How to Sell a Car Privately in Virginia
Selling your car yourself in Virginia comes down to a signed title, the right paperwork, and a few steps people often miss. This guide summarizes what the Virginia Department 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 as seller, and the seller fills in the buyer's name and address, the odometer reading, the sale date and the price (or 'gift'). dmv.virginia.gov
- State law requires the seller to correctly complete the assignment and warranty of title, list any liens, and hand the signed title to the buyer when the vehicle is delivered; willful failure is a Class 3 misdemeanor. law.lis.virginia.gov
- The buyer completes the Certification of Buyer section and submits a title/registration application (VSA 17A) plus proof of address and proof of price to DMV; the buyer is the one who applies for the new title. dmv.virginia.gov
- Virginia law gives the buyer 30 days to send the title and applications to DMV (Va. Code 46.2-630). law.lis.virginia.gov
Bill of sale
- A bill of sale is not always required: if the seller writes the price on the title, that serves as proof of price. dmv.virginia.gov
- If the price is missing or wrong, a handwritten bill of sale signed by both parties or a Vehicle Price Certification (SUT 1) is accepted. dmv.virginia.gov
- For vehicles five model years old or newer, an Affidavit of Vehicle Purchase Price (SUT-1A) is needed when the price differs from the NADA trade-in value by more than $1,500. dmv.virginia.gov
Notarization
- Virginia DMV does not require notarization for an ordinary car title transfer. dmv.virginia.gov
Odometer disclosure
- The seller writes the exact odometer reading on the title (no guessing), and the buyer repeats it on the title application; DMV checks it against past readings. dmv.virginia.gov
- Virginia law requires the reading on the title and application and makes knowingly recording a false reading a Class 1 misdemeanor. law.lis.virginia.gov
- Vehicles over 16,000 lbs GVWR are exempt; older vehicles are exempt only if already exempt in another state (10 years for model years 2010 or earlier, 20 years for 2011 or later), and the title must show the exemption. law.lis.virginia.gov
- Form VSA 5 (Odometer Disclosure Statement) is used where an out-of-state title has no odometer section. dmv.virginia.gov
License plates
- The seller must remove the plates before the buyer takes the car. dmv.virginia.gov
- The seller can move the plates to a replacement vehicle or turn them in or inactivate them with DMV (online, at a customer service center or DMV Select) before telling the insurer. dmv.virginia.gov
- A registration refund may be possible if six or more months remain, using Form FMS-210. dmv.virginia.gov
Inspections and emissions
- The seller has no inspection duty, but the vehicle must pass an annual safety inspection and show a valid sticker before it is driven in Virginia. dmv.virginia.gov
- An emissions inspection is required for registration if the car is garaged in Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William or Stafford counties or the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Manassas or Manassas Park. dmv.virginia.gov
- Emissions exemptions include gasoline vehicles more than 25 model years old and used vehicles from the current and three prior model years. dmv.virginia.gov
Telling the state you sold the car
- The seller must report the sale, trade or donation to DMV online ('Report a Vehicle Sold or Traded'), at a customer service center, or by phone. dmv.virginia.gov
- Reporting the sale to DMV is required by law, so do it right away. dmv.virginia.gov
- The seller should also tell the insurer; cancelling insurance without telling DMV can lead to suspension of license and registration privileges. dmv.virginia.gov
Taxes and fees the buyer pays
- The buyer pays 4.15% Sales and Use Tax when titling, based on the gross sales price or $75, whichever is greater. dmv.virginia.gov
- Trade-ins, unpaid liens and other credits do not lower the taxable price. dmv.virginia.gov
- Titling carries a $15 fee in addition to the tax. dmv.virginia.gov
- Gifts and exempt buyers complete the Purchaser's Statement of Tax Exemption (SUT-3). dmv.virginia.gov
Loans and liens
- Liens are recorded on the title and the lender receives the title; once paid off, the lender has 10 days to notify the owner and release the lien. dmv.virginia.gov
- Most lenders release liens electronically and DMV then mails a clean title; paper-title lenders sign the release and the owner gets a substitute title from DMV. dmv.virginia.gov
- A lender that has not signed off a prior lien means the buyer needs a lien release to title the vehicle. select.dmv.virginia.gov
Easy-to-miss rules in this state
- Since September 2023 qualifying private sellers and buyers can transfer a title online through myDMV instead of visiting an office. dmv.virginia.gov
- Online transfer requires both parties to be Virginia residents, a lien-free passenger vehicle, one seller and one buyer, and the sale reported no more than 15 days earlier; business-owned vehicles and out-of-state titles are not eligible. dmv.virginia.gov
- Online-transfer vehicles get no paper title; DMV holds it electronically and a paper copy can be requested. dmv.virginia.gov
- Buyers can run a Prospective Purchaser Inquiry on DMV's site before buying. dmv.virginia.gov
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a notary to sell a car in Virginia?
Virginia DMV does not require notarization for an ordinary car title transfer.
Do I need a bill of sale to sell a car in Virginia?
A bill of sale is not always required: if the seller writes the price on the title, that serves as proof of price. If the price is missing or wrong, a handwritten bill of sale signed by both parties or a Vehicle Price Certification (SUT 1) is accepted.
Is an odometer disclosure required when selling a car in Virginia?
The seller writes the exact odometer reading on the title (no guessing), and the buyer repeats it on the title application; DMV checks it against past readings. Virginia law requires the reading on the title and application and makes knowingly recording a false reading a Class 1 misdemeanor.
What happens to the license plates when I sell my car in Virginia?
The seller must remove the plates before the buyer takes the car. The seller can move the plates to a replacement vehicle or turn them in or inactivate them with DMV (online, at a customer service center or DMV Select) before telling the insurer.
Do I have to tell the state I sold my car in Virginia?
The seller must report the sale, trade or donation to DMV online ('Report a Vehicle Sold or Traded'), at a customer service center, or by phone. Reporting the sale to DMV is required by law, so do it right away.
Official Virginia resources
- Buying/Selling a Vehicle (VA DMV)
- Report a Vehicle Sold or Traded
- Title Your Vehicle
- Motor Vehicle Sales and Use Tax
- Electronic title transfer
- Emissions inspections
- Liens on a Title
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.