BillOfSaleNow

Just Sold My RV in Indiana — What’s Next? (2026)

BN
Reviewed against state DMV requirementsLast reviewed: May 20266 min readEditorial policy
You just sold an RV in Indiana. The sale is not legally complete until you file a release of liability with Indiana DMV and the buyer titles the RV within 45 days. Indiana charges 7% sales/use tax at title transfer (buyer pays).

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Indiana RV sale facts

Titling agencyIndiana DMV
Title transfer deadline45 days from sale
Release of liabilityFile with Indiana DMV within 5 days
Buyer’s sales / use tax7% (Sales tax applies to private party vehicle purchases)
Bill of sale notaryNot required
Title fee (buyer pays)$15
RV identifierchassis VIN (and coach serial if applicable)

Your Indiana RV post-sale checklist

  1. 1

    Keep your signed Indiana bill of sale

    This is your proof that you sold the RV on the sale date. If the buyer gets a ticket, is in an accident, or fails to transfer the title within 45 days from the sale date, the Indiana bill of sale shields you from liability. Keep both your copy and a scan for at least 5 years.

  2. 2

    File a release of liability with Indiana DMV

    Most Indiana sellers file this online through Indiana DMV within 5 days of the sale. Filing removes you from records as the registered owner so any post-sale tickets, tolls, or accidents become the buyer's responsibility, not yours. Indiana requires the buyer to title the RV within 45 days — your release filing protects you if the buyer misses that deadline.

  3. 3

    Cancel or transfer your RV insurance

    Contact your insurer the same day you hand over the keys. Indiana does not require you to maintain insurance on a vehicle you no longer own, but you must not cancel before the sale is complete. If you are replacing the RV with another, transfer the policy instead — many insurers offer a short grace period to bind coverage on the new vehicle.

  4. 4

    Remove your license plates

    In Indiana, plates go with the seller — not with the RV. Remove the plate(s) before the buyer drives or rides away. You can return them to Indiana DMV or transfer them to your next vehicle.

  5. 5

    Verify the 45-day title transfer window

    Indiana requires the buyer to retitle the RV at Indiana DMV within 45 days of the sale date. If you have not received confirmation that the title has been transferred by day 50, contact Indiana DMV with your bill of sale and release-of-liability filing number to confirm the change of ownership.

  6. 6

    Confirm your Indiana tax obligations (seller's side)

    Indiana charges 7% sales/use tax on private-party RV sales — the buyer pays this at Indiana DMV when titling. Sales tax applies to private party vehicle purchases. Sellers generally do not owe Indiana sales tax, but if the RV sold for more than your original purchase price you may owe federal capital gains tax. Consult a tax advisor.

  7. 7

    Watch for liens or loan payoff confirmation

    If you had a loan on the RV, confirm the lender received the buyer's payoff and has released the lien on the Indiana title before you deliver the title. Indiana uses State Form 1014 as the lien release form — your lender will file this with Indiana DMV to clear the title record.

RV-specific note

Motorhomes (Class A/B/C) title under the chassis VIN; towable RVs (5th-wheels, travel trailers) title separately from the tow vehicle and may use a trailer-specific title category. Confirm both VIN and coach serial are recorded on the bill of sale.

Indiana lien release procedure

  1. Obtain State Form 1014 from the Indiana BMV or the lienholder.
  2. Lienholder completes and signs State Form 1014 releasing the lien.
  3. Submit State Form 1014 with the existing title and title application at an Indiana BMV branch.
  4. Pay the title fee and receive a clean Indiana title.

Frequently Asked Questions — Indiana

How long do I have to file a release of liability in Indiana?

Indiana sellers should file a release of liability with Indiana DMV within 5 days of the sale. Most Indiana sellers can file this online directly through Indiana DMV. Filing removes you from records as the registered owner so any post-sale tickets, tolls, or accidents fall on the buyer.

What is the Indiana title transfer deadline for an RV?

Indiana requires the buyer to title the RV within 45 days of the sale date. Missing the deadline can trigger late fees and back-dated registration penalties.

Do I owe Indiana sales tax on the RV I just sold?

Indiana charges 7% sales/use tax on private-party RV sales. Sales tax applies to private party vehicle purchases. The buyer typically pays this at Indiana DMV when titling — sellers generally owe no Indiana sales tax on the proceeds. You may owe federal capital gains if you sold for more than the original purchase price.

Does Indiana require a notary on the RV bill of sale?

No. Indiana does not require notarization for a private RV bill of sale. A signed bill of sale with both parties' full names, addresses, signatures, and the date is sufficient for Indiana DMV.

How does the buyer register the RV in Indiana?

The buyer brings the signed bill of sale and endorsed title to Indiana DMV, pays the title fee (~$15) plus 7% sales/use tax, and receives a new Indiana title in their name. Transfer must be completed within 45 days of the sale date.

Do I record the chassis VIN or the coach serial number on the bill of sale?

Both — the chassis VIN is the one that titles the motorhome (it is the VIN of the cab chassis built by Ford, Chevy, Mercedes-Benz, or Freightliner). The coach serial is built by the RV manufacturer (Winnebago, Thor, Forest River, etc.) and identifies the living-quarters build. Record both on the bill of sale so the buyer has a complete record. Towable RVs (5th-wheels, travel trailers) carry their own single VIN and title separately from the tow vehicle.

Do weight-class title fees apply when I sell my RV?

In several states (CA, TX, NY, PA, IL, OH, GA, MI, WA, OR) title fees scale with the RV's GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating). The buyer pays these fees at the DMV — sellers do not pay them. Make sure your bill of sale records the GVWR so the buyer can confirm the fee at title transfer.

Used BillOfSaleNow for your sale?

Quick review helps other Indiana sellers find a tool that protects them.

Source: Indiana DMV · Last verified 2026-05-07

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