Vehicle Bill of Sale

What is a vehicle bill of sale?

A vehicle bill of sale, also known as an automobile bill of sale, is a mandatory legal document used to confirm the transfer of ownership of the vehicle from the seller to the buyer in Australia. Without a bill of sale, the sale-purchase transaction cannot be properly finalised. This automobile bill of sale template defines key elements of the transaction, including:

• identification details of the seller and the buyer;
• details of the vehicle (such as colour, make, and model);
• vehicle’s identification number (VIN);
• purchase price; and
• transfer of title.

At first glance this vehicle bill of sale template may appear similar to a vehicle sale-purchase agreement, as both documents relate to the sale of vehicles. However, these documents represent different stages of the transaction.

At the level of the vehicle sale-purchase agreement, the parties agree on the future terms of the sale. For example, by which date the full price must be paid, where the vehicle shall be delivered and when the transfer of keys will be handed over. Under a bill of sale for car or other vehicle, the transaction is finalised. In other words, the bill of sale serves as a receipt of the completed sale-purchase transaction.

The parties involved in the bill of vehicle sale are the seller and the buyer. Both parties may be individuals, companies or businesses operating in Australia or overseas. This document is suitable for the sale-purchase of a vehicle registered in Australia.

When do you need this vehicle bill of sale template?

A properly drafted bill of sale document template facilitates the transaction, ensures the correct transfer of ownership, and protects rights of both parties. This document can be useful when:

• transferring vehicles between individuals, friends or family members;
• selling or purchasing vehicles for commercial purposes, such as car hire agencies, delivery businesses;
• purchasing vehicles as a first-time buyer from a car dealership.

All in all, in Australia any transaction involving the transfer of a vehicle should be supported by an automobile bill of sale template or a similar document.

What does this vehicle bill of sale template include?

A complete and well-drafted sample bill of sale template should include the following information:

• Details of the parties. Full legal name, mailing address, and ACN or ABN numbers (when applicable) should be included.
• Vehicle Identification. This section should clearly describe the vehicle being sold, including make, model, year of manufacture, VIN number, and odometer reading. It is also a good practice to include a seller’s declaration confirming the accuracy of the odometer reading, provided it has never been altered.
• Purchase Price. At the time of signing a bill of sale for a car, the purchase price has already been paid. Therefore, the document should confirm that a payment has been duly received. It is also important to state whether the price is inclusive or exclusive of GST.
• Transfer of Ownership. The bill of sale confirms the transfer of ownership from the seller to the buyer. The document must contain such a confirmation.

What are the main features of this bill of sale document template?

By customising your automobile bill of sale template with FasterDraft, you get the document that:

• is written in professional language by legal professionals;
• is available in both PDF and Word formats;
• is tailored to your specific case;
• complies with general contract law principles, as well as the Competition and Consumer Act, GST Act, and other applicable legislation;
• reflects best industry practice.

How to customise this bill of sale document template with FasterDraft?

To get a fully customisable document template, follow a few easy steps below:

1. Click the “Create Document” button.
2. Answer simple questions in this car bill of sale form.
3. Select a template’s format – PDF or Word document.
4. Make a payment.

The document is ready for instant download right after the purchase.

Vehicle bill of sale checklist

Read the Document

Once the document is complete and ready, both parties must read it carefully to ensure:

• The document reflects the parties’ details correctly.
• The document does not contain major grammar mistakes; and
• The vehicle’s identification details are correct.

Sign the Document

After this auto bill of sale document is ready, both parties must sign it. The parties can put their signature on the same date or on different dates. Without signatures, the document cannot become legally valid.

The document must be signed in two copies, with one copy retained by each party. It is important to keep a copy as legal proof of a completed transaction.

Register the Vehicle

After completing all formalities, the buyer has to be registered as the new owner of the vehicle. To do this, a copy of a signed bill of vehicle sale shall be submitted to the state or territory road department.