Financed vehicle — Georgia

Georgia Side by Side bill of sale for financed vehicle

Complete your Georgia side by side bill of sale for a financed vehicle transaction. Enter buyer and seller details, vehicle information, and generate a signed PDF in minutes.

GeorgiaSide by SideFinanced vehicle

BillOfSaleNow Legal Team

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

What to know about financed vehicle sales in Georgia

If you are selling as a private party offering financing (seller financing), the transaction is governed by the Truth in Lending Act (TILA), Regulation Z (12 CFR Part 1026). You must provide the buyer a written disclosure of APR, finance charge, amount financed, total payments, and payment schedule. Failure to comply can expose you to civil liability.

What to include in your bill of sale

Full legal names and addresses for both buyer and seller.
Side by Side make, model, year, VIN, and current mileage.
Agreed sale price, payment method, and transaction date.
Any financed vehicle-specific disclosures required in Georgia.

Seller guidance

Buyer guidance

When financing through a bank or credit union, your lender will place a lien on the title. You will not receive a clear title until the loan is paid off. Under TILA, you have the right to a written disclosure of all loan terms before signing. Review the APR and total cost of financing carefully.

Georgia-Specific Note

GA lienholders must release the lien within 30 days of payoff per OCGA § 40-3-56. The lienholder sends a release directly to the county tag office or provides a physical release document. The buyer should verify the title is lien-free at the county tag office before completing the purchase.

Legal considerations

Georgia Side by Side transfer fees and requirements

In Georgia, the title transfer fee is $18 and registration costs $20 per year. Side by Side sales are subject to Title Ad Valorem Tax (TAVT) of 6.6% of fair market value. Georgia does not require notarization for private-party side by side transfers. Emission testing is required in Georgia — verify the side by side passes before completing the sale.

TAVT replaced sales tax and annual ad valorem tax in 2013
Emissions testing required in 13 metro Atlanta counties
Title must be transferred within 30 days of purchase

Georgia sales tax on side by side purchases

Georgia has a 6.6% state sales tax rate. 6.6% TAVT (Title Ad Valorem Tax) on fair market value. Private-party side by side sales in Georgia are subject to sales tax. TAVT applies to all vehicle sales — replaces sales tax since 2013. The title transfer fee is $18.

Side by Side market data and safety information

The most common side by side makes in private-party sales are Polaris, Can-Am, Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki. Average private-party side by side prices range from $5,000–$30,000. Side by sides average 2.6 NHTSA recalls per model across categories including Steering, Fuel System, Fire Hazard.

Safety checkpoints for buying a used side by side

Before completing a side by side bill of sale in Georgia, verify these safety items:

Verify ROPS (cage) is intact and meets manufacturer specifications
Check all seat belts and door/net latching mechanisms
Inspect CV axles and boots — the highest-wear item on side-by-sides
Test power steering operation and differential lock engagement
Confirm headlights, taillights, brake lights, and (where required) turn signals function
Verify horn and reverse-warning beeper operation
Check that windshield (if equipped) is rated and unmodified
Inspect parking brake operation on a 15-degree slope

Side by Side insurance and depreciation in Georgia

Insurance averages $200–$600/year. Multi-passenger models cost more. Required for on-road use. Side-by-sides depreciate 30–40% in 3 years. Sport models (RZR, Maverick) depreciate faster than utility models (Ranger). Peak season for private side by side sales is spring for recreation, fall for hunting season, with an average of 25 days on market.

Side by Side registration and titling

Side by Sides are classified as "Off-highway vehicle (OHV) — some states allow street-legal conversion" for registration purposes. Side-by-sides range from 1,000–2,000 lbs. Multi-seat crew models weigh more. Federal odometer disclosure does not apply to side by sides.

Safety tips for financed vehicle side by side transactions

When completing a financed vehicle side by side sale in Georgia, always verify the vehicle against NHTSA recall databases. The most common side by side recall categories are Steering, Fuel System, Fire Hazard. Check recalls at NHTSA.gov/recalls before signing the bill of sale.

Checklist for financed vehicle side by side sale in Georgia

Obtain pre-approval letter or lender commitment before finalizing sale price
Confirm lender's payoff instructions if seller has an existing lien
Record the new lienholder on the title at the DMV
Review TILA disclosure for APR, finance charge, and payment schedule
Retain a copy of the signed bill of sale and loan documents
Obtain written payoff amount from lienholder
Coordinate payoff and lien release at county tag office
Lienholder releases within 30 days per OCGA § 40-3-56
Buyer verifies lien-free status before title transfer

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Why Documentation Helps Protect Asking Price

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)

Frequently asked questions

When should I use the financed vehicle page?

Use this page when your side by side sale in Georgia fits a financed vehicle scenario. It walks you through the specific disclosures and details that apply to this type of transaction.

Why does the financed vehicle 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 financed vehicle 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 financed vehicle transaction.

What are the Georgia fees for a financed vehicle side by side transfer?

Georgia charges a $18 title transfer fee. Registration costs $20 per year. Sales tax: Title Ad Valorem Tax (TAVT) of 6.6% of fair market value. Notarization is not required for most transfers.

What side by side makes are most commonly sold in Georgia?

The most popular side by side makes in private-party sales are Polaris, Can-Am, Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki. Average private-party prices range from $5,000–$30,000.

Do I pay sales tax on a financed vehicle side by side sale in Georgia?

Georgia has a 6.6% state sales tax rate. TAVT applies to all vehicle sales — replaces sales tax since 2013

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