Create Texas UTV bill of sale for private sale Online

Texas UTV Private Sale: No Title for UTVs, OHV Sticker via TPWD

Texas does not issue motor vehicle titles for UTVs (Utility Task Vehicles / side-by-sides). In Texas, a UTV is classified as an Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) — not a motor vehicle — and the transfer process is fundamentally different from a car or truck sale. Understanding this distinction prevents the most common Texas UTV transfer error: attempting to title a UTV through the county tax assessor-collector, which does not process OHV transactions. Texas UTV Classification: OHV, Not Motor Vehicle Under Texas Transportation Code § 521.001, UTVs are classified as Off-Highway Vehicles unless they have been issued a street-legal conversion under a specific Texas Department of Transportation authorization. Factory-stock UTVs — including the Polaris RZR, Can-Am Maverick, Yamaha Wolverine, Kawasaki Teryx, Honda Talon, and comparable models — are not motor vehicles for title purposes and are not titled through the Texas DMV or county tax offices. Texas OHV Registration: TPWD Form PWD 1000 Texas requires OHV registration through Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) under Texas Parks and Wildlife Code § 29.007. The TPWD issues an OHV decal (not a title) that serves as the registered ownership identifier. The transfer is documented using a bill of sale and TPWD Form PWD 1000 (Application for Recreational Vehicle Permit), filed at a TPWD office or authorized deputy registrar. There is no Texas-issued title to transfer for a standard UTV — the bill of sale and the new owner's TPWD OHV registration together establish chain of ownership. No Sales Tax on UTV Sales? Partially True Because UTVs are not motor vehicles under Texas law, the 6.25% motor vehicle sales tax does not apply at the standard DMV level. However, Texas imposes a 6.25% use tax on OHV purchases under Texas Tax Code § 151.005, collected by TPWD at time of OHV registration. Buyers must pay the use tax to TPWD when registering the OHV. If the UTV is purchased from a dealer (not private party), the dealer collects sales tax at point of sale. Texas UTV Street-Legal Pathway: Uncommon but Available Texas Transportation Code § 551.402 defines a "golf cart" but does not have a broad UTV street-legal conversion path equivalent to Utah or Arizona. Some Texas municipalities have passed local ordinances allowing OHV operation on city streets in specific communities (typically rural areas and ranching communities). A UTV that has been municipally authorized for street use may have a separate registration document — sellers should provide this documentation if applicable. Do not assume a factory UTV is street-legal in Texas without verifying local ordinances. CPSC ROV Safety Disclosure The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) regulates Recreational Off-Highway Vehicles (ROVs) under 16 CFR Part 1272. Factory UTVs sold in the U.S. after 2014 should comply with ROV safety standards including lateral tip resistance, crush protection, and seat belt requirements. Sellers of UTVs with aftermarket roll cage modifications, custom bumpers, or altered seating configurations should disclose these modifications in the bill of sale, as they may affect ROV compliance status. Trailer Transfer if UTV Is Sold with Trailer UTVs are almost always transported on a trailer. If the sale includes a trailer and the trailer is under 4,000 lbs GVWR, no Texas trailer title is required — a bill of sale covering both the UTV and the trailer is sufficient. For trailers over 4,000 lbs GVWR, a separate Texas title transfer is required for the trailer component of the sale. The bill of sale should separately itemize the UTV price and trailer price. Step-by-Step Texas UTV Transfer Checklist 1. Confirm UTV is a factory-stock OHV — not a street-legal converted vehicle. 2. Execute a detailed bill of sale: VIN/serial, make, model year, engine size, color, all accessories. 3. Buyer completes TPWD Form PWD 1000 — files at TPWD office for new OHV decal. 4. Buyer pays 6.25% Texas use tax to TPWD at time of OHV registration. 5. If trailer included over 4,000 lbs GVWR: complete Form 130-U for trailer title separately. 6. Seller retains copy of bill of sale for 5 years (TPWD audit protection).

Source: TX Transportation Code § 521.001; § 551.402; TX Parks & Wildlife Code § 29.007; TX Tax Code § 151.005; 16 CFR Part 1272 (CPSC ROV); TPWD Form PWD 1000