When purchasing or selling a vehicle in the state of Missouri, you will need a bill of sale (Form 1957). It has details about the car itself, as well as details regarding the sale. This form is filled out by the seller and the buyer will need it when registering the car in their name. In some circumstances, it will need to be notarized.
It also acts as legal proof of the sale, which can be helpful if there are any disputes regarding the vehicle. For example, if the buyer gets a ticket after buying the vehicle, the seller can prove that they were not in the ownership of the vehicle at that time.
Downloadable Forms
Other Requirements for Registering a Vehicle
If the vehicle being sold is under ten years of age or it’s weight is under 16,000 pounds, the seller is required to complete Form 1545 (Odometer Disclosure Statement).
This bill of sale is required for registration purposes and should be sent in by the seller of the vehicle to the Department of Revenue. Sellers must also complete and send in Form 5049 (Notice of Sale).
Creating a Missouri Car Bill of Sale
The Missouri Department of Revenue provides a downloadable bill of the sale document for a vehicle (Form 1957). You may also create your own document as long as you include the following key details:
- Both the seller’s and the buyer’s legal names
- The date that you created the document
- Details about the vehicle: make, model, year, VIN, body type, and any damages
- How much the vehicle was sold for
- Contact details of both the seller and the buyer
- Signatures of both the seller and the buyer
The form must be written in plain English without the use of legal terms and jargon.
Registering a Vehicle in Missouri
Buyers have 30 days from the state when they bought the vehicle to register it with the Department of Revenue. Registration is required to be renewed either every year or every two years. Renewals can be done online using the Department of Revenue’s website, by mail, or face to face at your local Missouri licensing office. Your Vehicle Registration form will give the details needed to mail the documents in. Alternatively, you may be able to register your vehicle over the phone on (573) 751-1957.
By law, in the state of Missouri, you must register your vehicle before you are allowed to drive it on the road. If your vehicle was registered outside of the state of Missouri, you will need to complete a Missouri Vehicle Registration Form. The first time registering a newly purchased vehicle requires you to register in person. Vehicles that have been gifted to you will be required to be registered within 30 days of you taking possession of the vehicle. If you are a new resident of Missouri, you will have 30 days in which to register the vehicle.
Required documents
When registering your vehicle, you will need to provide the following:
- A completed Bill of Sale for Missouri (Form 1957)
- A current and valid Missouri drivers license
- A completed Odometer Disclosure Statement (Form 1545)
- A completed Certificate of Title. If the title is not available, you may request a duplicate from Missouri’s Department of Revenue
- A completed Title and License document (Form 108)
- If you are registering the vehicle for another person, you will need to complete Form 4054 (Vehicle Power of Attorney)
- Funds to cover the appropriate Registration Fees
- Proof of insurance with a recognized Missouri vehicle insurance provider. Your insurance must have the following minimum requirements:
- Coverage of $25,000 for bodily injury (per individual)
- Coverage of $25,000 for property damage (per accident)
- Coverage of $50,000 for bodily injury (per accident)
Required fees
When registering a vehicle, the buyer will need to cover the title and registration fees, as well as tax. The fee for titling is $8.50, registration is $6.00, and the current sales tax is set at 4.225% of the purchase amount. You may also be charged a local sales tax depending on where you live.
Safety inspections
Unless you are exempt, you will need to have a vehicle safety inspection done. This needs to be carried out by a licensed inspector or at an authorized inspection station.
Emissions testing
If you live in the following areas, you will need to have an emissions test:
- Saint Charles
- Franklin Saint Louis
- Jefferson county
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