Copy the mileage without tenths
Use the current whole-mile reading. Texas Form 130-U asks for the odometer reading in box 9 without tenths.
TX private-sale guide
Texas Vehicle Bill of Sale & Odometer Disclosure
Create a Texas vehicle bill of sale, record the odometer disclosure correctly, and download a clean PDF. Notarization is not generally required.
For a private Texas vehicle sale, the seller should provide a properly signed title with the sale date and odometer reading, while the buyer uses Form 130-U to apply for title and registration. A bill of sale adds a clear record of the parties, vehicle, price, date, and terms.
Texas: no routine notarization requirement is stated in the cited guidance; an odometer disclosure is required for many vehicles.
Open prefilled Texas generatorTexas odometer disclosure
Record the mileage in the right places
The seller enters the reading on the assigned title, and Form 130-U provides fields for the reading and its status.
Choose the correct mileage status
If the reading is not the vehicle's actual mileage, exceeds the odometer's mechanical limits, or the vehicle is exempt, mark the applicable status instead of presenting the number as actual mileage.
Keep the title and application consistent
The odometer information on the assigned title and Form 130-U should agree. Correct discrepancies before the buyer visits the county tax office.
How to sell a vehicle privately in Texas
A private vehicle sale in Texas comes down to a clean paper trail and a prompt title transfer. The buyer and seller agree on a price, then the seller signs over the title and provides a bill of sale that records who sold the vehicle, who bought it, the vehicle identification number (VIN), the sale price, and the date. Texas does not require the bill of sale itself to be notarized, so you can complete it without a notary.
Your bill of sale should capture the full legal names and addresses of both parties, the year, make, and model of the vehicle, the VIN, the agreed price, and the odometer reading on the day of sale. Federal rules generally require disclosure for model-year 2011 and newer vehicles until they reach 20 years old, subject to specific exemptions. An "as-is" line is common in private Texas sales and makes clear there is no warranty.
To finish the transfer, the buyer takes the signed title, the bill of sale, and Application for Texas Title and/or Registration (Form 130-U) to a county tax office, usually within 30 days of the sale to avoid late transfer penalties. The buyer pays motor vehicle sales tax (calculated on the sale price or the standard presumptive value, whichever applies) along with title and registration fees at that time.
Keep a signed copy for your own records. The seller should also file a Vehicle Transfer Notification with the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles so the state's records show the vehicle is no longer in the seller's name, which helps protect the seller from tolls or tickets the new owner might incur.
Official form: Application for Texas Title and/or Registration (Form 130-U)
What to know in Texas
Notarization is not required in Texas
Enter the odometer reading on the signed title and Form 130-U when disclosure applies
Record seller, buyer, VIN, price, and date
Keep a signed sale record; complete the title transfer within 30 days
More sale paperwork
Related bill of sale guides
Frequently asked questions
Does Texas require a notarized bill of sale?
No. Texas does not require a vehicle bill of sale to be notarized. Both parties simply sign it, and the buyer uses it alongside Form 130-U for the title transfer.
Do I need an odometer reading in Texas?
Yes. A federal odometer disclosure is required for most vehicles at the time of sale, so record the mileage and have both buyer and seller acknowledge it.
What form does Texas use for a vehicle title transfer?
Texas uses Application for Texas Title and/or Registration, Form 130-U, filed at a county tax office. The bill of sale supports the private sale record.
Can I write my own bill of sale in Texas?
Yes. Texas accepts a self-written bill of sale as long as it includes the buyer, seller, VIN, sale price, odometer reading, and date. A clear template helps make sure nothing is missed.
Do both the buyer and seller need to sign in Texas?
It is strongly recommended. Having both parties sign documents the agreement, confirms the odometer reading, and gives each side a record of the sale.
Does a Texas bill of sale transfer vehicle ownership?
No. A bill of sale records the transaction, but it does not transfer title by itself. The seller must properly assign the title, and the buyer must submit the signed title and Form 130-U to the county tax office.
Important note
This is practical paperwork guidance, not legal advice. State DMV rules change; confirm current titling, notarization, and odometer requirements with Texas before relying on this document.