City release page

Bismarck, North Dakota Bus Bill of Sale

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

Bismarck, North DakotaBusPopulation rank #477

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 — Burleigh County

DMV / Title Office

ND DOT – Bismarck Driver License Office

Address

608 E Boulevard Ave, Bismarck, ND 58505

Phone

(701) 328-2725

Office Hours

Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–5:00 PM

Transfer Fees & Taxes

Title Transfer Fee

$5.00

Sales Tax Rate

5.50%

Base Registration Fee

$49.00

ND state 5% excise tax on vehicles + Bismarck city 0.5%

Notarization: NOT REQUIRED

North Dakota does not require notarization.

Bismarck Transfer Checklist

Title transfer at Burleigh County Recorder within 30 days
5% excise tax on vehicle purchases
Seller must sign title
Odometer disclosure required

County Information — Burleigh County

County Clerk / Recorder

Burleigh County Recorder

Phone

(701) 222-6690

Website

https://www.burleighco.com/recorder

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 North Dakota, 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 North Dakota

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 Bismarck, North Dakota

Bismarck residents completing a bus bill of sale should be aware of local requirements in addition to North Dakota state rules. The state sales tax rate is 5%, 5% motor vehicle excise tax statewide. The most popular bus makes in North Dakota include Blue Bird, Thomas Built, IC Bus.

North Dakota bill of sale statistics

BillOfSaleNow has generated 194 bill of sale documents for North Dakota transactions, with 5 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 Bismarck in, and which office handles title transfers?

Bismarck is in Burleigh County. Title transfers are handled by the ND DOT – Bismarck Driver License Office at 608 E Boulevard Ave, Bismarck, ND 58505. Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–5:00 PM. Phone: (701) 328-2725.

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

The combined rate is 5.50%. ND state 5% excise tax on vehicles + Bismarck city 0.5%.

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

No. North Dakota does not require notarization.

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

Title transfer fee: $5.00. Base registration fee: $49.00. Sales tax at 5.50% is collected at the time of title transfer.