California Vehicle Bill of Sale
Generate your California vehicle bill of sale
Create a bill of sale that meets California's requirements under California Vehicle Code §1652 / §5900 / §24007(b), including odometer disclosure and as-is warranty terms. Print and sign by hand, or sign electronically and share with the other party to countersign.
*Electronic signatures are legally binding under the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act (15 U.S.C. §7001).
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Common questions about selling a vehicle in California
Is a bill of sale required to sell a car in California?
California does not legally require a bill of sale for a private-party vehicle transfer, but the DMV provides an official bill of sale form (REG 135) and accepts any written bill of sale that identifies the vehicle. In practice, a bill of sale is strongly recommended because it documents the agreed sale price — which the DMV uses to calculate use tax — and provides both parties with a dated record of the transaction. The signed certificate of title (the "pink slip") is the primary transfer document.
The seller must file a Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability (REG 138) with the DMV within 5 calendar days of the sale. This is one of the shortest filing windows of any state and is critical: until this form is filed, the seller remains the registered owner and can be held responsible for parking tickets, tolls, and accidents involving the vehicle.
What does a California vehicle bill of sale need to include?
A California bill of sale should include the full legal names and addresses of the buyer and seller, the date of sale, the purchase price, and the vehicle's year, make, model, VIN, and license plate number. If using the DMV's REG 135 form, the seller signs under a declaration of perjury certifying that the information is accurate. The buyer's section requires only a printed name and address — no buyer signature is needed on the REG 135. A bill of sale in California does not need to be notarized or witnessed.
What is the smog certification requirement?
California requires the seller to provide the buyer with a valid smog certificate for most private-party vehicle sales. The smog inspection must have been completed within 90 days of the sale. If the vehicle fails its smog check, the seller is responsible for making repairs until it passes — the DMV will not process the title transfer without a valid certificate on file.
Several categories of vehicles are exempt from the smog inspection requirement. Vehicles that are 4 model years old or newer do not need a smog inspection, but the buyer pays an $8 smog transfer fee to the DMV instead. Gasoline-powered vehicles from model year 1975 or earlier, diesel vehicles from model year 1997 or earlier, electric vehicles, and natural gas vehicles weighing over 14,000 pounds are also exempt. Transfers between qualifying family members (spouse, domestic partner, parent, child, sibling, grandparent, or grandchild) skip the smog inspection entirely.
Does a California vehicle bill of sale need to be notarized?
No. California does not require notarization of a vehicle bill of sale, the title assignment, or any other document in a standard private-party vehicle transfer. The seller's signature on the title and the REG 135 (if used) are sufficient.
What taxes and fees does the buyer owe?
The buyer owes California use tax on the purchase price. The statewide base rate is 7.25%, but county and district taxes can raise the effective rate above 10% in some areas (California Vehicle Code §1678; Revenue and Taxation Code §6051). The use tax is collected by the DMV at the time of title transfer. If the vehicle is received as a gift or transferred between qualifying family members, the transaction may be exempt from use tax but still requires a Statement of Facts (REG 256) documenting the exemption.
The title transfer fee is $15. Registration fees vary by vehicle type, value, and county. If the vehicle's registration has lapsed, back fees and penalties may apply.
Do license plates stay with the vehicle or the seller?
In California, standard license plates stay with the vehicle when it is sold — the buyer does not need new plates. This is the opposite of states like Texas and Florida, where plates belong to the owner. If the vehicle has personalized or special-interest plates, those plates belong to the seller and must be removed before the sale. The buyer would then need to apply for new plates.
What should the seller do after the sale?
The seller must file the Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability (REG 138) with the DMV within 5 days of the sale. This can be done online at the DMV website or by mail. Filing the REG 138 is the single most important post-sale step — it protects the seller from liability for everything from parking tickets to accidents. The seller should also keep a copy of the signed title, the bill of sale, and the smog certificate for their records.
Governing law
Vehicle title transfers in California are governed by the California Vehicle Code, particularly Division 3 (Registration of Vehicles and Certificates of Title). Smog certification requirements fall under the California Health and Safety Code Division 26 and the regulations of the Bureau of Automotive Repair. Federal odometer disclosure requirements are established by 49 U.S.C. Chapter 327 and 49 CFR Part 580. Use tax is governed by the California Revenue and Taxation Code Part 1.