What Is a Semi-Truck Bill of Sale?
A semi-truck bill of sale is a commercial-grade transfer document that records the private sale of a Class 8 tractor — the over-the-road rigs most people simply call 'semis.' Unlike a passenger car or pickup, a semi-truck is a working capital asset regulated by the FMCSA, the IRS, state DMVs, the EPA, and often the USDOT. The bill of sale is the legal anchor that ties all of these regulatory touch points together for both the buyer and the seller.
Semi-truck transactions are high-value — a three-year-old Freightliner Cascadia or Peterbilt 579 with a Detroit DD15 or Cummins X15 and a 13-speed manual routinely sells for $80,000 to $145,000, while a new electric Cascadia can clear $400,000. Glider kits, classic Peterbilt 389s, and specialty heavy-haul rigs all carry unique titling and emissions considerations. A proper bill of sale must capture the VIN, powertrain, DOT inspection status, ELD, 2290 filing, and whether the truck is sold 'with authority' or 'chassis only.'
The seller's side of the transaction is equally complex. After the sale, the seller must cancel IRP apportioned registration, remove the USDOT number from the cab doors, file a prorated IRS Form 2290 refund claim if applicable, and notify the insurer to cancel physical damage coverage. Every one of these actions can be documented on or referenced by the bill of sale, which is why having a thorough commercial-grade form matters.
Whether you are an owner-operator upgrading to a newer Cascadia, a fleet reducing capacity at year end, a carrier wind-down selling off its last five tractors, or a dealer moving a trade-in to a private buyer, our semi-truck bill of sale template gives you the commercial vehicle fields professional lenders, insurers, and DMVs expect to see.
Full Powertrain Spec
Engine, transmission, rear-end ratio, axle config
DOT Inspection
Last 396.17 annual inspection date and facility
IRS Form 2290
Heavy Highway Use Tax status and prorated refund
How to Write a Semi-Truck Bill of Sale
Identify the Parties
Full legal names (individual or entity), mailing addresses, federal EIN if a business, USDOT and MC numbers if either party is a licensed motor carrier.
Record Truck Identification
Year, make (Freightliner, Kenworth, Peterbilt, Volvo, Mack, International, Western Star), model (Cascadia, T680, 579, VNL, Anthem, LT), cab configuration (day cab, 48"/60"/72"/82" sleeper), color, and 17-character VIN.
Document Powertrain Specs
Engine (DD15, X15, MX-13, D13, etc.), horsepower, engine serial from ECM tag, transmission make/speeds, rear-end ratio, axle config, fifth-wheel type, and odometer reading.
Note DOT / FMCSA Status
Last annual DOT inspection date, inspection facility, ELD manufacturer and serial, sleeper HVAC and APU info, and whether the truck has been deleted or tampered with (full EPA disclosure).
Reference Form 2290 and Authority
Date seller last paid Form 2290, whether prorated refund will be claimed, and whether the truck is sold 'with authority' (business sale) or 'chassis only' (buyer obtains new MC/USDOT).
State Price, Warranty, and Sign
Full price in numerals and words, down payment, payment method, as-is clause, and itemized disclosures of known defects (DPF, DEF, injectors, turbo, clutch, air leaks). Both parties sign — notarization strongly recommended.
Key Components
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Buyer & Seller | Names, addresses, EIN, USDOT/MC numbers |
| Year / Make / Model | 2021 Freightliner Cascadia 126, 72" Raised Roof |
| VIN | 17-character federal VIN from door jamb and frame |
| Engine | Detroit DD15, Cummins X15, PACCAR MX-13, Volvo D13 |
| HP / Torque | 455 HP / 1650 ft-lb |
| Transmission | Eaton Fuller 13-spd, Detroit DT12, Volvo I-Shift |
| Rear-End Ratio | 2.47 / 2.64 / 2.79 / 3.08 |
| Odometer | Miles at time of sale |
| ELD Device | Manufacturer, serial, transfer status |
| DOT Inspection | Last annual 396.17 inspection date |
| EPA Status | DPF/DEF/SCR functional, no delete disclosure |
| Form 2290 | Last paid date and refund election |
| Authority | With authority / chassis only |
| Sale Price | Total and payment terms |
| Signatures / Notary | Both parties, notarization recommended |
Semi-Truck Types & Brands
Day Cab
Non-sleeper tractors used for local and regional runs. Freightliner M2, Kenworth T680 Day Cab, Peterbilt 579, Volvo VNR, International LT Day.
Sleeper Tractor
Long-haul tractors with sleeper berths — 48", 60", 72", 78", or 82" cabs. Freightliner Cascadia, Kenworth T680, Peterbilt 579, Volvo VNL, Mack Anthem.
Glider Kit
New truck chassis assembled with a remanufactured pre-emission powertrain — popular with owner-operators until EPA 2021 restrictions; inspection and titling rules vary by state.
Vocational Truck
Dump trucks, concrete mixers, roll-offs, cement pumpers, logging trucks, and refuse vehicles. Mack Granite, Kenworth T880, Peterbilt 567, Western Star 4700.
Yard Tractor / Terminal Truck
Spotter trucks used at warehouses and terminals — Kalmar Ottawa, Capacity TJ, Autocar Xspotter. Not road-registered; transfer is bill-of-sale only.
Heavy Haul / Tri-Axle
Heavy-spec tractors for oversize/overweight loads — Peterbilt 389, Western Star 4900, Kenworth W990, International HX.
Classic / Vintage Semi
Pre-2000 Kenworth K100, Peterbilt 359, Freightliner Classic, and Mack Superliner rigs. Often carry collector value and may lack electronic records.
Alternative Fuel / Electric
Freightliner eCascadia, Kenworth T680E, Tesla Semi, Volvo VNR Electric. Documentation includes battery capacity, charging specs, and warranty status.
Day Cab vs. Sleeper vs. Glider
| Factor | Day Cab | Sleeper | Glider Kit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical Use | Local / drayage | OTR long-haul | Owner-op specialty |
| Cab Length | None (no berth) | 48"–82" raised roof | Varies |
| Typical Price | $45,000 – $95,000 | $80,000 – $165,000 | $110,000 – $195,000 |
| Engine Emissions | EPA 2010+ | EPA 2010+ | Pre-emission (reman) |
| Resale Market | Regional fleets | Nationwide | Narrow — EPA scrutiny |
| Odometer Range | 300k–700k common | 500k–1M+ common | Chassis miles low; powertrain varies |
| APU Equipped | Rare | Common (idle reduction) | Varies |
DOT, MC & FMCSA Compliance
Semi-trucks operate under a stack of federal and state commercial vehicle regulations. The bill of sale should acknowledge and reference each one so the buyer can take over operations without running afoul of enforcement.
- USDOT Number: FMCSA-issued identifier for interstate motor carriers. Does not transfer — buyer needs their own.
- MC Authority: Motor Carrier operating authority for for-hire freight. Does not transfer.
- Annual DOT Inspection (49 CFR 396.17): Required yearly; sticker must be displayed.
- ELD Mandate (49 CFR 395): Electronic Logging Device required for HOS-covered drivers.
- IRP Registration: International Registration Plan apportioned plates — does not transfer.
- IRS Form 2290: Heavy Highway Vehicle Use Tax — buyer must file before operation.
- EPA Emissions (42 U.S.C. § 7522): DPF/DEF/SCR delete is a federal violation; disclose original status.
Form Preview
Section 1: Parties and USDOT/MC identifiers
Section 2: Truck description and VIN
Section 3: Powertrain: engine, transmission, rear-end
Section 4: Odometer and hour meter (if equipped)
Section 5: DOT inspection, ELD, and EPA status
Section 6: Form 2290 and authority transfer
Section 7: Price, payment, and lien payoff
Section 8: As-is clause, disclosures, signatures, notary
Sample Semi-Truck Bill of Sale
SEMI-TRUCK BILL OF SALE
Commercial Motor Vehicle Transfer
Dated [Date]
SELLER:
Name: [Seller]
USDOT #: [# ]
BUYER:
Name: [Buyer]
USDOT #: [# ]
1. TRUCK
Year: [YYYY] Make: [Make] Model: [Model]
Cab: ☐ Day cab ☐ Sleeper [size]
VIN: [17-char VIN]
2. POWERTRAIN
Engine: [DD15/X15/MX-13] @ [HP] HP
Transmission: [Eaton 13-spd]
Ratio: [2.64] Odometer: [Miles]
3. DOT / FMCSA
Last DOT Inspection: [Date]
ELD: [Make / Serial]
4. PRICE
$[Amount]
Official Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Create your Semi Truck Bill of Sale in under 10 minutes.
Answer a few questions and download a compliant, attorney-drafted document ready for your state.