What county is Salem in, and which office handles title transfers?
Salem is in Marion County. Title transfers are handled by the Oregon DMV – Salem Office at 1905 Center St NE, Salem, OR 97301. Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–5:00 PM. Phone: (503) 945-5000.
City release page
Create Salem, Oregon Bus Bill of Sale Online
Use this bill of sale when selling a bus in Salem, Oregon. It documents the transfer and helps you complete DMV title paperwork.
Salem, OregonBusPopulation rank #141
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 — Marion County
DMV / Title Office
Oregon DMV – Salem Office
Address
1905 Center St NE, Salem, OR 97301
Phone
(503) 945-5000
Office Hours
Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–5:00 PM
Transfer Fees & Taxes
Title Transfer Fee
$77.00
Sales Tax Rate
0.00%
Base Registration Fee
$122.00
Oregon has no sales tax. No tax on used private-party sales.
Notarization: NOT REQUIRED
Oregon does not require notarization.
Salem Transfer Checklist
- No sales tax on used vehicle purchases
- Title transfer within 30 days
- DEQ emissions testing required in Salem area
- Seller must sign title assignment
County Information — Marion County
County Clerk / Recorder
Marion County Clerk
Phone
(503) 588-5225
Private party vehicle sales in Marion County may be exempt from sales tax — verify with the county clerk before completing your transaction.
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 Oregon, 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 Oregon
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 Salem, Oregon
Salem residents completing a bus bill of sale should be aware of local requirements in addition to Oregon state rules. The state sales tax rate is 0%, no sales tax; 0.5% statewide transit tax on new vehicles only. The most popular bus makes in Oregon include Blue Bird, Thomas Built, IC Bus.
Oregon bill of sale statistics
BillOfSaleNow has generated 1,038 bill of sale documents for Oregon transactions, with 28 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 Salem?
The combined rate is 0.00%. Oregon has no sales tax. No tax on used private-party sales..
Is notarization required for a bus bill of sale in Salem?
No. Oregon does not require notarization.
What fees should I expect when transferring a bus title in Salem?
Title transfer fee: $77.00. Base registration fee: $122.00. Sales tax at 0.00% is collected at the time of title transfer.