How to Sell a Car Privately in Indiana
Selling your car yourself in Indiana comes down to a signed title, the right paperwork, and a few steps people often miss. This guide summarizes what the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles and state law say, so you and the buyer can finish the transfer cleanly.
Transferring the title
- Every owner listed on the title must sign and print their name in the seller section before the sale. faqs.in.gov
- The seller must fill in the sale date, the price and the buyer's name and address on the title, and leaving them blank is an infraction unless the buyer is a licensed dealer. iga.in.gov
- The seller must hand the buyer the signed title at the time of sale or delivery, once the agreed initial payments are made. iga.in.gov
- The buyer must apply for a title within 45 days of buying the vehicle. in.gov
- A late title application costs an extra $30 penalty. in.gov
Bill of sale
- A bill of sale cannot transfer ownership of a vehicle that Indiana requires to be titled; the signed title is what transfers it. in.gov
- A bill of sale can supply the sale date or price when the title lacks them, but it cannot override what the title already says. in.gov
- The BMV offers State Form 44237 as its bill of sale, although a similar document can be used. in.gov
- A bill of sale needs the buyer's name, the vehicle year, make and model, and the seller's signature and address, and the VIN when it is the main ownership document. in.gov
License plates
- The seller must remove the license plate from the vehicle at the time of sale. faqs.in.gov
- Indiana does not require a seller to return plates to the BMV, and the seller can move the plate to another vehicle they own. in.gov
- Moving a plate to another vehicle costs a $9.50 transfer fee. in.gov
- A buyer registers the vehicle with a new plate or a transferred plate and can ask for a mailed temporary plate on the application. in.gov
- A buyer who needs to drive to a branch or testing station can buy a 96-hour delivery permit with a temporary plate, with proof of ownership and insurance. in.gov
Inspections and emissions
- A vehicle bought outside Indiana or titled in another state needs a physical VIN inspection with State Form 39530. in.gov
- The VIN inspection is free at an Indiana BMV branch or certified provider, while a police officer may charge up to $5. in.gov
- Emissions testing applies only to vehicles registered in Lake and Porter counties, every two years. in.gov
- The four newest model years and antique vehicles are exempt from emissions testing. in.gov
Taxes and fees the buyer pays
- A private-sale buyer pays 7 percent sales tax at the BMV branch when applying for the title. in.gov
- A buyer who paid tax to another state gets credit for it and pays only any difference. in.gov
- The title fee is $15, and a passenger vehicle registration is $21.35. in.gov
- Registration also carries an excise tax based on the vehicle's original price and model year. in.gov
Loans and liens
- Every lienholder must release its interest before the vehicle is sold. in.gov
- A bank or dealer can release a lien by signing the release section on the paper title or by giving a lien release letter, or electronically for an electronic title. in.gov
- An individual lienholder can sign the title release, give a release letter, or sign a general affidavit (State Form 37964). in.gov
- A release letter must be on the lienholder's letterhead and show the owner's name, release date, and the vehicle's year, make and VIN. in.gov
Easy-to-miss rules in this state
- A seller who fails to endorse the title or disclose liens commits a Class B infraction. iga.in.gov
- A title with an error can be corrected with State Form 55582. in.gov
- A buyer can pay $25 extra for speed title processing. in.gov
- A bill of sale application also requires a physical inspection form (State Form 39530). in.gov
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a bill of sale to sell a car in Indiana?
A bill of sale cannot transfer ownership of a vehicle that Indiana requires to be titled; the signed title is what transfers it. A bill of sale can supply the sale date or price when the title lacks them, but it cannot override what the title already says.
What happens to the license plates when I sell my car in Indiana?
The seller must remove the license plate from the vehicle at the time of sale. Indiana does not require a seller to return plates to the BMV, and the seller can move the plate to another vehicle they own.
Official Indiana resources
- BMV: Buying and selling a vehicle
- BMV: Bill of sale rules
- BMV: Liens
- BMV: Title forms
- BMV fee chart (revised 1/1/26)
- BMV: Title and registration checklist
- BMV: Vehicle emissions testing program
- BMV: Temporary permits
Next steps
Once you know the rules, create a free listing and print a QR code sign for the car window. For the general process, see our step-by-step private sale guide, the paperwork checklist, and how to get paid safely. Need paperwork? Use our free bill of sale generator.