How to Write a South Carolina Vehicle Bill of Sale

What a bill of sale is and why you need one

A bill of sale is a written record that you sold a vehicle to someone else. It names the buyer, the seller, the vehicle, and the price paid. In South Carolina, a bill of sale is not required by law to transfer ownership of a car, truck, or motorcycle — but you should create one anyway, because it protects both you and the buyer if questions arise later about who owned the vehicle on a specific date.

The South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles does not provide an official bill of sale form, but you can write one yourself using plain language, or use a template from a legal document service. Either way, the document should be signed and dated by both the buyer and seller, and each person should keep a copy.

If you are selling a vehicle privately (not through a dealer), a bill of sale becomes especially important. It shows the DMV, a bank, or an insurance company that you no longer own the vehicle and are not responsible for it after the sale date.

Key Takeaways

• South Carolina does not require a bill of sale by law, but creating one protects you from liability after you sell the vehicle.
• The bill of sale should include the names and addresses of both buyer and seller, the vehicle identification number (VIN), the sale price, and the date of sale.
• Both the buyer and seller must sign and date the document, and each should keep a copy for their records.
• You can write a bill of sale yourself in plain language or use a template; the DMV does not provide an official form.
• After the sale, the buyer is responsible for registering the vehicle in their name with the DMV within a set timeframe.

What information to include in the bill of sale

Write the bill of sale on plain paper or print a template. At the top, write "Bill of Sale" or "Vehicle Bill of Sale." Then include the following information:

• Seller's name, address, and phone number — the person who currently owns the vehicle.
• Buyer's name, address, and phone number — the person purchasing the vehicle.
• Vehicle identification number (VIN) — found on the dashboard on the driver's side, or on the title document.
• Year, make, model, and color of the vehicle.
• Odometer reading — the mileage at the time of sale.
• Sale price — the amount paid, written in numbers and words (for example, "$5,000 (five thousand dollars)").
• Date of sale — the day the buyer takes possession of the vehicle.
• Condition of the vehicle — you may note whether it is sold "as-is" or with any warranty.
• Signatures and dates — both buyer and seller must sign and print their names, and write the date they signed.

You do not need to notarize the bill of sale in South Carolina, though doing so adds an extra layer of proof that both parties signed it willingly.

How to handle the title when you sell

The bill of sale and the title are two separate documents. The title is the official proof of ownership issued by the DMV. When you sell the vehicle, you must sign the back of the title to release your ownership claim. The buyer then takes the signed title to the DMV to register the vehicle in their name.

If you have lost the title, you can request a replacement from the South Carolina DMV before you sell. If the title has a lien on it (meaning a bank or lender still owns part of the vehicle), the lender must sign off on the title as well before the buyer can register it.

The bill of sale documents the transaction between you and the buyer. The signed title documents the legal transfer of ownership to the DMV. Both are important, but they serve different purposes.

When the buyer needs to register the vehicle

Once the buyer has the signed title and the bill of sale, they have a limited time to register the vehicle with the South Carolina DMV. The buyer should bring both documents to the DMV, along with proof of insurance and a valid ID. The registration process is separate from the bill of sale, but the bill of sale shows when the buyer took ownership.

If the buyer does not register the vehicle within the required timeframe, they may face penalties or fines. The exact timeframe depends on whether the vehicle is new or used, and whether it is being transferred from another state. The buyer should check with the DMV or read the paperwork that came with the title to confirm the deadline.

Protecting yourself as the seller

Once you sign the bill of sale and the title, you are no longer the legal owner of the vehicle. However, you remain liable for any damage or violations that occur before the buyer registers it in their name — unless you have proof that you transferred ownership on a specific date.

This is why the bill of sale matters. It shows the date you sold the vehicle and to whom. Keep a copy in a safe place. If the buyer is in an accident or gets a traffic ticket before registering the vehicle, you can show the bill of sale to prove you no longer owned it on that date.

You should also notify your insurance company that you have sold the vehicle, so they remove it from your policy. Do not wait for the buyer to register it — notify them as soon as the sale is complete.

What happens if there is a dispute

If a question arises later about who owned the vehicle on a certain date, or if the buyer claims the vehicle had a problem you did not disclose, the bill of sale is evidence of when the sale occurred. If you noted in the bill of sale that the vehicle was sold "as-is," that protects you from claims that you promised repairs or that the vehicle was in perfect condition.

If you made any promises about the vehicle's condition or mechanical state, write those in the bill of sale as well. For example, you might write "Seller warrants that the transmission was replaced in 2022" or "Vehicle sold as-is, no warranty." This way, both parties have a written record of what was promised.

If a serious dispute arises and you cannot resolve it with the buyer, you may need to consult a lawyer. Having a signed, dated bill of sale makes it much easier to prove your side of the story.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to notarize the bill of sale?

No, notarization is not required in South Carolina. However, having a notary public witness both signatures adds extra proof that you and the buyer signed the document willingly. Some buyers or lenders may request a notarized bill of sale, so it is worth asking before you sign.

What if I sell the vehicle to a family member?

You still need a bill of sale, even if you are selling to a spouse, child, or parent. The bill of sale documents the transfer of ownership and protects both of you. Write it the same way you would for any other sale, including the sale price (even if it is a gift, write the actual amount or write "gift" in the price field).

Can I sell a vehicle if there is still a loan on it?

Yes, but the lender must sign off on the title before the buyer can register it. The lender's signature releases the lien. You may also need to pay off the loan before the sale closes, depending on your loan agreement. Contact your lender before you sell to find out what steps are required.

What if the buyer does not register the vehicle?

Once you have a signed bill of sale and the buyer has the signed title, the vehicle is legally theirs. If they do not register it, that is their responsibility. However, you should still notify your insurance company and the DMV that you have sold it, so you are not held liable for anything that happens after the sale date.

Is a bill of sale the same as a title?

No. The title is the official DMV document that proves ownership. The bill of sale is a record of the transaction between buyer and seller. You need both: the signed title transfers ownership to the DMV, and the bill of sale documents when and to whom you sold the vehicle.