How to Sell an ATV Privately in Tennessee (2026)
| Titling agency | No DMV title — bill of sale is the ownership record |
| Sales / use tax | 7% (Sales tax applies to private party vehicle purchases) |
| 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 | RV-F1310801 or Title (lien section) |
How to Sell an ATV Privately in Tennessee — 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. Tennessee 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 Tennessee 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. Tennessee uses RV-F1310801 or Title (lien section).
- 4Gather documentation — Tennessee 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 Tennessee 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 Tennessee 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.
Tennessee lien release procedure
- Lienholder completes Form RV-F1310801 or the lien release section on the existing Tennessee title.
- Owner submits the lien release with the title and title application at a county clerk's office.
- Pay the title fee and receive a clean Tennessee title.
Important — Tennessee does not title ATVs
Tennessee 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 Tennessee ATV Bill of Sale →Frequently Asked Questions — Tennessee
Do I need a bill of sale to sell an ATV in Tennessee?▾
Yes — and in Tennessee the bill of sale is even more important than in title states. Tennessee 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 Tennessee title ATVs?▾
No. Tennessee 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 Tennessee ATV title transfer deadline?▾
Tennessee 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 Tennessee?▾
Tennessee charges 7% sales/use tax on private ATV sales. Sales tax applies to private party vehicle purchases 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 Tennessee?▾
Tennessee 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 Tennessee ATV bill of sale?▾
Tennessee 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: Tennessee DMV ↗ · Last verified 2026-05-07