By Mohamed SkhiriUpdated November 8, 2026Facts checked against TxDMV and California DMV
Off-road machines change hands in pickup beds and farm driveways, usually for cash, and often with nothing in writing. Then the buyer tries to get an off-highway sticker or a title and discovers the state wants proof of ownership. A bill of sale is that proof. It takes a few minutes, and it saves the buyer a lot of trouble later.
The template above is built for vehicles that don't fit a car form. There's no odometer statement, because these machines aren't built for public roads. There's a field for the hour meter, which matters more than miles on most of them. And there's a spot for the off-highway decal, sticker or plate number that many states use instead of normal registration.
ATV bill of sale template: filling it in
- Where and when. Choose the state, add the county, and check the date.
- Who. The seller's and buyer's full names and addresses. Add a joint owner if two people are selling or buying.
- What. Pick the type (ATV, UTV, golf cart, snowmobile and so on), then year, make, model, engine, meter reading and color.
- Which one. Copy the VIN or serial number exactly, plus any decal, plate or title number.
- For how much. Price and payment, or tick the gift box. List accessories such as a winch or plow.
- Get it on paper. Print it, save it as a PDF, or download the Word file. Make two copies and sign both.
Are ATVs titled? It depends on the state
There's no national rule. Some states title ATVs and UTVs; others just register them for trail use; a few do neither. That's why an ATV bill of sale form matters: where there's no title, it's the main record of who owns the machine.
Two large states show how different the approaches are:
How two states treat off-highway vehicles
| State | What the agency says |
|---|
| Texas | TxDMV is required to title off-highway vehicles (ATVs, ROVs, UTVs and sand rails), but they are not eligible for registration. They can get an Off-Highway Vehicle license plate from the county tax assessor-collector's office. |
|---|
| California | Off-highway vehicles such as ATVs, trail bikes, dune buggies and snowmobiles don't need regular registration but must display a DMV-issued ID plate or placard. Bills of sale are among the documents used to show a complete chain of ownership. On a transfer, the fee must be paid within 30 days to avoid a penalty, and no smog certification is needed. |
|---|
So in Texas, a used ATV should come with a signed title, and the bill of sale for ATV sales backs it up. In California, the buyer needs the title (or the replacement form if it's lost) plus the bills of sale that connect them to the last registered owner. In states with no title at all, the bill of sale may be the only ownership paper there is. Check your state's off-highway or natural resources page before you buy.
No odometer statement needed
The federal odometer disclosure rules apply to motor vehicles made mainly for use on public streets and highways. ATVs, UTVs, golf carts, snowmobiles and sand rails are built for other places, so the document doesn't include the federal mileage statement. Many machines have an hour meter instead of, or as well as, an odometer. Put whatever reading it shows in the meter field; for a buyer, 200 hours tells a clearer story than a mileage figure would.
California's DMV adds a related detail for off-highway vehicles: odometer disclosure isn't required for vehicles originally made for off-highway use without an odometer, even when they're later converted for road use.
UTV bill of sale and side-by-sides
Side-by-sides (UTVs, or "recreational off-highway vehicles" in some state rules) cost much more than quads and often carry expensive add-ons: doors, roofs, windshields, winches, light bars. A UTV bill of sale should list those accessories, because they can easily account for thousands of dollars of the price. Choose "UTV / side-by-side," then use the accessories field.
Texas groups UTVs and ROVs with ATVs: titled, not registered, eligible for an off-highway plate. If you're writing a UTV bill of sale template for a sale in another state, look up whether your state treats them the same way.
Golf cart bill of sale
Golf carts sell constantly in retirement communities, beach towns and on farms. A golf cart bill of sale records the deal for a vehicle that often has no title at all. Texas spells out the typical position: TxDMV does not title or register golf carts, but they can get a golf cart license plate from the county tax office, which asks for its standard application form (Form 130-U).
That plate doesn't make a golf cart road-legal everywhere. In Texas, a plated golf cart can be driven only in specific situations, such as in certain master-planned communities, on beaches open to vehicles, on highways with a posted limit of 35 mph or less (daytime, near where it's usually parked, for trips to and from a golf course), and to cross intersections.
Golf cart or neighborhood electric vehicle?
Some carts are really neighborhood electric vehicles (NEVs). In Texas, an NEV has a top speed of 35 mph, seat belts, lights, turn signals, mirrors, a windshield, a parking brake, reflectors and a valid 17-digit VIN, and it's titled and registered with proof of insurance. If you're selling an NEV, choose that type so the buyer knows it should come with a title. For a bill of sale for golf cart sales without a VIN, write the manufacturer's serial number from the frame plate.
Snowmobile bill of sale
Snowmobiles are registered by most snowbelt states, often through the natural resources department rather than the motor vehicle office. A snowmobile bill of sale should show the registration or decal number along with the serial number, which is usually on the tunnel near the right footrest. Track length and engine size help describe the sled too; add them in the model or engine fields.
Selling a sled with its trailer? Make a separate trailer bill of sale for the trailer, which is a road vehicle with its own plate and rules.
Bill of sale for a 4 wheeler or quad
"4 wheeler" and "quad" are what most people call an ATV, and a 4 wheeler bill of sale is the same document. Choose "ATV (quad / 4 wheeler)" as the type. For youth ATVs, pick "Youth ATV" so the engine size and intended rider are clear; if the seller is a parent, they sign as the owner. A bill of sale for quad sales still needs the VIN or serial, the price and both signatures.
ATV bill of sale example
ExampleOn September 20, 2026, in Smith County, Texas, Ray Dunham sold to Kelsey Moore a 2021 ATV (quad), 570 cc, green, 212 hours, VIN as shown on the Texas title, off-highway plate as issued, for $6,200 paid in cash. Accessories included: front winch and rear cargo box. Sold as-is. The Buyer is responsible for any title, registration, decal or plate required to operate it.
That last sentence is built into every document this tool makes. It reminds both sides that getting the machine legal to ride, such as a new title, an off-highway plate or a trail sticker, is the buyer's job after the sale.
The finished document prints on one page: a clean printable ATV bill of sale with no website clutter. You can also save it as an ATV bill of sale PDF from the print window, download an editable Word file, or print an empty copy to fill in at the meeting. Golf cart bill of sale template, snowmobile bill of sale template, UTV or quad: it's the same free tool, just a different type.
Picking it up and getting it home
Most off-road machines can't legally be ridden home on public roads, so plan the pickup. A quad fits in a full-size pickup bed with ramps rated for its weight; a side-by-side or golf cart usually needs a utility trailer. Strap it down at all four corners, through the frame rather than the plastic, and check the straps after the first few miles.
Bring the paperwork with you on the trip home. If you're stopped with a machine in the truck bed, the signed papers show it's yours, which matters with something that has no plate.
Batteries are the other common surprise. Machines that sat for months often need a charge or a new battery before they'll start. Ask the seller when it last ran, and if possible watch it start cold before you pay.
Paying safely
Private sales of powersports equipment attract the same scams as car sales. Cash is simple for smaller amounts; count it together. For larger amounts, a bank transfer that shows as available, or a cashier's check you've confirmed with the issuing bank, is safer than a personal check. Meet in daylight, bring a friend, and don't let a stranger take the machine for a "test ride" out of sight.
What a buyer should check
- The frame number. It should match the title or registration and the bill of sale. Ground-off or re-stamped numbers are a warning sign.
- Proof of ownership. A title where the state issues them; otherwise the seller's registration, decal paperwork or their own bill of sale from when they bought it.
- Liens. Powersports loans are common. Ask whether any money is owed.
- Condition. Check the CV boots, wheel bearings, belt (on CVT machines), brakes and the hour meter. On golf carts, ask the age of the batteries.
- Where you'll ride. Make sure you can get the plate, decal or sticker you need for the trails or roads you plan to use.
ATV bill of sale FAQ
Do ATVs have titles?
In many states, yes. Texas, for example, is required to title off-highway vehicles such as ATVs, UTVs and sand rails, even though they can't be registered for road use. Other states only register them or issue an off-highway sticker.
Does an ATV bill of sale need an odometer statement?
No. Federal odometer disclosure rules apply to motor vehicles made mainly for public roads, and ATVs, UTVs, golf carts and snowmobiles are built for off-road use. Many record hours instead of miles anyway.
Is a golf cart titled?
Usually not. Texas, for instance, does not title or register golf carts but offers a golf cart license plate through the county tax office. A neighborhood electric vehicle, which meets extra equipment rules and has a 17-digit VIN, is titled and registered like a car. For a machine that does have a title, our title transfer checklist lists what each state asks for, and the VIN decoder confirms the year and maker of anything with a 17-character VIN.
What number do I put for a snowmobile or golf cart with no VIN?
Use the manufacturer's serial number from the frame or tunnel plate, exactly as printed. If the state has issued a registration or decal number, record that as well.
Sources
This page explains common rules and is not legal advice. Off-highway vehicle rules differ by state and change over time; your state's agency has the final word.