Is a bill of sale required to sell a car in California?

While California DMV permits ownership transfer via an endorsed Certificate of Title (Pink Slip), executing a statutory Bill of Sale (Form REG 135 or Form SBF-CA-135) is strongly advised and frequently required. It provides mandatory legal proof of purchase price for California Use Tax assessment, confirms odometer disclosures, and establishes the precise minute of sale for seller liability protection.

What is California DMV Form REG 135?

Form REG 135 ('Bill of Sale') is the official California Department of Motor Vehicles form used to establish the transfer of a vehicle or vessel when the title lacks space for re-assignment, when transferring between family members, or to support tax valuation and registration at the DMV or AAA field offices.

Does the seller have to provide a smog certificate when selling a car in California?

Yes. Under California Vehicle Code § 4000.1, the seller is legally responsible for providing the buyer with a valid smog inspection certification completed within the past 90 days before the sale, unless the vehicle is 4 model years old or newer, electric, diesel manufactured before 1997, or gasoline-powered manufactured before 1976.

How long does a seller have to report a car sold in California?

Under California Vehicle Code § 5900, the seller must submit a Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability (Form REG 138 or online NRL) within 5 CALENDAR DAYS of the sale date. Filing this releases the seller from civil liability for parking tickets, toll violations, towing fees, or traffic accidents involving the vehicle.

Does a California vehicle bill of sale need to be notarized?

The California DMV does not legally mandate notarization for standard vehicle transfers between private parties if both parties sign the Certificate of Title and Bill of Sale. However, notarization provides unquestionable legal proof of identity and transfer date, which protects both parties against fraud and civil liability disputes.

Free California Vehicle Bill of Sale Form (DMV REG 135 PDF)

FORM SBF-CA-135 Statutory Year: 2026

California Vehicle Code (CVC) §§ 1652 & 5900 • CA DMV Form REG 135 Title Standards

STATE OF CALIFORNIA STATUTORY BILL OF SALE

Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale & Federal Odometer Mileage Disclosure

Compliant with California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) & Form REG 135 Title Standards

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS: That the undersigned Seller, for and in consideration of the total sales price set forth herein, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, does hereby bargain, sell, grant, transfer, and deliver unto the undersigned Buyer all legal rights, title, equity, and interest in and to the motor vehicle described below, to have and to hold forever.

Section A: Jurisdiction & Location of Sale State of California

State:

California County *:

Section B: Complete Motor Vehicle Description CA DMV Vehicle Record

Year *

Make *

Model *

Body Type

Color

CA Plate #

Vehicle Identification Number (VIN - 17 Characters) *:

Section C: Identification of Parties (Transferor & Transferee) Must Match CA DMV Records

1. SELLER (Transferor Information) Physical Address Only

Full Legal Name *

Physical Address (No P.O. Box) *

City *

State

ZIP Code *

Phone Number

CA Driver License #

2. BUYER (Transferee Information) For CA DMV Registration & Tax

Full Legal Name *

Physical Address (No P.O. Box) *

City *

State

ZIP Code *

Phone Number

Driver License #

Section D: Financial Terms, California Smog Certification & Odometer Mileage Disclosure

Price (USD) *:

Date of Sale *:

Paid by: Cash Cashier's Check Wire Gift

California Smog Certification (CVC § 4000.1): Seller certifies valid CA Smog Inspection completed within 90 days of sale, or vehicle is statutory exempt (≤4 model years old, electric, diesel <1997, gas <1976).

Federal & California Truth-in-Mileage Odometer Disclosure (49 U.S.C. § 32705 & CVC § 28053) Federal and California law require mileage disclosure. False statements incur fines or imprisonment.

Odometer Reading:

Miles

1. Actual Mileage: Reflects actual vehicle mileage to best of knowledge. 2. Exceeds Limits: Mileage exceeds 5-digit mechanical limits (rollover). 3. Warning — Discrepancy: Odometer reading is NOT the actual mileage.

California Statutory "AS-IS" Warranty Waiver (California Commercial Code § 2316) Private Sale • No Dealer / Implied Warranties

SOLD STRICTLY AS-IS, WHERE-IS: The Buyer agrees that this motor vehicle is sold in its present "AS-IS, WHERE-IS" condition, WITH ALL FAULTS AND DEFECTS, WHETHER KNOWN OR UNKNOWN. Pursuant to California Commercial Code § 2316, the Seller disclaims all warranties of any kind, express or implied, including warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. Seller assumes no post-sale liability for mechanical defects or safety repairs. Buyer acknowledges having had full opportunity to inspect, test-drive, and obtain an independent mechanic survey, or has knowingly waived this right. Seller certifies under penalty of perjury under California law that Seller is lawful owner with clear legal title free and clear of all liens and encumbrances.

Section E: Authorized Signatures & CA DMV Notice of Transfer Certification

MANDATORY NOTICE • SELLER LIABILITY RELEASE (CVC § 5900): The Seller must submit a Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability (Form REG 138 or online NRL at dmv.ca.gov) within 5 CALENDAR DAYS of sale to be released from civil, parking, toll violation, and towing liabilities. BUYER NOTICE (CVC § 5902): The Buyer must apply for transfer of title and registration with the CA DMV within 10 CALENDAR DAYS and pay applicable California Use Tax.

Seller (Transferor) Signature Must match California title

Signature: ✕

Seller Printed Name

Date

Buyer (Transferee) Signature For CA DMV Form REG 135

Signature: ✕

Buyer Printed Name

Date

Section F: State of California Notary Public Acknowledgment Optional for DMV; Recommended for high-value transactions

STATE OF CALIFORNIA COUNTY OF:

A notary public or other officer completing this certificate verifies only the identity of the individual who signed the document, and not the truthfulness, accuracy, or validity of that document. Subscribed and sworn to (or affirmed) before me on this _____ day of ________________, 2026, by __________________________, proved to me on the basis of satisfactory evidence to be the person(s) who appeared before me.

Notary Public Signature

MM/DD/YYYY

My Commission Expires

★ Affix Notary Seal / Stamp Here

FORM SBF-CA-135 (Rev. 2026) • StateBillForms.com California Vehicle Code §§ 1652, 5900 & 5902 • CA DMV Form REG 135 Compliant PAGE 1 OF 1

Official Process

California DMV 3-Step Private Vehicle Title Transfer Guide

Follow California statutory requirements under the California Vehicle Code (CVC) to legally transfer vehicle title, comply with mandatory smog inspection laws, and release the seller from parking and toll liabilities.

Sign Title & Provide Smog Certificate

The seller signs and endorses the original California Certificate of Title (Pink Slip) with purchase price, date, and odometer statement. Per CVC § 4000.1, the seller provides the buyer with a valid smog certification completed within 90 days. Both parties execute this Form SBF-CA-135.

Seller Files Notice of Transfer (NRL within 5 Days)

Within 5 CALENDAR DAYS of sale, the seller must submit a Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability (Form REG 138 or online NRL at dmv.ca.gov). This statutory filing protects the seller from parking citations, FasTrak toll violations, and towing fees.

Buyer Registers & Pays Use Tax (within 10 Days)

Within 10 CALENDAR DAYS of purchase (CVC § 5902), the buyer visits a CA DMV field office or AAA location with the signed title, Bill of Sale, smog certification, and pays the California Use Tax (ranging between 7.25% and 10.25% based on jurisdiction) plus transfer fees.

Statutory Summary

California Vehicle Transfer Legal Requirements

Key statutory standards, deadlines, and agency rules governing private motor vehicle sales under the California Vehicle Code.

Requirement / Element	California Statutory Standard	Legal Authority
Governing Agency	California Department of Motor Vehicles (CA DMV)	CVC § 1500
Official Bill of Sale Form	CA DMV Form REG 135 / Form SBF-CA-135	CVC § 1652
Seller Reporting Deadline	5 calendar days: Seller must submit Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability (REG 138 / online NRL)	CVC § 5900
Buyer Transfer Deadline	10 calendar days: Buyer must apply for title transfer and registration with CA DMV	CVC § 5902
Smog Certification Responsibility	Mandatory responsibility of SELLER. Certificate must be issued within 90 days of sale date	CVC § 4000.1
California Use Tax	7.25% statewide base tax + local district taxes (total 7.25%–10.25%) assessed on purchase price	Cal. Rev. & Tax. Code § 6201
Odometer Disclosure	Mandatory for motor vehicles up to 20 model years old (Federal Truth-in-Mileage Act)	49 CFR § 580 • CVC § 28053

Frequently Asked Questions

California Vehicle Bill of Sale & Title FAQs

Direct answers to the most common questions regarding private car transactions, CA DMV regulations, and smog inspection requirements.

Free California Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale Form

STATE OF CALIFORNIA STATUTORY BILL OF SALE