How to Sell a Car Privately in Utah
Selling your car yourself in Utah comes down to a signed title, the right paperwork, and a few steps people often miss. This guide summarizes what the Utah Division of Motor Vehicles and state law say, so you and the buyer can finish the transfer cleanly.
Transferring the title
- The seller signs the title over to the buyer; if two owners are joined by 'and' both must sign, and if joined by 'or' only one must sign. dmv.utah.gov
- The seller must have the purchase date and price filled in and the VIN on the title matching the vehicle. dmv.utah.gov
- The state page says Utah law gives the seller 48 hours to provide the title. dmv.utah.gov
- If the Utah title is lost, buyer and seller can complete Form TC-123, with the seller signing both Part 1 and Part 2. dmv.utah.gov
- The buyer completes Form TC-656 (Application for Utah Title and Registration), or can use the online Person to Person transfer service. dmv.utah.gov
Bill of sale
- The seller is told to provide a written bill of sale proving the transfer, listing the buyer's name and address, the seller's name, address and signature, the vehicle description with VIN, and the purchase price. dmv.utah.gov
- Form TC-843 is the DMV's bill of sale form, and a bill of sale from the previous owner is generally enough to start a transfer at the DMV. dmv.utah.gov
Notarization
- No notary is needed to sign off on a title. dmv.utah.gov
Odometer disclosure
- The seller and buyer sign Form TC-891, the Odometer Disclosure Statement, or complete the odometer section on the title. dmv.utah.gov
- The odometer statement is not needed for vehicles 20 years old or older or over 16,000 pounds gross laden weight. tax.utah.gov
Inspections and emissions
- Utah has no general safety inspection requirement for registering most vehicles. tax.utah.gov
- Emissions testing is required in Cache, Davis, Salt Lake, Utah and Weber counties, depending on model year and vehicle age. dmv.utah.gov
- A buyer registering in Salt Lake, Davis, Weber, Cache or Utah County may need an emissions inspection certificate. dmv.utah.gov
- The seller gives the buyer the current emissions certificate, if applicable. dmv.utah.gov
Telling the state you sold the car
- The seller is told to notify the DMV that the vehicle has been sold; no deadline is listed. dmv.utah.gov
- The notice can be made online through the Motor Vehicle Portal, by mail, by Form TC-502, or by phone at 1-800-DMV-UTAH. dmv.utah.gov
- The notice includes the vehicle year, make, plate number or VIN, and the seller's signature. tax.utah.gov
Taxes and fees the buyer pays
- A private seller who is not a dealer does not collect sales tax; the buyer pays it when titling and registering. dmv.utah.gov
- Sales tax is based on the purchase price shown on the signed bill of sale; without one, the DMV uses the vehicle's fair market value. dmv.utah.gov
- Utah has no family-to-family exemption, and underreporting the price can bring a fraud penalty of 100% of the tax or $500, whichever is greater. dmv.utah.gov
- A new title costs $6.00, and a 96-hour temporary permit costs $2.50 while a standard permit costs $6.00. dmv.utah.gov
Loans and liens
- If a lienholder is printed on the title, that lienholder must sign to release its lien. dmv.utah.gov
- If a bank or credit union holds the title as loan collateral, the seller should contact that lender, which may need to send the title to the DMV before a title change. dmv.utah.gov
Easy-to-miss rules in this state
- The DMV page directs reports of suspected unlicensed sellers to its Motor Vehicle Enforcement Division. dmv.utah.gov
- Online person-to-person transfers are unavailable for vehicles with an out-of-state title, a non-repairable brand, or a salvage notice. dmv.utah.gov
- Vehicles titled in Utah for the first time from another state need a VIN inspection. tax.utah.gov
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a notary to sell a car in Utah?
No notary is needed to sign off on a title.
Do I need a bill of sale to sell a car in Utah?
The seller is told to provide a written bill of sale proving the transfer, listing the buyer's name and address, the seller's name, address and signature, the vehicle description with VIN, and the purchase price. Form TC-843 is the DMV's bill of sale form, and a bill of sale from the previous owner is generally enough to start a transfer at the DMV.
Is an odometer disclosure required when selling a car in Utah?
The seller and buyer sign Form TC-891, the Odometer Disclosure Statement, or complete the odometer section on the title. The odometer statement is not needed for vehicles 20 years old or older or over 16,000 pounds gross laden weight.
Do I have to tell the state I sold my car in Utah?
The seller is told to notify the DMV that the vehicle has been sold; no deadline is listed. The notice can be made online through the Motor Vehicle Portal, by mail, by Form TC-502, or by phone at 1-800-DMV-UTAH.
Official Utah resources
- Utah DMV: Responsibilities of buyer and seller
- Utah DMV: Transfer a Utah title
- Utah DMV: Person to Person online title transfer
- Utah DMV: Inspections
- Utah DMV: Summary of common fees
- Utah Tax Commission: Pub 9, How to register and title your vehicle
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.