How to Sell an ATV Privately in Mississippi (2026)
| Titling agency | No DMV title — bill of sale is the ownership record |
| Sales / use tax | 5% (Sales tax applies at the reduced 5% vehicle 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 | Mississippi Title (lien section) |
How to Sell an ATV Privately in Mississippi — 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. Mississippi 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 Mississippi 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. Mississippi uses Mississippi Title (lien section).
- 4Gather documentation — Mississippi 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 Mississippi 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 Mississippi 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.
Mississippi lien release procedure
- Lienholder completes the lien release section on the back of the existing Mississippi title.
- Owner submits the released title and title application at the county tax collector's office.
- Pay the title fee and receive a clean Mississippi title.
Important — Mississippi does not title ATVs
Mississippi 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.
Generate your Mississippi ATV bill of sale
Compliant with Mississippi DMV requirements. From $9 — instant PDF, no signup.
Start My Mississippi ATV Bill of Sale →Frequently Asked Questions — Mississippi
Do I need a bill of sale to sell an ATV in Mississippi?▾
Yes — and in Mississippi the bill of sale is even more important than in title states. Mississippi 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 Mississippi title ATVs?▾
No. Mississippi 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 Mississippi ATV title transfer deadline?▾
Mississippi 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 Mississippi?▾
Mississippi charges 5% sales/use tax on private ATV sales. Sales tax applies at the reduced 5% vehicle 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 Mississippi?▾
Mississippi 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 Mississippi ATV bill of sale?▾
Mississippi 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: Mississippi DMV ↗ · Last verified 2026-05-07