How to Write a California Bill of Sale for a Car

A California bill of sale for a car records who sold the vehicle, who bought it, which vehicle it was, and for what price. You can use the DMV’s Form REG 135, the bill of sale block on Form REG 262, or a plain sheet of paper, so long as the document identifies the vehicle and the terms of the sale.¹ Writing the document is the easy part; the deadlines, the title signing, and the smog certificate are where private sales usually go wrong.

What to Put on the Bill of Sale

Gather the following before you fill anything out. Every entry should match the vehicle’s title exactly.

Full legal names and current addresses for both buyer and seller. Driver’s license numbers add a useful layer of identification.
Vehicle year, make, model, body style, color, license plate number, and Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). The VIN is the identifier that ties the document to the specific car.
The agreed sale price. If the car is a gift, write “$0” or “gift” rather than leaving the line blank.
The exact odometer reading at the time of sale.
The date of sale, which starts the clock on the filings both parties owe the DMV.

Form REG 135 is free to download from the DMV’s forms page.² The DMV will accept any bill of sale that accurately identifies the vehicle and establishes the chain of ownership.¹

Signing and Notarization

Both parties sign and date the completed document. Print legibly. A transposed VIN digit or an unreadable name will cause problems at the DMV counter, so check the price, mileage, and VIN against the title before anyone signs.

A California bill of sale does not need to be notarized or witnessed to be valid. The DMV says so explicitly.¹ Make at least two copies once it’s signed so each party walks away with one.

Odometer Disclosure

California requires an odometer disclosure for any vehicle less than 20 model years old at the time of transfer. The threshold moved from 10 to 20 model years for all transfers on or after January 1, 2021.³ For a car sold in 2026, that captures model year 2007 and newer.

The number must be accurate. If the odometer has been replaced, is broken, or has rolled over its maximum, disclose that on the title or odometer statement instead of writing a figure you know is wrong. Federal and state law both treat odometer fraud as a serious offense.

Signing Over the Title

The bill of sale documents the deal, but the California Certificate of Title (the “pink slip”) is what transfers ownership. Both pieces need to happen.

The seller signs the release-of-interest line on the back of the title. If the title lists co-owners joined by “and,” every owner must sign; if the names are joined by “or” or “and/or,” one signature is enough.⁴ Any lienholder listed on the title must also release its interest before the car can be transferred. The buyer then enters their name and address as the new owner.

Write the sale price and odometer reading on the title where indicated. They must match the bill of sale exactly. Mismatches slow down registration and can raise fraud concerns at the counter.

Smog Certificate

The seller is responsible for providing a valid smog certificate for a private-party sale. The seller pays for the inspection, and the certificate is transmitted electronically to the DMV. It is valid for 90 days, so you can complete it a few weeks before listing the car.⁵ Give the buyer a copy of the vehicle inspection report.

Several categories of vehicle are exempt from smog checks on a change of ownership:

Gasoline, hybrid, and alternative-fuel vehicles four model years old and newer (a smog transfer fee applies instead)
Electric vehicles
Diesel vehicles model year 1997 and older, or with a gross vehicle weight rating above 14,000 pounds
Gasoline vehicles model year 1975 and older
Motorcycles

If the vehicle needs a smog check and the seller doesn’t provide one, the buyer can’t register the car. Sorting this out after money has changed hands is a predictable mess, so buyers should confirm the certificate exists before paying.⁵

Verifying the Vehicle Before You Buy

A buyer should check that the car isn’t stolen, salvaged, or carrying an undisclosed lien. The National Insurance Crime Bureau’s free VINCheck tool searches insurance theft claims and salvage records; it is limited to five searches per day and only covers participating insurers.⁶ The National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS) adds title history and brand information from state DMVs.

Compare the VIN on the dashboard and door jamb with the VIN on the title. If they don’t match, walk away. Confirm the name on the title matches the seller’s ID as well. Buying from someone who isn’t the titled owner creates chain-of-ownership problems the DMV will not overlook.

What the Seller Files After the Sale

Within five calendar days of the sale, the seller must file a Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability (NRL) with the DMV. California Vehicle Code Section 5900 requires it.⁷ File it online through the DMV website or mail in Form REG 138.

The NRL transfers legal responsibility to the new owner as of the sale date. Once it’s processed, you’re no longer answerable for parking tickets, traffic violations, or civil claims tied to the vehicle.⁸ Skip it and you can end up on the hook for someone else’s red-light tickets. Save the confirmation as your proof.

What the Buyer Does at the DMV

The buyer has 10 days from the purchase date to transfer ownership into their name.⁹ Bring the signed title, your copy of the bill of sale, a valid smog certificate (or proof of exemption), and payment for fees and tax. Miss the window and late penalties apply.

Registration Fees

The title transfer fee is $15, and the base registration fee is $76. A Transportation Improvement Fee is added based on the vehicle’s market value:

$0–$4,999: $33
$5,000–$24,999: $66
$25,000–$34,999: $132
$35,000–$59,999: $198
$60,000 and above: $231

County and local fees may also apply depending on where you register.¹⁰

Use Tax

California collects use tax on private-party vehicle purchases at the combined state and local sales tax rate for the address where you register the vehicle. In most areas that rate falls between roughly 7.25% and 10.25%, applied to the full purchase price including any trade-in value or assumed debt. The tax is paid at the DMV when you register and is due by the last day of the month following your purchase.¹¹ On a $15,000 car, that easily runs over $1,000; budget for it.

1
California Department of Motor Vehicles. Vehicle Industry Registration Procedures Manual – 1.020 Bill of Sale (VC 1652)
2
California Department of Motor Vehicles. Forms
3
California Department of Motor Vehicles. Vehicle Industry Registration Procedures Manual – Odometer Mileage Reporting – Section: 5.025 Disclosure Requirements
4
California Department of Motor Vehicles. Vehicle Industry Registration Procedures Manual – Basic Transfer Requirements
5
California Bureau of Automotive Repair. Smog Check
6
National Insurance Crime Bureau. VINCheck Lookup
7
California Legislative Information. California Code VEH Division 3 Chapter 2 Article 3 Section 5900
8
California Department of Motor Vehicles. Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability
9
California Department of Motor Vehicles. Section 11 – Vehicle Registration Requirements
10
California Department of Motor Vehicles. Registration Fees
11
California Department of Tax and Fee Administration. Vehicles