BillOfSaleNow

City release page

Tampa, Florida Bus Bill of Sale

Use this bill of sale when selling a bus in Tampa, Florida. It documents the transfer and helps you complete DMV title paperwork.

Tampa, FloridaBusPopulation rank #45

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 — Hillsborough County

DMV / Title Office

Hillsborough County Tax Collector – Main Office

Address

601 E Kennedy Blvd, Tampa, FL 33602

Phone

(813) 635-5200

Office Hours

Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–5:00 PM

Transfer Fees & Taxes

Title Transfer Fee

$75.25

Sales Tax Rate

7.50%

Base Registration Fee

$27.60

Florida state rate 6% + Hillsborough County surtax 1.5%

Notarization: NOT REQUIRED

Florida does not require notarization for private vehicle sales.

Tampa Transfer Checklist

  • Complete HSMV 82040 at the Hillsborough County Tax Collector
  • Florida 6% + Hillsborough 1.5% surtax collected at title transfer
  • Title must be transferred within 30 days
  • Odometer disclosure required for vehicles under 10 years old

County Information — Hillsborough County

County Clerk / Recorder

Hillsborough County Clerk of Courts

Phone

(813) 276-8100

Website

https://www.hillsclerk.com

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 Florida, 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 Florida

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 Tampa, Florida

Tampa residents completing a bus bill of sale should be aware of local requirements in addition to Florida state rules. The state sales tax rate is 6%, 6% state plus county discretionary surtax (0.5–1.5%). The most popular bus makes in Florida include Blue Bird, Thomas Built, IC Bus.

Florida bill of sale statistics

BillOfSaleNow has generated 8,923 bill of sale documents for Florida transactions, with 241 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 county is Tampa in, and which office handles title transfers?

Tampa is in Hillsborough County. Title transfers are handled by the Hillsborough County Tax Collector – Main Office at 601 E Kennedy Blvd, Tampa, FL 33602. Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–5:00 PM. Phone: (813) 635-5200.

What is the sales tax rate on a bus sale in Tampa?

The combined rate is 7.50%. Florida state rate 6% + Hillsborough County surtax 1.5%.

Is notarization required for a bus bill of sale in Tampa?

No. Florida does not require notarization for private vehicle sales.

What fees should I expect when transferring a bus title in Tampa?

Title transfer fee: $75.25. Base registration fee: $27.60. Sales tax at 7.50% is collected at the time of title transfer.