Selling a car privately in Texas
Private car sales in Texas run through the county tax office rather than a DMV field office. The seller signs and dates the title (including the odometer reading), both parties complete the Application for Texas Title (Form 130-U) with the sales price, and the buyer files it with their county tax assessor-collector. The buyer pays Texas motor vehicle sales tax; 6.25% of the sales price or the state's Standard Presumptive Value, whichever is higher; when they title the vehicle.
The single most important seller-protection step in Texas is the Vehicle Transfer Notification (VTN): a free online filing with TxDMV that records the date you sold the vehicle. File it within 30 days and you are protected from liability for tickets, tolls, and incidents after the sale. Texas plates belong to the seller; remove them before the buyer drives away.
The checklist
- 1
Sign the title correctly (Texas)
Sign and date the title as seller, and record the odometer reading on the title. Errors can require a corrected title.
- 2
Complete Form 130-U with the buyer
The Application for Texas Title (Form 130-U) needs the sales price and both signatures. The buyer files it with the county tax office.
- 3
File the Vehicle Transfer Notification (VTN)
File the VTN with TxDMV within 30 days of the sale to end your liability for the vehicle. Free and can be done online.
- 4
Remove your license plates
In Texas, plates belong to the seller. Remove them and transfer them to another vehicle you own or dispose of them.
- 5
Verify your title status
Locate the physical title and confirm it is in your name with no undisclosed liens. If the title is lost, request a duplicate before listing.
- 6
Complete a bill of sale
Recommended for every private sale even where not required. Record buyer/seller names, VIN, price, date, and an as-is acknowledgement. Both parties keep a copy.
- 7
Complete the odometer disclosure
Federal rules require odometer disclosure for most vehicles under 20 model years old. Usually done on the title itself; some states use a separate form.
- 8
File a release of liability / notice of sale
If your state offers it, file promptly after the sale so you are not liable for tickets or incidents after the buyer drives away.
- 9
Handle plates per your state's rules
In most states the seller removes the plates; in some, plates stay with the vehicle. Confirm your state's rule before handing over the keys.
- 10
Pay off any lien before or at transfer
If a lien remains, coordinate payoff with the lender so the buyer can receive a clear title. Do not sign over a title with an unreleased lien.
- 11
Confirm payment before signing the title
Verify cash, or use a cashier's check verified with the issuing bank, or complete the transfer inside the buyer's bank. Never release the signed title before funds are confirmed.
- 12
Keep copies of everything
Photograph or copy the signed title (both sides), bill of sale, odometer disclosure, and the buyer's ID if they consent.
- 13
Check official state instructions
Requirements change. Confirm the current process on your state DMV / motor vehicle agency website before the sale.
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Start your free beta packetTexas private sale FAQ
Does a Texas car title need to be notarized?
No. Texas does not require notarization for a private-party title transfer. Sign the title exactly as your name is printed on the front, and complete the odometer section carefully; corrections can force a certified title correction.
Who pays sales tax in a Texas private sale?
The buyer, when they file Form 130-U at the county tax office; 6.25% of the sales price or the Standard Presumptive Value (SPV), whichever is higher. The seller collects nothing.
What happens if I skip the Vehicle Transfer Notification?
Until TxDMV records the transfer, the vehicle remains associated with you; meaning toll bills, parking tickets, and worse can land on you. The VTN is free and takes minutes online; file it within 30 days of the sale.
Do I need a vehicle inspection to sell my car in Texas?
Texas ended routine annual safety inspections for most passenger vehicles starting in 2025, but emissions testing still applies in some metro counties as a registration requirement. Inspection status affects the buyer's registration, not your ability to sell; disclose the current status honestly.
Selling a special situation?
Other states
Bold states have a state-specific guide; others use the general checklist.
Last reviewed Jul 11, 2026. This is a general checklist, not legal advice. Confirm current requirements with your state DMV or tax office.