictly. Ownership transfers through the signed title and the Application for Certificate of Title (Form HSMV 82040) at a motor vehicle service center. But a bill of sale is strongly recommended - the DHSMV advises keeping one, as it proves the price and sale date and shows you're no longer liable for the vehicle.
Does it need to be notarized?
No. Florida does not require a motor vehicle bill of sale to be notarized to transfer a title. You can notarize it voluntarily for extra proof - the DHSMV recommends it - but it is not mandatory.
Title transfer deadline
The buyer must apply for a new title (Form HSMV 82040) at a motor vehicle service center within 30 calendar days of the sale. Filing late adds a transfer penalty fee.
Motor vehicle sales tax
Florida charges 6% state sales and use tax on the purchase price (less any trade-in), paid by the buyer when the title is transferred. Most counties add a discretionary sales surtax on top, so the total rate varies by county.
Odometer disclosure
Federal law requires the odometer reading at the time of sale for vehicles under 20 model years old. Record it on both the bill of sale and the title.
Rules change. Confirm the current requirements with your local motor vehicle service center (Florida DHSMV / county tax collector) before you sign.
Step by step
How to fill it out
Enter the sale date and the Florida county where the sale takes place.
Add the seller's and buyer's full legal names and addresses.
Describe the vehicle - make, model, year, color, and 17-character VIN.
Record the odometer reading and the federal odometer disclosure.
Enter the purchase price and choose 'as-is' or add warranty terms.
Both parties sign - then the buyer files Form HSMV 82040 at a motor vehicle service center within 30 days.
Document checklist
What to include
Parties and vehicle
- Seller and buyerfull legal names and mailing addresses
- Vehicle descriptionmake, model, year, color and VIN
- Odometer readingplus the federal disclosure
Price, terms and signatures
- Purchase pricein figures and words, plus a sales-tax note
- As-is or warranty termsstate clearly which one applies
- Date of sale and signaturesboth parties sign and each keeps a copy
Common questions
Florida bill of sale FAQ
Does a Florida motor vehicle bill of sale need to be notarized?
No. Florida does not require a vehicle bill of sale to be notarized. The legal transfer happens through the signed title and Form HSMV 82040 at a motor vehicle service center - notarizing is optional and only adds extra proof.
Do I need a bill of sale to sell a car in Florida?
It isn't strictly required to transfer the title (the signed title and Form HSMV 82040 handle that), but it's strongly recommended. It proves the price, the sale date, and that you're no longer responsible for the vehicle after the sale.
Where do I transfer the title in Florida?
At a motor vehicle service center run by the DHSMV or your county tax collector - not a generic DMV counter. The buyer brings the signed title, a completed Form HSMV 82040, proof of insurance, and payment for the title fee and sales tax.
How long do I have to transfer the title in Florida?
The buyer has 30 calendar days from the date of sale to apply for the title at a motor vehicle service center. After 30 days, Florida charges a late-transfer penalty fee, so don't wait.
How much is sales tax on a used car in Florida?
6% state sales and use tax on the purchase price, less any trade-in, plus most counties add a discretionary surtax. The buyer pays it when transferring the title. This is why an accurate sale price on your bill of sale matters.
Do both the buyer and seller need to sign?
Yes. Both parties should sign and date the bill of sale, and each keeps a copy. If there are two buyers or two sellers, every party signs.
Is a handwritten bill of sale valid in Florida?
Yes - Florida doesn't mandate a specific bill of sale form, so a handwritten one is valid as long as it has the key details. A complete, typed document like this one is simply cleaner and far less likely to be questioned at the service center.
Is this Florida bill of sale really free?
Yes - completely. Fill it in, preview it live, and download the PDF with no signup, no credit card, and no watermark. Unlike sites that charge a fee or push a subscription to download, there's nothing to pay here.
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