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Columbus, Ohio Bus Bill of Sale

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

Columbus, OhioBusPopulation rank #15

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 — Franklin County

DMV / Title Office

Franklin County BMV Title Office

Address

373 S High St, Columbus, OH 43215

Phone

(614) 525-3090

Office Hours

Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–4:30 PM

Transfer Fees & Taxes

Title Transfer Fee

$15.00

Sales Tax Rate

7.50%

Base Registration Fee

$34.50

Ohio state rate 5.75% + Franklin County permissive tax 1.50% + transit 0.25%

Notarization: NOT REQUIRED

Ohio does not require notarization for a standard private vehicle sale. Both parties sign the title.

Columbus Transfer Checklist

  • Title must be transferred at the Franklin County Clerk of Courts Auto Title Office
  • Ohio sales tax collected at time of title transfer based on purchase price
  • Odometer disclosure required on the title for vehicles under 10 years old
  • Buyer must obtain Ohio title and plates before operating the vehicle

County Information — Franklin County

County Clerk / Recorder

Franklin County Clerk of Courts

Phone

(614) 525-3600

Website

https://franklincountyohio.gov/clerk

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 Ohio, 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 Ohio

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 Columbus, Ohio

Columbus residents completing a bus bill of sale should be aware of local requirements in addition to Ohio state rules. The state sales tax rate is 5.75%, 5.75% state plus county taxes (total up to 8%). The most popular bus makes in Ohio include Blue Bird, Thomas Built, IC Bus.

Ohio bill of sale statistics

BillOfSaleNow has generated 2,847 bill of sale documents for Ohio 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 county is Columbus in, and which office handles title transfers?

Columbus is in Franklin County. Title transfers are handled by the Franklin County BMV Title Office at 373 S High St, Columbus, OH 43215. Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–4:30 PM. Phone: (614) 525-3090.

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

The combined rate is 7.50%. Ohio state rate 5.75% + Franklin County permissive tax 1.50% + transit 0.25%.

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

No. Ohio does not require notarization for a standard private vehicle sale. Both parties sign the title.

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

Title transfer fee: $15.00. Base registration fee: $34.50. Sales tax at 7.50% is collected at the time of title transfer.