Virginia Bill of Sale
Virginia is refreshingly plain about it: a handwritten bill of sale works, the DMV tells you what to put in it, and the seller can report the sale online the same afternoon. The 4.15% tax and its $75 floor are the only sharp edges.
Write it yourselves — the DMV says so.
Small price, same minimum.
Not legal advice. Verified against Virginia DMV sources in July 2026 — official links in our 50-state requirements table.
Virginia specifics, answered.
Will Virginia accept a bill of sale we write ourselves?
Explicitly, yes — Virginia is one of the few states whose DMV names the handwritten bill of sale as acceptable, provided it carries the purchase price, year, make, model, VIN, sale date, and both signatures. Our builder produces exactly that set, typed instead of scrawled.
When is Form SUT-1 needed instead?
Only in one lane: the vehicle is more than 5 years old AND the price is missing or wrong on the title. SUT-1 is a price certification, not a true bill of sale — and even in that lane, a proper bill of sale is an equal alternative the DMV accepts.
How does Virginia's vehicle tax work?
The Motor Vehicle Sales and Use Tax is 4.15% of the gross sales price with a $75 minimum — so even a $500 project car generates at least $75 of tax at titling. It's collected when the buyer titles at a DMV customer service center or a DMV Select office (local partner locations that handle title and registration work).
What's the seller's exit checklist in Virginia?
Three moves: report the sale to the DMV — Virginia has a dedicated online 'Report a Vehicle Sold' transaction, one of the cleanest liability cutoffs anywhere; take your plates (surrendering with 6+ months of registration left can earn a partial refund); and notify your insurance company. All three take minutes.
Every item type, Virginia rules applied.
The Virginia rules above apply to whatever you are selling. Pick the item type to get a form with the right identifying fields on it.