What county is Tempe in, and which office handles title transfers?
Tempe is in Maricopa County. Title transfers are handled by the AZ MVD – Tempe Office at 1840 E Apache Blvd, Tempe, AZ 85281. Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–5:00 PM. Phone: (602) 255-0072.
City release page
Tempe, Arizona Bus Bill of Sale
Use this bill of sale when selling a bus in Tempe, Arizona. It documents the transfer and helps you complete DMV title paperwork.
Tempe, ArizonaBusPopulation rank #132
What to include
- Buyer and seller names and addresses
- Bus VIN and vehicle details
- Sale price and date
- Signatures from both parties
Next step
Create a compliant bill of sale and download the signed PDF immediately.
Local Requirements — Maricopa County
DMV / Title Office
AZ MVD – Tempe Office
Address
1840 E Apache Blvd, Tempe, AZ 85281
Phone
(602) 255-0072
Office Hours
Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–5:00 PM
Transfer Fees & Taxes
Title Transfer Fee
$4.00
Sales Tax Rate
8.10%
Base Registration Fee
$8.00
Arizona state rate 5.6% + Maricopa County 0.7% + Tempe city rate 1.8%
Notarization: NOT REQUIRED
Arizona does not require notarization for private vehicle sales.
Tempe Transfer Checklist
- Complete AZ MVD title application within 15 days
- Vehicle emissions testing required in Maricopa County
- Use tax paid at time of title transfer
- Seller must sign the title certificate assignment
County Information — Maricopa County
County Clerk / Recorder
Maricopa County Clerk of the Superior Court
Phone
(602) 372-5375
Bus market data and safety information
The most common bus makes in private-party sales are Blue Bird, Thomas Built, IC Bus, Freightliner, Ford (shuttle). Average private-party bus prices range from $5,000–$100,000. Buss average 3.2 NHTSA recalls per model across categories including Brakes, Engine, Electrical.
Safety checkpoints for buying a used bus
Before completing a bus bill of sale in Arizona, verify these safety items:
- Verify DOT inspection history — buses have stricter inspection requirements than passenger vehicles
- Check emergency exit operation for all doors, windows, and roof hatches
- Inspect brake system including air brake components and ABS function
- Test all lighting, stop arms (school bus), and warning systems
Bus insurance and depreciation in Arizona
Bus insurance varies widely — $3,000–$15,000/year depending on use (shuttle, school, tour). Passenger capacity drives premiums. Retired school buses are cheap ($3,000–$10,000) and popular for conversion projects ("skoolies"). Coach buses retain value better. Peak season for private bus sales is summer when school districts auction retired buses, with an average of 45 days on market.
Bus registration and titling
Buss are classified as "Bus or Commercial motor vehicle — CDL required for 16+ passenger capacity" for registration purposes. School buses typically 14,500–36,000 lbs GVWR. Transit and coach buses can exceed 40,000 lbs. Federal odometer disclosure does not apply to buss.
Bus sales in Tempe, Arizona
Tempe residents completing a bus bill of sale should be aware of local requirements in addition to Arizona state rules. The state sales tax rate is 5.6%, dealer sales: 5.6% + county. private sales: flat $20 vlt instead. The most popular bus makes in Arizona include Blue Bird, Thomas Built, IC Bus.
Arizona bill of sale statistics
BillOfSaleNow has generated 2,871 bill of sale documents for Arizona transactions, with 77 generated this month alone. The most popular vehicle type is car.
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
What is the sales tax rate on a bus sale in Tempe?
The combined rate is 8.10%. Arizona state rate 5.6% + Maricopa County 0.7% + Tempe city rate 1.8%.
Is notarization required for a bus bill of sale in Tempe?
No. Arizona does not require notarization for private vehicle sales.
What fees should I expect when transferring a bus title in Tempe?
Title transfer fee: $4.00. Base registration fee: $8.00. Sales tax at 8.10% is collected at the time of title transfer.