When should I use the family transfer page?
Use this page when your semi truck sale in Texas fits a family transfer scenario. It walks you through the specific disclosures and details that apply to this type of transaction.
Family transfer — Texas
Texas Semi Truck bill of sale for family transfer
Complete your Texas semi truck bill of sale for a family transfer transaction. Enter buyer and seller details, vehicle information, and generate a signed PDF in minutes.
TexasSemi TruckFamily transfer
What to know about family transfer sales in Texas
Identify whether your state's DMV has a specific family transfer exemption form or requires a relationship affidavit. Qualifying relationships vary by state but typically include spouses, parents, children, siblings, and grandparents. Keep the bill of sale simple and clearly state the relationship.
What to include in your bill of sale
- Full legal names and addresses for both buyer and seller.
- Semi Truck make, model, year, VIN, and current mileage.
- Agreed sale price, payment method, and transaction date.
- Any family transfer-specific disclosures required in Texas.
Seller guidance
The donor signs the joint Form 14-317 — County Tax Assessor-Collector staff may acknowledge the donor's or recipient's signature in lieu of formal notarization when signed in their presence, or any notary (including out-of-state) may notarize it. A donor unable to appear may grant a written power of attorney so an authorized agent can sign and file on their behalf; a motor vehicle title service may not file the affidavit.
Buyer guidance
Form 14-317 and Form 130-U (Application for Texas Title and/or Registration) must be filed in person at the County Tax Assessor-Collector's office by the recipient, the donor, or an authorized agent with a power of attorney and photo ID — the $10 gift tax is paid at filing. File within 30 days of the transfer date to avoid the Transportation Code delinquent transfer penalty of up to $250.
Texas-Specific Note
Under Texas Tax Code § 152.025 and Comptroller Publication 96-254, eligible transfers of a motor vehicle for no consideration are subject only to a $10 gift tax, documented on Form 14-317 (Affidavit of Motor Vehicle Gift Transfer); eligible parties include spouses (separate property only), parents, stepparents, children, stepchildren, siblings, in-laws (parent, child, or sibling in-laws), grandparents through great-grandparents and grandchildren through great-grandchildren (including in-law variants), guardians, qualifying 501(c)(3) nonprofit service organizations, and certain trusts — but aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins are ineligible and trigger standard motor vehicle sales tax. Community property transfers between spouses are nontaxable and fall outside the gift tax path entirely; only separate-property spousal transfers use the $10 gift tax and Form 14-317. Effective September 1, 2025, Senate Bill 2064 added Tax Code § 152.094, eliminating all motor vehicle tax — including the $10 gift tax — on vehicles transferred to a distributee from a decedent's estate by will, intestate succession, or a Rights of Survivorship Agreement, provided the transfer to the distributee occurs on or after September 1, 2025. If the recipient assumes an outstanding loan, the transfer is a taxable sale with tax due on the greater of the total consideration or 80% of the vehicle's Standard Presumptive Value under Tax Code § 152.0412.
Legal considerations
Under Texas Tax Code § 152.025 and Comptroller Publication 96-254, eligible transfers of a motor vehicle for no consideration are subject only to a $10 gift tax, documented on Form 14-317 (Affidavit of Motor Vehicle Gift Transfer); eligible parties include spouses (separate property only), parents, stepparents, children, stepchildren, siblings, in-laws (parent, child, or sibling in-laws), grandparents through great-grandparents and grandchildren through great-grandchildren (including in-law variants), guardians, qualifying 501(c)(3) nonprofit service organizations, and certain trusts — but aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins are ineligible and trigger standard motor vehicle sales tax. Community property transfers between spouses are nontaxable and fall outside the gift tax path entirely; only separate-property spousal transfers use the $10 gift tax and Form 14-317. Effective September 1, 2025, Senate Bill 2064 added Tax Code § 152.094, eliminating all motor vehicle tax — including the $10 gift tax — on vehicles transferred to a distributee from a decedent's estate by will, intestate succession, or a Rights of Survivorship Agreement, provided the transfer to the distributee occurs on or after September 1, 2025. If the recipient assumes an outstanding loan, the transfer is a taxable sale with tax due on the greater of the total consideration or 80% of the vehicle's Standard Presumptive Value under Tax Code § 152.0412.
Texas Semi Truck transfer fees and requirements
In Texas, the title transfer fee is $33 and registration costs $50.75 per year. Semi Truck sales are subject to 6.25% motor vehicle sales tax on purchase price. Texas does not require notarization for private-party semi truck transfers. Emission testing is required in Texas — verify the semi truck 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 semi truck purchases
Texas has a 6.25% state sales tax rate. Flat 6.25% motor vehicle sales tax statewide. Private-party semi truck 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.
Semi Truck market data and safety information
The most common semi truck makes in private-party sales are Freightliner, Kenworth, Peterbilt, Volvo, International. Average private-party semi truck prices range from $20,000–$180,000. Semi trucks average 4.5 NHTSA recalls per model across categories including Brakes, Engine/Emissions, Electrical.
Safety checkpoints for buying a used semi truck
Before completing a semi truck bill of sale in Texas, verify these safety items:
- Inspect brake system — air brake components, slack adjusters, and pad condition
- Check DPF/DEF emission system status — deletion is federally illegal and affects value
- Verify DOT inspection history and annual inspection sticker currency
- Test all lighting, reflectors, and conspicuity markings per FMCSA requirements
- Confirm fifth-wheel locking jaw operation and proper grease level
- Verify tractor-trailer ABS warning light cycles correctly
- Test air-pressure build-up time meets FMCSA spec (governor cuts in by 60 PSI in 90 seconds)
- Confirm landing-gear crank operates and pin/clevis are intact
Semi Truck insurance and depreciation in Texas
Commercial truck insurance ranges $5,000–$15,000/year for owner-operators. Authority holders need $750K–$1M liability minimum. Diesel trucks depreciate based on mileage — expect 40–50% loss after 500,000 miles. Glider kits and pre-emission models command premiums. Peak season for private semi truck sales is january–march as trucking companies refresh fleets before peak shipping season, with an average of 35 days on market.
Semi Truck registration and titling
Semi Trucks are classified as "Commercial motor vehicle (CMV) — requires CDL to operate; IRP/IFTA registration for interstate operation" for registration purposes. Class 7 (26,001–33,000 lbs GVWR) and Class 8 (33,001+ lbs GVWR). Over 16,000 lbs GVWR exempts from federal odometer disclosure. Federal odometer disclosure does not apply to semi trucks.
Safety tips for family transfer semi truck transactions
When completing a family transfer semi truck sale in Texas, always verify the vehicle against NHTSA recall databases. The most common semi truck recall categories are Brakes, Engine/Emissions, Electrical. Check recalls at NHTSA.gov/recalls before signing the bill of sale.
Checklist for family transfer semi truck sale in Texas
- Confirm qualifying family relationship under your state's DMV rules
- Obtain the required family transfer exemption form or affidavit
- Document fair market value on the bill of sale (for tax records)
- Bring relationship proof (marriage certificate, birth certificate) to the DMV
- Determine if IRS Form 709 is required if value exceeds the annual gift exclusion
- Confirm the relationship qualifies before using Form 14-317 — aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins are ineligible and trigger standard sales tax at the greater of the sales price or 80% of SPV
- Determine community property vs. separate property status for spousal transfers — community property vehicles transfer nontaxably outside the gift tax path; only separate-property transfers use the $10 gift tax and Form 14-317
- Do not allow the recipient to assume any outstanding lien if you intend a gift transfer — loan assumption converts the transaction to a taxable sale at the greater of total consideration or 80% of SPV
- If the vehicle passes from a decedent's estate (will, intestate succession, or Rights of Survivorship Agreement) and the transfer occurs on or after September 1, 2025, no motor vehicle tax or gift tax is due under Tax Code § 152.094 (SB 2064)
Need the printable workflow?
Use the main Texas semi truck bill of sale flow when you are ready to generate the completed document.
Open Texas Semi Truck 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 semi truck sale situations
Frequently asked questions
Why does the family transfer 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 family transfer 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 family transfer transaction.
What are the Texas fees for a family transfer semi truck 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 semi truck makes are most commonly sold in Texas?
The most popular semi truck makes in private-party sales are Freightliner, Kenworth, Peterbilt, Volvo, International. Average private-party prices range from $20,000–$180,000.
Do I pay sales tax on a family transfer semi truck 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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