Below is a fictional example showing what a completed suv bill of sale looks like for Devine, Texas:
Seller
Jane Devine
Buyer
Michael Devine
Vehicle
2019 SUV
VIN
1HGBH41JXMN109186
Mileage
45,230 miles
Sale Price
$12,500.00
Date
April 8, 2026
Condition
As-Is, No Warranty
Key Sections Explained
VIN (Vehicle Identification Number)
The unique 17-character code assigned to every motor vehicle. Always verify this matches the title and the plate on the dashboard.
Odometer Disclosure
Federal law requires the seller to certify the mileage reading. Tampering with an odometer is a federal crime.
As-Is Clause
States the vehicle is sold without warranty. The buyer accepts all risk for future repairs unless otherwise noted.
Signatures & Date
Both parties must sign and date the document. Some states require signatures to be witnessed or notarized.
This is a sample only
Replace all names, vehicle details, and prices with your actual transaction information. Use our generator to create a legally compliant document for your real sale.
Gift transfer — What You Need to Know
The vehicle is transferred to the recipient with no monetary consideration. Gift transfers often have special tax implications and may require notarization depending on the state.
Seller guidance
If the vehicle's fair market value exceeds the annual gift tax exclusion ($18,000 for 2024 per IRS), the donor must file IRS Form 709 (United States Gift and Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax Return). The lifetime exemption ($13.61 million in 2024) typically means no tax is owed, but the form is still required. Some states require the word "gift" on the title or a separate gift affidavit to waive use tax.
Buyer guidance
You will likely owe use tax on the fair market value of the vehicle at registration unless your state exempts immediate family gifts. California, for example, exempts transfers between parents, children, spouses, and domestic partners. Check your state DMV for exemption eligibility.
Legal note (Texas-specific)
Texas Form 14-317 (Affidavit of Motor Vehicle Gift Transfer) is required to claim the gift exemption. The recipient must be an eligible family member: spouse, parent, stepparent, child, stepchild, sibling, grandparent, grandchild, or legal guardian. A $10 gift tax replaces standard sales tax. Present the affidavit at the county tax office within 30 days.
Gift transfer checklist
Establish fair market value (Kelley Blue Book or comparable)
Determine if IRS Form 709 filing is required (value >$18,000 in 2024)
Obtain state-specific gift affidavit or complete the gift section on the title
Confirm state sales/use tax exemption eligibility for family gifts
Notarize the bill of sale or gift affidavit if your state requires it
Complete Form 14-317 (Affidavit of Motor Vehicle Gift Transfer)
Pay the $10 gift tax at the county tax assessor-collector office
Transfer title within 30 days at the county tax office
SUV Safety & Recall Information
Data sourced from NHTSA safety ratings and recall databases
Average Safety Rating
4.3 / 5
Avg. Price Range
$8,000–$45,000
Odometer Disclosure
Required
Safety checkpoints for suv buyers
Verify AWD/4WD system operation — transfer case and differential fluid should be serviced per schedule
Check for Takata airbag recall status (SUVs were heavily affected)
Inspect suspension components for wear — SUVs carry more weight than sedans
Test third-row seating mechanisms and latches if equipped
Verify roof-rack mounting points and crossbar attachment integrity
Confirm tire-pressure monitoring system warns correctly
Test rollover sensor function (lift-gate test where applicable)
Inspect side curtain airbag deployment paths are unobstructed
Common recall categories
AirbagsPower TrainElectricalFuel SystemBrakes
On average, each suv model has approximately 3.4 recalls. Always check your specific vehicle at NHTSA.gov/recalls before completing a sale.
Texas Tax & Fee Summary
State Sales Tax Rate
6.25%
Title Transfer Fee
$33
Private Party Exempt
No
Flat 6.25% motor vehicle sales tax statewide
Tax based on Standard Presumptive Value (SPV) or purchase price, whichever is higher
Before signing your gift transfer bill of sale in Devine, run a NHTSA recall check on the specific year and model. Recent-model suvs with the most open recalls:
Model + year
NHTSA recalls
Top categories
2020 Ford Explorer
31
Back Over Prevention, Power Train, Seat Belts
2021 Ford Explorer
24
Back Over Prevention, Power Train, Engine
2022 Ford Explorer
23
Back Over Prevention, Power Train, Fuel System
2020 Ford Escape
23
Electrical System, Power Train, Back Over Prevention
2022 Ford Bronco
20
Back Over Prevention, Power Train, Equipment
Run a NHTSA VIN lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls before purchase — open recalls are the seller’s responsibility to disclose under federal law, and unresolved campaigns are a routine negotiating point on the gift transfer sale price.
Devine Gift transfer suv example — when to file
Texas requires title transfer within 30 days of the sale date on the bill of sale. For gift transfer transactions specifically, file at Texas TxDMV – Devine (Visit https://www.txdmv.gov to find the nearest Devine office) during normal hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–5:00 PM (verify hours with local office). Texas TX does not require a notarized bill of sale; however, Form 14-317 (Affidavit of Motor Vehicle Gift Transfer) must be notarized. Miss the 30-day window and Texas typically charges a late-transfer penalty plus accrued use tax, and the seller can remain on the title for civil liability until the buyer completes retitling. Bring the signed title, the completed Devine bill of sale, your government-issued ID, and payment for the $33.00 title transfer fee plus 6.25% sales tax on the purchase price.
Example reminder. Whether you keep your example as a reference example, both buyer and seller should leave the signing with an identical executed copy. The buyer needs the original to present at Texas TxDMV – Devine; the seller keeps a duplicate to prove the date of transfer if a future liability question arises before the title fully retitles.
Frequently asked questions
What gift transfer documents do I need for a suv sale in Devine, Texas?
For a gift transfer suv transaction in Devine, you need: Establish fair market value (Kelley Blue Book or comparable); Determine if IRS Form 709 filing is required (value >$18,000 in 2024); Obtain state-specific gift affidavit or complete the gift section on the title; Confirm state sales/use tax exemption eligibility for family gifts; Notarize the bill of sale or gift affidavit if your state requires it; Complete Form 14-317 (Affidavit of Motor Vehicle Gift Transfer); Pay the $10 gift tax at the county tax assessor-collector office; Transfer title within 30 days at the county tax office.
What is the sales tax on a suv private sale in Devine, Texas?
The Texas state sales tax rate is 6.25%. Flat 6.25% motor vehicle sales tax statewide. Tax based on Standard Presumptive Value (SPV) or purchase price, whichever is higher
Do I need to notarize a suv bill of sale in Texas?
Check with your local Texas DMV office for notarization requirements. Requirements can vary by county.
What are common recalls for a suv?
Common recall categories for suvs include: Airbags, Power Train, Electrical, Fuel System, Brakes. On average, each suv model has approximately 3.4 recalls. Always check your specific vehicle at NHTSA.gov before completing a sale.
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