Tennessee Car Bill of Sale: Form RV-F1310301 + Requirements

Tennessee is one of 16 US states that require a bill of sale for private vehicle title transfer. The state publishes Form RV-F1310301 (Bill of Sale). Tennessee's structural quirk: local sales tax is capped at $1,600 per single article for motor vehicles.

Create my listing free →

Is a bill of sale required in Tennessee?

Yes. TN requires a signed bill of sale for private vehicle title transfer.

Notarization

Not required.

State-specific form

Form RV-F1310301 (Bill of Sale) is Tennessee's standard form. Available at tn.gov/revenue.

The form must include:

Seller's full legal name, address
Buyer's full legal name, address
Vehicle year, make, model, body type, VIN
Odometer reading
Sale price
Date of sale
Both signatures

Sales tax implications

Tennessee state sales tax: 7% + local. Major counties:

Davidson (Nashville): 9.25%
Shelby (Memphis): 9.75%

Local portion is capped at $1,600 per single article. This caps the local-tax exposure on high-value vehicles.

The buyer pays at the county clerk's office at title transfer.

State-specific seller disclosures

Odometer disclosure: federally required for vehicles under 20 years old
No statewide emissions testing: limited program in some counties
Salvage title disclosure: required if branded

Where to file

The buyer files at the county clerk's office in their county of residence within 30 days of sale.

For a more complete national reference, see the national bill of sale guide, Nashville, and Memphis guides.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a bill of sale in Tennessee?

Yes. TN requires a signed bill of sale for private vehicle title transfer.

Does TN require a notarized bill of sale?

No.

What's the sales tax on a private car sale in TN?

State 7% + local. Nashville (Davidson) 9.25%; Memphis (Shelby) 9.75%. Local portion capped at $1,600 per single article.

What form do I use?

Form RV-F1310301 (TN Bill of Sale), available at tn.gov/revenue.

Where do I file the bill of sale in TN?

At the county clerk's office in the buyer's county of residence. Within 30 days of sale.

Does TN require emissions testing?

Limited program in some counties. Most TN counties don't require periodic emissions inspection.

What if I lost the title in TN?

Apply for a duplicate at the county clerk's office.

Should I disclose flaws on the bill of sale?

The "as-is" disclosure covers most. Disclose salvage or rebuilt status and major defects.

Selling a car in Tennessee?

Generate a Nashville-, Memphis-, or Knoxville-ready listing for Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and Cars.com from one upload. About ten minutes total.