Rhode Island bill of sale for a vehicle
For buyers and sellers who want a written record of a private car sale in Rhode Island.
A Rhode Island bill of sale is required in a private car sale. The seller gives one to the buyer with the year, make, model, VIN, color and price, signs it and adds their address. The DMV has an official bill of sale form. Any change or erasure voids it.
Does Rhode Island have an official bill of sale form?
Bill of Sale- The date and price, the names, signatures and addresses of all sellers and buyers, the year, make, model, body type, cylinders, color and VIN, and the mileage. Any change or erasure voids it.dmv.ri.gov checked
- The price or the NADA Clean Retail value, whichever is higherdmv.ri.gov checked
What should a bill of sale for a car include?
Common items on a bill of saleWhat RI DMV says is above.
- The buyer's and seller's names and addresses
- The car's year, make, model and VIN
- The sale price and the date of sale
- The odometer reading
- Signatures of the buyer and seller
Next steps
Common questions
Do both owners sign the bill of sale?
Yes. If there are two owners, both print and sign, on the seller side and on the buyer side.
dmv.ri.gov checked
Does the price on the bill of sale set the tax?
Only if it is higher than the NADA Clean Retail value. The tax is on whichever is higher.
dmv.ri.gov checked
Sources for this page
- dmv.ri.gov/faq Checked
- dmv.ri.gov/media/
1816/ Checkeddownload?language=en - dmv.ri.gov/registrations-plates-titles/
sales-tax Checked
About this page
This page summarizes official Rhode Island sources in plain English. Car Title Steps is not a government website, is not connected to the Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles, and does not file or prepare forms. Confirm each step with the agency before you sign, pay or mail anything. Found a mistake? Email mr@marcelruettgers.com.