How to Sell an ATV Privately in Alabama (2026)
| Titling agency | No DMV title — bill of sale is the ownership record |
| Sales / use tax | 2% (Private sales taxed at 2% (reduced from dealer rate)) |
| Bill of sale notary | Not required |
| OHV permit required | No separate permit program |
| DMV title issued for ATVs | No — bill of sale only |
| Lien release form | MVT 5-13 |
How to Sell an ATV Privately in Alabama — 8 Steps
- 1Locate the frame VIN — on ATVs the 17-character frame VIN is stamped on the frame near the engine, on the steering head, or on a stamped plate on the left side of the frame rail. Alabama requires this on every bill of sale.
- 2Note the engine displacement and class — ATV engines are sized in cc (cubic centimeters); youth ATVs under 90cc fall under separate Alabama youth-rider rules and may have different registration paths than adult ATVs 250cc+.
- 3Clear any liens — if the ATV was financed, request a payoff quote and lien release letter. Alabama uses MVT 5-13.
- 4Gather documentation — Alabama does not title ATVs, so the bill of sale + maintenance records + manufacturer's owner's manual are your ownership package, and any OHV/trail permit stickers on the ATV.
- 5Price the ATV — check Kelley Blue Book Powersports, NADA Guides (ATVs), and recent Alabama ATV Trader / Craigslist / Facebook Marketplace comps. Hours, condition, aftermarket parts (winch, plow, tires), and youth/adult class all affect value.
- 6Complete the bill of sale — frame VIN, year/make/model, engine displacement, hours (if tracked), sale price, sale date, and both parties' full legal names and addresses.
- 7Hand off the bill of sale and any registration documents — in Alabama there is no DMV title to endorse. The bill of sale itself is the transfer instrument. Provide the buyer with two signed originals and keep one for your records.
- 8File any state-required ATV transfer notice with the local revenue/tax office, pay sales/use tax, and the buyer purchases a new OHV permit. Seller keeps a signed copy of the bill of sale.
Alabama lien release procedure
- Obtain Form MVT 5-13 from the Alabama MVD or the lienholder.
- Lienholder completes and signs MVT 5-13 releasing the lien.
- Submit MVT 5-13 with the existing title and title application at your county probate court.
- Pay the applicable title fee and receive a clean title by mail.
Important — Alabama does not title ATVs
Alabama does not issue DMV titles for ATVs. Ownership transfers entirely through the bill of sale, which functions as the permanent record of sale. Keep one signed original for your files (in case of dispute) and give two signed originals to the buyer. Photograph the VIN and the signed document — these records replace the title chain that exists in title states.
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Start My Alabama ATV Bill of Sale →Frequently Asked Questions — Alabama
Do I need a bill of sale to sell an ATV in Alabama?▾
Yes — and in Alabama the bill of sale is even more important than in title states. Alabama does not issue DMV titles for ATVs, so the signed bill of sale is the sole record of ownership. It must document the 17-character frame VIN, year/make/model, engine displacement, sale price, and both parties' signatures.
Does Alabama title ATVs?▾
No. Alabama does not issue motor vehicle titles for ATVs. Ownership transfers via the bill of sale alone — keep both copies (buyer + seller) indefinitely as the only proof of sale. Some buyers will also want a signed handover photo and a copy of the seller's ID.
What is the Alabama ATV title transfer deadline?▾
Alabama does not title ATVs, so there is no DMV transfer deadline. The buyer should still keep the bill of sale on hand as proof of ownership when riding on public land or selling the ATV later.
Is sales tax owed on a private ATV sale in Alabama?▾
Alabama charges 2% sales/use tax on private ATV sales. Private sales taxed at 2% (reduced from dealer rate) The buyer typically pays the tax at the local revenue/tax office.
Do I need an OHV permit to ride a privately purchased ATV in Alabama?▾
Alabama does not run a separate OHV permit program. The buyer's title/registration plus the bill of sale is sufficient to operate the ATV on public OHV trails. Private-property use does not require additional permits.
Do I need a notary for a Alabama ATV bill of sale?▾
Alabama does not require notarization for a private ATV bill of sale. A signed bill of sale with both parties' information is sufficient as the ownership record.
Source: Alabama DMV ↗ · Last verified 2026-05-07