When should I use the odometer exempt page?
Use this page when your boat sale in Texas fits a odometer exempt scenario. It walks you through the specific disclosures and details that apply to this type of transaction.
Odometer exempt — Texas
Texas Boat bill of sale for odometer exempt
Complete your Texas boat bill of sale for a odometer exempt transaction. Enter buyer and seller details, vehicle information, and generate a signed PDF in minutes.
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What to know about odometer exempt sales in Texas
Under 49 CFR § 580.17 as amended in 2021, the age exemption is two-tier: vehicles of model year 2010 or older are exempt (the old 10-year rule), but model year 2011 and newer vehicles are exempt only once they are 20 or more model years old — a 2011-or-newer vehicle that is merely 10+ years old still requires full odometer disclosure. You still must not knowingly falsify mileage. Even if federally exempt, some states have their own mileage disclosure requirements — document the known odometer reading in the bill of sale regardless.
What to include in your bill of sale
- Full legal names and addresses for both buyer and seller.
- Boat make, model, year, VIN, and current mileage.
- Agreed sale price, payment method, and transaction date.
- Any odometer exempt-specific disclosures required in Texas.
Seller guidance
In the odometer disclosure section of the Texas title certificate and on Form 130-U, select or write 'EXEMPT' in the odometer brand field — do not leave it blank or enter a mileage figure. No separate odometer disclosure form is required; the exemption claim is made directly on the title assignment and Form 130-U submitted to the county tax assessor-collector.
Buyer guidance
Confirm the seller has marked 'EXEMPT' in the odometer disclosure section of both the title and Form 130-U before you submit the title application; a blank field is not the same as a lawful exemption notation. An exempt designation means state and federal law do not require a mileage reading, though you may still request a best-estimate mileage from the seller for your own records.
Texas-Specific Note
Texas Transportation Code § 501.072(c) exempts a vehicle from odometer disclosure when it qualifies under 49 C.F.R. Part 580, adopting federal exemptions by reference with no independent state-law threshold. Under the NHTSA final rule amending 49 C.F.R. § 580.17 (issued October 2, 2019, 84 FR 52664, as clarified by 84 FR 65019, November 26, 2019, effective January 1, 2021), vehicles of MY 2011 or newer are not exempt until 20 model years old (first qualifying year: 2031), while MY 2010-and-older vehicles remain exempt under the grandfathered 10-year rule; vehicles with a GVWR over 16,000 lbs and non-self-propelled vehicles are also exempt. Knowingly providing false information on Form 130-U or the title assignment — including the odometer disclosure fields embedded in those required transfer documents — reaches the felony-of-the-third-degree provision of Tex. Transp. Code § 501.155 via its catchall covering documents required by the department or necessary to the transfer of ownership; a separate federal civil penalty applies under 49 U.S.C. § 32709.
Legal considerations
Texas Transportation Code § 501.072(c) exempts a vehicle from odometer disclosure when it qualifies under 49 C.F.R. Part 580, adopting federal exemptions by reference with no independent state-law threshold. Under the NHTSA final rule amending 49 C.F.R. § 580.17 (issued October 2, 2019, 84 FR 52664, as clarified by 84 FR 65019, November 26, 2019, effective January 1, 2021), vehicles of MY 2011 or newer are not exempt until 20 model years old (first qualifying year: 2031), while MY 2010-and-older vehicles remain exempt under the grandfathered 10-year rule; vehicles with a GVWR over 16,000 lbs and non-self-propelled vehicles are also exempt. Knowingly providing false information on Form 130-U or the title assignment — including the odometer disclosure fields embedded in those required transfer documents — reaches the felony-of-the-third-degree provision of Tex. Transp. Code § 501.155 via its catchall covering documents required by the department or necessary to the transfer of ownership; a separate federal civil penalty applies under 49 U.S.C. § 32709.
Texas Boat transfer fees and requirements
In Texas, the title transfer fee is $33 and registration costs $50.75 per year. Boat sales are subject to 6.25% motor vehicle sales tax on purchase price. Texas does not require notarization for private-party boat transfers. Emission testing is required in Texas — verify the boat passes before completing the sale.
- Annual safety inspection required; emissions testing in select counties
- Title transfer within 30 days at county tax office
- Form 130-U required for title transfer
- Standard Presumptive Value (SPV) used for tax assessment on private sales
Texas sales tax on boat purchases
Texas has a 6.25% state sales tax rate. Flat 6.25% motor vehicle sales tax statewide. Private-party boat sales in Texas are subject to sales tax. Tax based on Standard Presumptive Value (SPV) or purchase price, whichever is higher. The title transfer fee is $33.
Boat market data and safety information
The most common boat makes in private-party sales are Bayliner, Sea Ray, Boston Whaler, Tracker, Yamaha. Average private-party boat prices range from $5,000–$75,000. Boats average 1.8 NHTSA recalls per model across categories including Fuel System, Electrical, Steering.
Safety checkpoints for buying a used boat
Before completing a boat bill of sale in Texas, verify these safety items:
- Verify Hull Identification Number (HIN) matches registration documents
- Check for delamination, blistering, or water intrusion in fiberglass hulls
- Inspect transom for softness or rot — the most expensive structural repair
- Test all bilge pumps, navigation lights, and required safety equipment
- Confirm USCG-required PFDs, throwable cushion, and visual distress signals are present
- Verify fire extinguisher is current and properly sized for vessel length
- Test carbon monoxide detector function on cabin boats
- Confirm kill-switch lanyard operation cuts engine immediately
Boat insurance and depreciation in Texas
Boat insurance averages $200–$500/year for boats under 26 ft. Agreed-value policies are preferred over actual-cash-value. Boats depreciate 30–40% in the first 5 years. Aluminum fishing boats hold value better than fiberglass sport boats. Peak season for private boat sales is early spring (march–may) ahead of boating season, with an average of 45 days on market.
Boat registration and titling
Boats are classified as "Watercraft (state-registered) or USCG-documented vessel" for registration purposes. Boats are measured by length, not weight, for registration. Trailers have separate weight-based registration. Federal odometer disclosure does not apply to boats.
Safety tips for odometer exempt boat transactions
When completing a odometer exempt boat sale in Texas, always verify the vehicle against NHTSA recall databases. The most common boat recall categories are Fuel System, Electrical, Steering. Check recalls at NHTSA.gov/recalls before signing the bill of sale.
Checklist for odometer exempt boat sale in Texas
- Confirm the vehicle qualifies: model year 2010 or older, OR model year 2011+ and 20+ model years old, OR GVWR over 16,000 lbs
- Check your state's mileage disclosure rules — some exceed the federal minimum
- Record the actual known mileage in the bill of sale voluntarily
- Note on the bill of sale that odometer disclosure is exempt under 49 CFR § 580.17
- Retain a copy of the bill of sale showing the exempt-disclosure notation
- Verify the vehicle meets a 49 C.F.R. Part 580 exemption category before omitting mileage: MY 2010 or older and at least 10 years old, OR MY 2011 or newer and at least 20 years old, OR GVWR over 16,000 lbs, OR non-self-propelled
- Write or select 'EXEMPT' in the odometer brand field on the face of the Texas title certificate and on Form 130-U
- Submit Form 130-U to the county tax assessor-collector within 30 days of the sale date per Tex. Transp. Code § 501.145
- Retain copies of the signed title and Form 130-U — false odometer disclosure on required transfer documents is a third-degree felony under Tex. Transp. Code § 501.155
Need the printable workflow?
Use the main Texas boat bill of sale flow when you are ready to generate the completed document.
Open Texas Boat bill of saleThe Private Vehicle Sale Market
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
Other Texas boat sale situations
Frequently asked questions
Why does the odometer exempt scenario have its own page?
Different sale scenarios — such as private party, dealer, or gifted transfers — have different documentation requirements. This page focuses on what buyers and sellers need for a odometer exempt transaction specifically.
What should be included in this bill of sale?
Include the buyer and seller details, vehicle identifiers, sale price, date, signatures, and any notes specific to the odometer exempt transaction.
What are the Texas fees for a odometer exempt boat transfer?
Texas charges a $33 title transfer fee. Registration costs $50.75 per year. Sales tax: 6.25% motor vehicle sales tax on purchase price. Notarization is not required for most transfers.
What boat makes are most commonly sold in Texas?
The most popular boat makes in private-party sales are Bayliner, Sea Ray, Boston Whaler, Tracker, Yamaha. Average private-party prices range from $5,000–$75,000.
Do I pay sales tax on a odometer exempt boat sale in Texas?
Texas has a 6.25% state sales tax rate. Tax based on Standard Presumptive Value (SPV) or purchase price, whichever is higher
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