How to Sell a Car in California
Get the official DMV transfer forms., Be prepared to provide smog certification if if your car isn't exempt., Be prepared to have your car inspected., Be prepared to pay a few minor fees., Obtain miscellaneous forms under certain special...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Get the official DMV transfer forms.
When a car changes ownership in California (whether by being sold or by being inherited, given as a gift, etc.), the DMV considers this a "transfer." The DMV uses certain forms to document transfers.
You'll need official copies of the following forms to legally complete the sale:
California Application for Duplicate Title Form REG
227.
You can download and print this form online here.Vehicle/Vessel Transfer and Reassignment Form REG
262.
This form isn't available online because it is printed on special security paper.
To get it, you need to call the DMV at 1-800-777-0133 and request to have a copy mailed to you. -
Step 2: Be prepared to provide smog certification if if your car isn't exempt.
Selling many cars requires up-to-date certification from a STAR smog test station.
You can search for STAR stations near you here.Smog certifications are valid for 90 days — you must complete the sale within this time or get re-tested.
Note, however, that many cars do not need smog certification when sold.
Cars that do not need to be tested include:"Hybrid" cars Cars that run on diesel Cars that run on electricity Cars that run on natural gas Cars less than four years old Cars made before 1975 , The vast majority of consumer guides recommend buyers to have the car they plan to purchase inspected by a licensed technician before exchanging any money for it.It is typically the buyer's responsibility to pay for the inspection or perform it personally.
However, it's still your car at this point, so you may need to work out an arrangement to accommodate the buyer's request.Consider getting a mobile inspection service to inspect the car on your property if you don't want to go to the trouble of taking it to a mechanic.
Be sure to keep all documentation from the inspection — especially if the mechanic finds an issue that may be cause for concern. , Depending on the specifics of your situation, the fees you and the buyer may need to pay can vary.
The fees you owe are determined when the transfer application is submitted to the DMV.
These may include, but are not limited to:
Transfer fee ($15 plus tax).
This is paid by the buyer.Use tax (depends on the county and city) This is paid by the buyer.Duplicate title fee , For most car sales, the forms above will be sufficient.
However, some situation call for extra documentation.
See below:
If you are selling a commercial vehicle, you may need Declaration of Gross Vehicle Weight/Combined Gross Vehicle Weight Form Form REG 4008 (available here.If you are selling to a family member, you need Statement of Facts Form REG 256 (available here).
If your car is under a lien, you will need the lienholder's release notarized.
Note also that there are sections on the transfer forms above for the lienholder to sign.
If your name is misspelled or printed in error on your car title, you will need Statement of Error or Erasure REG 101 (available here).If your car is missing a license plate, registration stickers, or other important documentation, you will need Application for Replacement Plates, Stickers, Documents Form REG 156 (available here)., Download and print the forms in the section above that you need.
Call the DMV to request Form REG 262, making sure to allow enough time for it to arrive in the mail.
If your car is under a lien, this is a good time to get the lienholder's release (as well as his or her signature on the transfer forms). , This is your chance to clarify any misunderstandings and work out any differences of opinion.
The most important thing to review and agree on is the price of the sale (documented on REG 227), but it's a good idea to go over all of the documents together to ensure total agreement.
In addition to completing the forms together, you will also need to sign your car's title to confirm that you release ownership of it. , Because the number of miles a car has traveled can affect its monetary value, this information is critical.
Be sure to record the odometer reading on REG 262 and the title and make sure the buyer sees and understands the reading.
Falsifying this information, failing to disclose it, or tampering with the odometer is a crime.
However, you don't need to do this if thevehicle is 10 years old or more., When you and your buyer have reviewed all of the paperwork, give it to an associate at the DMV.
Your transfer request will be registered and logged in the official records. , As the seller, you have five days to report the transfer.
Luckily, you can do this online here, or at the DMV when you submit your paperwork.You will need the car's license plate number, the last five digits of the VIN, and the new owner's name and address.
The buyer must also report the transfer of the car.
However, s/he has 10 days. -
Step 3: Be prepared to have your car inspected.
-
Step 4: Be prepared to pay a few minor fees.
-
Step 5: Obtain miscellaneous forms under certain special circumstances.
-
Step 6: Fill out all required forms.
-
Step 7: Review and sign the forms and with the buyer.
-
Step 8: Don't forget to disclose the odometer reading.
-
Step 9: Submit all forms to the DMV.
-
Step 10: Report the transfer to the DMV.
Detailed Guide
When a car changes ownership in California (whether by being sold or by being inherited, given as a gift, etc.), the DMV considers this a "transfer." The DMV uses certain forms to document transfers.
You'll need official copies of the following forms to legally complete the sale:
California Application for Duplicate Title Form REG
227.
You can download and print this form online here.Vehicle/Vessel Transfer and Reassignment Form REG
262.
This form isn't available online because it is printed on special security paper.
To get it, you need to call the DMV at 1-800-777-0133 and request to have a copy mailed to you.
Selling many cars requires up-to-date certification from a STAR smog test station.
You can search for STAR stations near you here.Smog certifications are valid for 90 days — you must complete the sale within this time or get re-tested.
Note, however, that many cars do not need smog certification when sold.
Cars that do not need to be tested include:"Hybrid" cars Cars that run on diesel Cars that run on electricity Cars that run on natural gas Cars less than four years old Cars made before 1975 , The vast majority of consumer guides recommend buyers to have the car they plan to purchase inspected by a licensed technician before exchanging any money for it.It is typically the buyer's responsibility to pay for the inspection or perform it personally.
However, it's still your car at this point, so you may need to work out an arrangement to accommodate the buyer's request.Consider getting a mobile inspection service to inspect the car on your property if you don't want to go to the trouble of taking it to a mechanic.
Be sure to keep all documentation from the inspection — especially if the mechanic finds an issue that may be cause for concern. , Depending on the specifics of your situation, the fees you and the buyer may need to pay can vary.
The fees you owe are determined when the transfer application is submitted to the DMV.
These may include, but are not limited to:
Transfer fee ($15 plus tax).
This is paid by the buyer.Use tax (depends on the county and city) This is paid by the buyer.Duplicate title fee , For most car sales, the forms above will be sufficient.
However, some situation call for extra documentation.
See below:
If you are selling a commercial vehicle, you may need Declaration of Gross Vehicle Weight/Combined Gross Vehicle Weight Form Form REG 4008 (available here.If you are selling to a family member, you need Statement of Facts Form REG 256 (available here).
If your car is under a lien, you will need the lienholder's release notarized.
Note also that there are sections on the transfer forms above for the lienholder to sign.
If your name is misspelled or printed in error on your car title, you will need Statement of Error or Erasure REG 101 (available here).If your car is missing a license plate, registration stickers, or other important documentation, you will need Application for Replacement Plates, Stickers, Documents Form REG 156 (available here)., Download and print the forms in the section above that you need.
Call the DMV to request Form REG 262, making sure to allow enough time for it to arrive in the mail.
If your car is under a lien, this is a good time to get the lienholder's release (as well as his or her signature on the transfer forms). , This is your chance to clarify any misunderstandings and work out any differences of opinion.
The most important thing to review and agree on is the price of the sale (documented on REG 227), but it's a good idea to go over all of the documents together to ensure total agreement.
In addition to completing the forms together, you will also need to sign your car's title to confirm that you release ownership of it. , Because the number of miles a car has traveled can affect its monetary value, this information is critical.
Be sure to record the odometer reading on REG 262 and the title and make sure the buyer sees and understands the reading.
Falsifying this information, failing to disclose it, or tampering with the odometer is a crime.
However, you don't need to do this if thevehicle is 10 years old or more., When you and your buyer have reviewed all of the paperwork, give it to an associate at the DMV.
Your transfer request will be registered and logged in the official records. , As the seller, you have five days to report the transfer.
Luckily, you can do this online here, or at the DMV when you submit your paperwork.You will need the car's license plate number, the last five digits of the VIN, and the new owner's name and address.
The buyer must also report the transfer of the car.
However, s/he has 10 days.
About the Author
Gary Harris
Enthusiastic about teaching practical skills techniques through clear, step-by-step guides.
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