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Salem, Oregon

Salem Bus Bill of Sale Requirements

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Reviewed against state DMV requirementsLast reviewed: April 20266 min readEditorial policy

Complete requirements checklist for a bus bill of sale in Salem, Oregon. Includes exact fees, notarization rules, and where to file at the Oregon DMV – Salem Office.

Fees, notarization rules, and filing addresses on this page are reviewed against California Vehicle Code § 5900 — Transfer of Title and the Oregon DMV – Salem Office. Source documents are cross-checked each quarter so Salem buyers and sellers always see the current Oregon bus bill of sale standard, not stale third-party summaries.

Title Transfer Fee

$77.00

Sales Tax Rate

0.00%

Notarization

Not Required

Required Fields — Salem Bus Bill of Sale

All of the following must appear on a valid bus bill of sale in Salem, Oregon:

  • Full legal name and current address of seller
  • Full legal name and current address of buyer
  • Agreed sale price (in numerals and words)
  • Date of sale
  • Bus year, make, model, and body style
  • 17-character VIN (Vehicle Identification Number)
  • Signature of seller
  • Signature of buyer

Notarization in Salem: Not Required

Oregon does not require notarization for a bus bill of sale. Oregon does not require notarization. Both parties simply sign and date the completed form in the presence of each other.

Oregon Bus transfer fees and requirements

In Oregon, the title transfer fee is $98.5 and registration costs $122 - $306 for 2-year registration. Bus sales are subject to No sales tax; 0.5% statewide transit tax on new vehicles. Oregon does not require notarization for private-party bus transfers. Emission testing is required in Oregon — verify the bus passes before completing the sale.

  • No state sales tax on vehicle purchases
  • DEQ emissions testing required in Portland and Medford areas
  • Title transfer within 30 days of purchase
  • Use fuel tax applies to electric vehicles

Oregon sales tax on bus purchases

Oregon has a 0% state sales tax rate. No sales tax; 0.5% statewide transit tax on new vehicles only. Private-party bus sales in Oregon may be exempt from state sales tax. Oregon has no state sales tax on vehicle purchases. The title transfer fee is $99.

Bus market data and safety information

The most common bus makes in private-party sales are Blue Bird, Thomas Built, IC Bus, Freightliner, Ford (shuttle). Average private-party bus prices range from $5,000–$100,000. Buss average 3.2 NHTSA recalls per model across categories including Brakes, Engine, Electrical.

Safety checkpoints for buying a used bus

Before completing a bus bill of sale in Oregon, verify these safety items:

  • Verify DOT inspection history — buses have stricter inspection requirements than passenger vehicles
  • Check emergency exit operation for all doors, windows, and roof hatches
  • Inspect brake system including air brake components and ABS function
  • Test all lighting, stop arms (school bus), and warning systems
  • Confirm fire extinguisher is present, properly mounted, and inspection-current
  • Verify first-aid kit and body-fluid cleanup kit are present (school bus requirement)
  • Test child-check reminder system and rearmost rear-aisle alarm (where required)
  • Inspect seat-frame welds and seat-back integrity for all rows

Bus insurance and depreciation in Oregon

Bus insurance varies widely — $3,000–$15,000/year depending on use (shuttle, school, tour). Passenger capacity drives premiums. Retired school buses are cheap ($3,000–$10,000) and popular for conversion projects ("skoolies"). Coach buses retain value better. Peak season for private bus sales is summer when school districts auction retired buses, with an average of 45 days on market.

Bus registration and titling

Buss are classified as "Bus or Commercial motor vehicle — CDL required for 16+ passenger capacity" for registration purposes. School buses typically 14,500–36,000 lbs GVWR. Transit and coach buses can exceed 40,000 lbs. Federal odometer disclosure does not apply to buss.

Bus title transfer rules

Bus title transfer involves commercial vehicle procedures. A CDL with passenger (P) endorsement is required to operate buses carrying more than 15 passengers. School buses have additional regulations including color and equipment requirements for private use. Bus titles carry a commercial classification and list the GVWR and passenger capacity. Converting a commercial bus to private use may require a title reclassification and state inspection.

Odometer disclosure for bus sales

Buses with a GVWR over 16,000 lbs are exempt from federal odometer disclosure under 49 CFR 580.17(a). Smaller buses (shuttle vans, minibuses) under that threshold require standard odometer disclosure.

  • Applicable law: 49 CFR 580.17(a) — Odometer exemption; 49 CFR 383 — CDL with Passenger Endorsement

Required disclosures for bus sales in Oregon

When selling a bus in Oregon, the following disclosures apply:

  • CDL with passenger endorsement (P) is required for buses designed to carry 16 or more passengers including the driver.
  • School bus conversion ("skoolie") buyers should check state laws on repurposed school buses — some states require removal of school bus markings and equipment before private registration.
  • Passenger capacity and seating configuration affect insurance classification and should be documented on the bill of sale.

Oregon bill of sale statistics

BillOfSaleNow has generated 1,038 bill of sale documents for Oregon transactions, with 28 generated this month alone. The most popular vehicle type is car.

Where to File — Salem Title Office

Office

Oregon DMV – Salem Office

Address

1905 Center St NE, Salem, OR 97301

Phone

(503) 945-5000

Hours

Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–5:00 PM

Additional requirements in Marion County:

  • No sales tax on used vehicle purchases
  • Title transfer within 30 days
  • DEQ emissions testing required in Salem area
  • Seller must sign title assignment

What to Bring to the OR DMV

  • 1Completed, signed bus bill of sale
  • 2Bus title signed over by seller on the back
  • 3Valid government-issued photo ID (driver's license or passport)
  • 4Payment for title transfer fee: $77.00
  • 5Payment for sales tax (0.00% of sale price)

FAQ — Bus Bill of Sale Requirements in Salem

What are the required fields on a bus bill of sale in Salem?
A valid bus bill of sale in Salem, Oregon must include both parties' full legal names and addresses, sale date, agreed sale price, VIN, year, make, model, and signatures of buyer and seller.
What is the title transfer fee for a bus in Salem?
The title transfer fee in Marion County is $77.00. The bus sales tax rate is 0.00%. Oregon has no sales tax. No tax on used private-party sales.
Is notarization required for a bus bill of sale in Salem?
No. Oregon does not require notarization.
Where do I file a bus title transfer in Salem?
File the title transfer at the Oregon DMV – Salem Office, 1905 Center St NE, Salem, OR 97301. Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–5:00 PM. Phone: (503) 945-5000.

Trusted by private vehicle sellers nationwide

45% faster sale

Vehicles whose listings include a history report spend ~45% less time on site before selling, and report-viewers are 5x more likely to become a lead.

Source: Experian / AutoCheck

$4,000 avg loss

NHTSA estimates 450,000+ vehicles per year are sold with rolled-back odometers — the average victim loses about $4,000 in downstream repair costs.

Source: NHTSA

17.5M private sales/yr

About 17.5 million private-party vehicle transactions happen in the U.S. each year — roughly 47% of the used market.

Source: Cox Automotive 2024

1 in 3 buyers

Roughly 1 in 3 used-car buyers say they suspect private sellers are hiding mechanical problems — documentation closes that trust gap.

Source: JW Surety Bonds (n=3,000)

$60–$85 mobile notary

Mobile notary visit minimums run $60–$85 — higher on weekends, plus per-mile travel fees. State-formatted documents skip the trip.

Source: Thumbtack / NNA