Key takeaways
- Sellers must file the Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability within 5 calendar days of the sale. It protects you but doesn't transfer ownership.
- Buyers have 10 days to transfer ownership with the signed title, a smog certificate if required, the $15 transfer fee and use tax.
- The seller usually must provide a valid smog certificate; the main exception is a car four or fewer model years old.
A private sale in California has two separate DMV steps: the seller reports the sale, and the buyer transfers ownership. Doing both on time protects each side from tickets, tolls and liability for a car they no longer control.
The seller's checklist
- Sign the title (pink slip) over to the buyer. If there's a lender, the lienholder must sign or release it.
- Give the buyer a valid smog certificate if one is required (see below).
- Record the odometer reading on the title (or on form REG 262). DMV requires it for vehicles of model year 2011 and newer until they are 20 model years old, so record the mileage on any 2011 or newer car.
- File the Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability (NRL) within 5 calendar days of the sale (Vehicle Code §5900). You can file it online at dmv.ca.gov.
- Remove your license plates only if they're special or personalized plates you want to keep. Standard plates normally stay with the car.
- Cancel or move your insurance after the sale.
Important: the DMV says filing an NRL does not transfer ownership. It records the date and time the car left your hands, which helps if the buyer gets tickets or toll violations before transferring the title.
The buyer's checklist
Buyers have 10 days from the purchase to transfer ownership (Vehicle Code §5902). Submit to the DMV:
- the title signed by the seller;
- the odometer reading on the title or form REG 262, required for vehicles of model year 2011 and newer until they are 20 model years old;
- a smog certification, if required;
- the $15 transfer fee, plus any registration fees due; and
- use tax.
Smog: who provides it?
The seller must give the buyer a valid smog certificate (Vehicle Code §24007(b)(2); DMV requires it for the transfer under §4000.1). The main exception is a non-diesel vehicle four or fewer model years old: then the buyer pays an $8 smog transfer fee instead. Transfers between certain close family members can also be exempt. See smog check requirements.
Use tax on a private purchase
California charges use tax when you register a car bought from a private seller. According to the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA), the rate is the same as the sales tax rate for the address where you register the vehicle, and you generally pay it to the DMV when you transfer. Purchases from certain close family members are generally exempt; stepparents and stepchildren usually don't qualify.
Protect yourself in a private sale
- Meet in a safe public place and check the buyer's ID.
- Accept cash or a verified cashier's check, and confirm a cashier's check with the issuing bank before handing over the title.
- Write a simple bill of sale with the date, price, VIN and both signatures, and keep a copy.
- File the NRL the same day if you can.
Sale timeline
| When | Who | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Before the sale | Seller | Get a smog check if one is required. The certificate is valid for 90 days for a sale. |
| Day of sale | Both | Sign the title, record the odometer reading (required for model year 2011 and newer), and sign a bill of sale. |
| Within 5 calendar days | Seller | File the Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability. |
| Within 10 days | Buyer | Transfer ownership at DMV with the title, smog certificate, fees and use tax. |
What you need to file the release of liability online
According to the DMV, have these ready before you start:
- the license plate number;
- the last five digits of the VIN;
- the odometer reading at the time of sale;
- the new owner's name and address;
- the date of sale; and
- your own name and address.
The online form fills in the make and model year for you.
Frequently asked questions
What happens if I don't file a release of liability?
You may stay responsible for the car. The DMV says your liability protection starts only after it receives the NRL. Until then, you could be held responsible for parking tickets, traffic violations and civil lawsuits involving the vehicle. You'll also keep getting registration renewal notices.
Can I file a release of liability after 5 days?
The law gives you 5 calendar days, and the DMV doesn't say what happens to a late filing. If you missed the deadline, file as soon as you can, because your protection only begins once DMV receives the notice.
Does filing the NRL transfer the title to the buyer?
No. The NRL only records when the car left your hands. The buyer must transfer ownership separately, within 10 days, by submitting the signed title and fees to DMV.
Do I keep my license plates when I sell my car in California?
Usually not. Standard plates normally stay with the car. You only remove plates if they're special or personalized plates you want to keep.
Who pays for the smog check when selling a car?
The seller pays for and provides the smog certificate in most sales. If the car is a non-diesel vehicle four or fewer model years old, no certificate is needed, and the buyer pays an $8 smog transfer fee instead. See smog check requirements.
Do I need a bill of sale to sell a car in California?
DMV requires a bill of sale when the person selling the car isn't the person named on the title. It must be signed by both the seller and the person on the title. Even when it isn't required, a simple bill of sale protects both sides.
What if I lost the title to the car I'm selling?
Complete the Application for Replacement or Transfer of Title (REG 227). It's listed on DMV's page for vehicles bought from a private party. A replacement title is also one of the tasks on the DMV online services list.
Sources
We use primary sources: statutes, court rules, official forms and government pages. Read our editorial standards.