Create Des Moines, Iowa Bus Bill of Sale Online

What to include

• Buyer and seller names and addresses
• Bus VIN and vehicle details
• Sale price and date
• Signatures from both parties

Next step

Create a compliant bill of sale and download the signed PDF immediately.

Bus title transfer deadline in Iowa

Iowa gives the buyer 30 days from the sale date on the bill of sale to complete the bus title transfer at the Polk County Treasurer – Motor Vehicle in Des Moines. Miss the 30-day window and Iowa charges a late-transfer penalty of typically $25-50 plus accrued use tax, and the seller can still appear on the title for civil liability if the buyer crashes the vehicle before retitling. Keep your signed bill of sale and the assigned title together and file as soon as you can, even if registration plates will be transferred later.

File at the Polk County Treasurer – Motor Vehicle (111 Court Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309). Bring the signed title, the completed Des Moines bill of sale, your ID, and payment for the $25.00 title transfer fee plus 5.00% sales tax on the purchase price.

Bus mechanical pre-purchase checklist for Des Moines buyers

Before you sign the Des Moines bill of sale, walk through this inspection on thebus. A pre-purchase inspection costs $100-200 and routinely uncovers $1,000+ in deferred maintenance — that is the figure you negotiate off the price or walk away from entirely. Use this list as your shortlist when you meet the seller or when a local mechanic looks the vehicle over.

Common mechanical issues to inspect

• Pull diesel engine oil sample and ECM data for hours, idle history, and faults
• Verify air-brake build time and check for leaks (governor cuts in by 60 PSI/90 sec)
• Inspect frame for cracks at body-mount cross-members and rear suspension hangers
• Test all wheelchair lift cycles (where equipped) and check hydraulic lines
• Check rear differential fluid for metal shavings and listen for whine
• Inspect emergency-exit rear-door hinges and window-egress release mechanisms

Safety checkpoints

• Verify DOT inspection history — buses have stricter inspection requirements than passenger vehicles
• Check emergency exit operation for all doors, windows, and roof hatches
• Inspect brake system including air brake components and ABS function
• Test all lighting, stop arms (school bus), and warning systems
• Confirm fire extinguisher is present, properly mounted, and inspection-current
• Verify first-aid kit and body-fluid cleanup kit are present (school bus requirement)

Title documentation notes. Buses are titled as commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) when GVWR exceeds 26,000 lbs or seating capacity is 16+ passengers, requiring the operator to hold a CDL with a P (passenger) endorsement and an S (school bus) endorsement where applicable. Retired school buses bound for "skoolie" conversion are typically retitled with the body class changed from "bus" to "motorhome" after the seats are removed and an interior conversion is documented. Federal odometer disclosure does not apply over 16,000 lbs GVWR.