Buying and selling a vehicle
What the seller and buyer each have to do, the deadlines that protect you, and the fees involved when a vehicle changes ownership in California.
Statewide guides
Buying and selling a vehicle at a glance
This topic covers what the seller and the buyer each have to do when a car changes hands in a private California sale. It explains the release of liability, the title transfer, smog certificates and use tax. We're an independent guide, so always file with the DMV on its official site, dmv.ca.gov.
| Item | Rule | Guide link |
|---|---|---|
| Seller's release of liability | File the Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability within 5 calendar days of the sale | Selling a car |
| Buyer's title transfer | Transfer ownership within 10 days of the purchase | Selling a car |
| Transfer fee | $15, plus any registration fees due and use tax | Selling a car |
| Smog certificate | Seller provides it; valid for 90 days for a sale | Selling a car |
| Newer non-diesel cars | Four or fewer model years old: no certificate, buyer pays an $8 smog transfer fee | Selling a car |
Where to start
- If you need to sell a car, file the release of liability, or transfer the title as a buyer, read selling a car in California: release of liability and title transfer.
- If you need to know whether the car needs a smog check before the sale, read smog check requirements.
Frequently asked questions
Does filing a release of liability transfer the title?
No. The DMV says the Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability only records the date and time the car left your hands. The buyer must transfer ownership separately, within 10 days, with the signed title and fees.
Who pays for the smog check when you sell a car?
In most sales, the seller pays for and provides the smog certificate. If the car is a non-diesel vehicle four or fewer model years old, no certificate is needed. The buyer pays an $8 smog transfer fee instead.
Do you pay sales tax on a car bought from a private seller?
You pay use tax instead. According to the CDTFA, the rate is the same as the sales tax rate for the address where you register the car. You generally pay it to the DMV when you transfer the title.
Purchases from certain close family members are generally exempt. Stepparents and stepchildren usually don't qualify.