Free Maryland Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale Form (MVA 2026 PDF)

Q: When is a notarized bill of sale (Form VR-181) required in Maryland?

Under Md. Code Ann., Transp. § 13-809, a notarized bill of sale (such as Form VR-181 or Form SBF-MD-VR181) is legally required if the vehicle is less than seven (7) years old and the purchase price is $500 or more below the clean retail book value established by the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA). It is also required if the Certificate of Title lacks an assignment space for the purchase price or if requested by the MVA or a licensed tag agent.

Q: What is Maryland MVA Form VR-181?

Form VR-181 is the official Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration Bill of Sale. It documents the financial consideration, vehicle identification, buyer/seller details, odometer reading, and statutory notary acknowledgment needed to calculate the state's 6% vehicle excise tax.

Q: How much is the vehicle sales tax in Maryland?

Maryland imposes a 6% vehicle excise tax under Md. Code Transp. § 13-809. For vehicles seven years old or older, tax is calculated on the higher of the purchase price on the bill of sale or the minimum statutory excise tax value ($640 minimum valuation, resulting in a $38.40 minimum tax). For vehicles under seven years old, tax is based on the greater of the purchase price or the NADA clean retail value unless a notarized bill of sale verifies the lower price.

Q: Is a safety inspection required to transfer a car in Maryland?

Yes. Under Md. Code Transp. § 23-107, used vehicles must pass a comprehensive Maryland Safety Inspection conducted by an authorized inspection station before permanent registration and license plates are issued. The electronic inspection certificate remains valid for 90 days from the inspection date.

Q: Do license plates stay with the car in Maryland?

No. Under Md. Code Transp. § 13-703, Maryland license plates remain the property of the seller and never transfer with the vehicle. The seller must remove their plates before handing over the vehicle and return them to an MVA branch or authorized tag service prior to canceling auto insurance to avoid severe non-insurance civil fines.

FORM SBF-MD-VR181 Statutory Year: 2026

Md. Code Ann., Transp. §§ 13-113, 13-809 (6% Tax) & 23-107

STATE OF MARYLAND STATUTORY BILL OF SALE

Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale & Federal Odometer Disclosure Statement

Compliant with Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) & Form VR-181 Standards

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS: That the undersigned Seller, for and in consideration of the total sales price set forth herein, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby formally acknowledged, does hereby bargain, sell, grant, transfer, and deliver unto the undersigned Buyer all legal rights, title, equity, and interest in and to the motor vehicle described below, to have and to hold forever.

Section A: Jurisdiction & County / Independent City of Sale

State:

Maryland Jurisdiction *:

Section B: Complete Motor Vehicle Description

Year *

Make *

Model *

Body Style *

Color

MD Plate #

Vehicle Identification Number (VIN - 17 Characters) *:

Section C: Identification of Parties (Transferor & Transferee)

1. SELLER (Transferor Information) Physical address only

Full Legal Name *

Physical Address (No P.O. Box) *

City *

State

ZIP Code *

County / City *

Phone Number

MD Soundex / DL #

2. BUYER (Transferee Information) Must match MVA title application

Full Legal Name *

Physical Address (No P.O. Box) *

City *

State

ZIP Code *

County / City *

Phone Number

Driver License #

Section D: Financial Consideration, 6% Excise Tax & Federal Odometer Disclosure

Total Price (USD) *:

Sale Date *:

Paid by: Cash Cashier's Check Wire Gift/Trade

Federal & Maryland Odometer Statement (49 U.S.C. § 32705 & Md. Code Transp. § 22-415) Federal law requires mileage disclosure. False statements incur civil or criminal penalties.

Odometer Reading:

Miles

1. Actual Mileage: Reflects actual mileage to best of knowledge. 2. Exceeds Limits: Mileage exceeds mechanical odometer limits (rollover). 3. Warning — Discrepancy: Odometer reading is NOT the actual mileage.

Maryland Statutory "AS-IS" Warranty Disclaimer (Md. Code Ann., Commercial Law § 2-316)

SOLD STRICTLY AS-IS, WHERE-IS: The Buyer agrees that this motor vehicle is sold in its present "AS-IS" condition, WITH ALL FAULTS AND DEFECTS, WHETHER KNOWN OR UNKNOWN. The Seller disclaims all warranties, express or implied, including merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. Seller assumes no liability for post-sale repairs or mechanical defects. Buyer acknowledges responsibility for obtaining the mandatory Maryland Safety Inspection certificate required for registration.

Section E: Authorized Signatures & Certification Under Penalty of Perjury

I, the Seller, certify under penalty of perjury under Maryland law (Md. Code Crim. Law § 9-101) that I am lawful owner with authority to transfer this vehicle, free of liens except as noted. I, the Buyer, acknowledge acceptance and receipt of Certificate of Title.

Seller (Transferor) Signature Must match title

Signature: ✕

Seller Printed Name

Date

Buyer (Transferee) Signature Must match MVA record

Signature: ✕

Buyer Printed Name

Date

Section F: State of Maryland Notary Public Acknowledgment / Jurat Mandatory under Md. Code Transp. § 13-809 if vehicle is < 7 yrs old and price is $500+ below book value / Form VR-181 Specs

STATE OF MARYLAND COUNTY / CITY OF:

Subscribed and sworn to before me this day by the Seller and/or Buyer named above, who proved to me through satisfactory evidence of identification to be the person(s) who executed the foregoing statutory bill of sale.

Notary Public Signature

MM/DD/YYYY

My Commission Expires

★ Affix Notary Seal / Stamp Here

FORM SBF-MD-VR181 (Rev. 2026) • StateBillForms.com Md. Code Transp. §§ 13-113, 13-809 • Keep for MVA 6% excise tax records PAGE 1 OF 1

Official Process

Maryland MVA 3-Step Private Vehicle Title Transfer Guide

Follow Maryland statutory requirements to transfer vehicle ownership, satisfy the 6% excise tax, and avoid severe uninsured vehicle penalties.

Sign Title & Form VR-181

The seller signs the Certificate of Title and executes this Form SBF-MD-VR181. Under Md. Code Transp. § 13-809, if the vehicle is less than 7 years old and the price is $500+ below NADA clean retail value, Section F must be notarized.

Pass Maryland Safety Inspection

Under Md. Code Transp. § 23-107, the vehicle must pass a comprehensive Maryland Safety Inspection at a licensed station within 90 days before permanent registration. Alternatively, buyers can request a 30-day temporary registration.

MVA / Tag Agent Filing & Plates

Buyer submits title, Bill of Sale, inspection certificate, and pays the 6% Maryland Vehicle Excise Tax plus $100 title fee. Under Md. Code § 13-703, seller keeps their license plates and returns them to the MVA.

Statutory Summary

Maryland Vehicle Sale Legal Requirements

Document / Requirement	Governing Statute	Legal Status	Statutory Purpose
Maryland Certificate of Title	Md. Code Transp. § 13-112	Mandatory	Primary legal document transferring ownership and releasing seller's interest.
MVA Form VR-181 (Bill of Sale)	Md. Code Transp. § 13-809	Mandatory Under 7 Yrs / < Book	Proves purchase price for 6% excise tax when < 7 yrs old and $500+ below NADA value.
Notary Public Acknowledgment	Md. Code Transp. § 13-809(a)(2)	Mandatory If Triggered	Both parties must sign before a notary if the vehicle is < 7 yrs old and $500+ below NADA.
Maryland Safety Inspection	Md. Code Transp. § 23-107	Mandatory (90 Days)	Certifies roadworthiness before permanent registration and license plates are issued.
Seller Plate Surrender / Transfer	Md. Code Transp. § 13-703	Mandatory	License plates remain with seller; must be returned to MVA before canceling insurance.

FAQs

Maryland Vehicle Bill of Sale Legal FAQs

When is a notarized bill of sale (Form VR-181) required in Maryland?

What is Maryland MVA Form VR-181?

How much is the vehicle sales tax in Maryland?

Is a safety inspection required to transfer a car in Maryland?

Do license plates stay with the car in Maryland?