How to Sell a Car Privately in Nebraska
Selling your car yourself in Nebraska comes down to a signed title, the right paperwork, and a few steps people often miss. This guide summarizes what the Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles and state law say, so you and the buyer can finish the transfer cleanly.
Transferring the title
- Every person named on the Certificate of Title must sign in the seller's section, and spouses may not sign as agents for each other. dmv.nebraska.gov
- The buyer's name, address, and signature must be entered in the purchaser's section at the time of purchase. dmv.nebraska.gov
- A title that is signed but left with the purchaser section incomplete is an 'open title,' which the DMV page describes as a violation of the law. dmv.nebraska.gov
- The buyer must obtain the certificate of title within 30 days of the date of purchase. dmv.nebraska.gov
- Altering a title or misplacing a signature can mutilate it, requiring a Duplicate Certificate of Title before the sale can proceed. dmv.nebraska.gov
Bill of sale
- The seller must give the buyer either a Bill of Sale or a completed Nebraska Department of Revenue Form 6. dmv.nebraska.gov
- The state's optional Bill of Sale form lists the date of sale, price, seller and buyer names, addresses and phone numbers, and the vehicle year, make, model and VIN, and says use of that form is not required. dmv.nebraska.gov
Odometer disclosure
- The seller must give the buyer a signed odometer statement, usually on the title, marked as Actual, Not Actual, Exceeds Mechanical Limits, or Exempt. dmv.nebraska.gov
- Vehicles with a model year of 2010 or older are exempt, and so are vehicles of model year 2011 or newer once they are more than 20 years old. dmv.nebraska.gov
- The seller keeps a copy of the odometer statement for at least five years from the date of transfer. dmv.nebraska.gov
Taxes and fees the buyer pays
- The buyer submits an Application for Certificate of Title to the County Treasurer with a $10 titling fee. dmv.nebraska.gov
- The title fee is $10, or $17 if there is a lien noted on the title. dmv.nebraska.gov
- The buyer must present Form 6 and pay the sales/use tax within 30 days after the date of purchase, or penalty and interest apply. revenue.nebraska.gov
- An individual who is not licensed to collect sales tax must still complete Form 6 for each sale, and gives the buyer copies. revenue.nebraska.gov
Loans and liens
- Open liens must be released by the lienholder and the County Official on the face of the title before the title is reassigned. dmv.nebraska.gov
Easy-to-miss rules in this state
- A vehicle brought into Nebraska from out of state needs a County Sheriff identification inspection with a $10 fee, but this is not required when a Nebraska Certificate of Title is presented. dmv.nebraska.gov
- The buyer must obtain a title in their own name, register the vehicle, and pay sales tax; licensed dealers are exempt from this. dmv.nebraska.gov
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a bill of sale to sell a car in Nebraska?
The seller must give the buyer either a Bill of Sale or a completed Nebraska Department of Revenue Form 6. The state's optional Bill of Sale form lists the date of sale, price, seller and buyer names, addresses and phone numbers, and the vehicle year, make, model and VIN, and says use of that form is not required.
Is an odometer disclosure required when selling a car in Nebraska?
The seller must give the buyer a signed odometer statement, usually on the title, marked as Actual, Not Actual, Exceeds Mechanical Limits, or Exempt. Vehicles with a model year of 2010 or older are exempt, and so are vehicles of model year 2011 or newer once they are more than 20 years old.
Official Nebraska resources
- Nebraska DMV: Transfer of ownership
- Nebraska DMV: Odometer certification
- Nebraska DMV: Vehicle registration
- Nebraska DMV: Bill of Sale form
- Nebraska DOR: Form 6 Sales/Use Tax and Tire Fee Statement
- Nebraska Legislature: Neb. Rev. Stat. 60-395
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.