Free Washington DC Trailer Bill of Sale Template

A Washington DC trailer bill of sale records a private trailer sale. The District has no numbered form of its own, so the document you draw up is the record of the transaction.

Not in the District. Excise tax rates are applied to the fair market value of the vehicle at the time of application, as defined by the current dealers’ guide for the Eastern Region.

That means writing a low figure changes nothing about what you owe. The department publishes an online estimator so you can work out the tax before you commit.

The department does warn buyers about the other direction. Establish whether the seller’s asking price already includes the excise tax, because where you title and register the trailer yourself, you pay that tax and it should not be in the sale price.

Two District quirks catch people out at the counter.

Everyone goes on the document

Where there are multiple owners, all of them must be listed on the certificate of origin or title, on the bill of sale, and on any lien or lease paperwork.

Old debts block the transaction

All outstanding debts owed to the District government must be satisfied before a vehicle can be titled and registered, including tickets, child support and dishonoured cheques.

The origin document must be properly executed

A certificate of origin or title has to be correctly completed and signed before the department will process it.

Identification for every owner

A copy of the owner’s District driving licence or non-driver identification card goes in with the application.

Inspections can carry across

Where a valid District inspection exists at the time of registration, it transfers to the new owner at no charge.

A private sale can start online

The department offers District residents who have bought through a private sale the option of titling and registering by a combined internet and postal transaction.

Bringing one in from elsewhere

Where you already own the trailer and are transferring it from another jurisdiction, no excise tax falls due at all.

Exemptions exist

Many vehicles are exempt from the District’s excise tax, and the department publishes a list of the categories that qualify.

Settle the tax question before you settle the price.

1. Use the online estimator to work out the excise tax on book value.
2. Agree a price that excludes that tax, and record it on the bill of sale.
3. List every owner on the title, the bill of sale and any lien paperwork.
4. Clear any outstanding District debts before you apply.
5. Complete the title and tag application and submit it in person or through the online private sale route.

Rates and fees are set by the District and change from time to time, so confirm current figures before you apply.

Record the year, make and model, the identification number, the sale price, the date, and the full names, addresses and signatures of everyone on either side.

Keep every record from the purchase. The department advises buyers to hold on to all of them for future reference, and there is no state form standing behind you if you do not.

Name every owner in full. The District requires each of them to appear on this document as well as on the title and any finance paperwork.

Both parties keep a copy.