California Vehicle Bill of Sale (REG 135): Free Template and Title Transfer Rules

Vehicle Bill of Sale (California)

This Vehicle Bill of Sale (“Agreement”) is made on [Date] in the State of California by and between:

Seller (Registered Owner):
[Full Legal Name: first, middle, last, suffix]
Driver License / ID Number: [DL or ID Number]
[Mailing Address]
[City, State, ZIP] Daytime Phone: [Phone]

Buyer (New Owner):
[Full Legal Name: first, middle, last, suffix]
[Mailing Address]
[City, State, ZIP]

The DMV’s own Bill of Sale, form REG 135, records the seller’s printed name, signature, date, driver license or ID number, mailing address and daytime phone, and the buyer’s printed name and mailing address. Keep the same details here so this document matches the state form line for line.

Price, Method, and Receipt

The Parties fix the sale payment amount at $[Amount]. Payment method: [Cash / Cashier’s check / Bank transfer / Financing]. Date of payment: [Date of Payment]. Seller acknowledges receipt in full, inclusive of any prior deposit of $[Deposit or “None”]. If this transfer is a gift, the gift value is $[Value] and the relationship of Buyer to Seller is [e.g., parent, spouse, friend]. Buyer pays California use tax on the purchase price at the rate for the address where the Vehicle will be registered.

Delivery / Transfer Timing

Delivery occurs at [Location] on [Delivery Date/Time]. From delivery forward, Buyer bears risk of loss and responsibility for operation. Standard California license plates remain with the Vehicle. Personalized or special interest plates: ☐ none ☐ Seller keeps them and replaces them before delivery ☐ Seller releases them to Buyer on form REG 17.

Vehicle Identification Details

Vehicle Identification:
Vehicle Identification Number: [VIN]
Year Model: [Year]
Make: [Make]
Model: [Model]
Body Type: [Body Type]
License Plate / CF Number: [Plate]
Title brand, if any: [None / Salvage / Revived Salvage / other, as shown on the title]
Legal owner (lienholder), if any: [Name, or “None”]

Odometer Statement

At the time of transfer the odometer shows [Mileage] miles (no tenths). Indicate one:
☐ Actual mileage ☐ Not the actual mileage, WARNING – ODOMETER DISCREPANCY ☐ Mileage in excess of the odometer mechanical limits

Federal law requires the seller to state the mileage in connection with the transfer of ownership. It goes on the California title or, if the title has no space for it, on a Vehicle/Vessel Transfer and Reassignment form (REG 262) signed by both Parties. Providing a false statement may result in fines and/or imprisonment.

Title, Liens, and Payoff

Seller warrants title and states the Vehicle is free of liens except: [Legal owner name and address, or “None”]. Seller signs line 1 of the California Certificate of Title to release interest; where the title names co-owners joined by “and”, each owner signs, and where joined by “or”, one owner may sign. Any legal owner of record releases its interest on the title before the DMV issues Buyer a new one. Any listed lien will be released upon payoff and the release evidence delivered within [X] business days after funds clear.

Taxes, Registration, and Fees

Buyer will submit the properly endorsed title to the DMV within 10 days (Vehicle Code 5902) and will pay the $15 transfer fee within 30 days of the transfer to avoid a late penalty, together with use tax (7.25% to 10.25% by the registration address), any registration and vehicle license fees due, and the $8 smog transfer fee if the Vehicle is four model years old or newer. Buyer provides proof of insurance. A family transfer or gift exempt from use tax is documented on a Statement of Facts (REG 256).

Smog Certification and Condition

Seller delivers a valid smog certificate issued within the last 90 days, at or before delivery (Vehicle Code 24007), unless the Vehicle is exempt: gasoline, hybrid or alternative-fuel vehicles four model years old or newer, gasoline vehicles of model year 1975 and older, diesel vehicles of model year 1997 and older, electric vehicles, or a transfer between immediate family members. Smog certificate date: [Date or “Exempt”].

Buyer confirms a chance to inspect and test-drive the Vehicle and accepts it AS-IS, with all faults, unless a written warranty is attached. Promised items after closing: [List or “None”].

Optional Notary Acknowledgment

California does not require a vehicle bill of sale or a private title transfer to be notarized; REG 135 is certified under penalty of perjury. The Parties may nonetheless have this Agreement acknowledged with a California all-purpose certificate of acknowledgment:
State of California, County of [County]. On [Date] before me, [Notary name], personally appeared [Names].
Notary Public Signature: ____________________ (Seal)

Governing Law / Venue

This Agreement is governed by the laws of the State of California. Venue lies in [County] County, California.

Entire Agreement; Changes

This Agreement supersedes all prior communications. Revisions must be signed by both Parties. Do not alter a signed copy; prepare a clean one and sign it again.

California Filing Checklist

Which document transfers ownership. The California Certificate of Title, released by the registered owner on line 1 with the odometer disclosure, and forwarded by the buyer to the DMV within 10 days with the transfer fee (Vehicle Code 5902). If the title is lost, the seller first completes an Application for Replacement or Transfer of Title (REG 227).

When DMV needs a bill of sale. When the seller is not the owner whose name is on the title: then a bill of sale signed by both the seller and the titled owner is required. REG 135 is the DMV’s form for it.

Seller, at and after the sale:

• Sign line 1 of the title (every “and” co-owner signs); enter the odometer reading, or complete REG 262 with the buyer

• Give the buyer a smog certificate from the last 90 days, unless exempt

• Give the buyer the title, any lien release, and this bill of sale

• File the Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability (REG 138 or online) within 5 calendar days (Vehicle Code 5900)

• Keep personalized plates or release them to the buyer on REG 17; standard plates stay on the car

Buyer, within 10 days, at the DMV. Bring:

• The signed title (or REG 227 and REG 262 where needed)

• The smog certificate, or pay the $8 smog transfer fee for a vehicle four model years old or newer

• This bill of sale, and REG 256 for a family transfer or gift

• Proof of insurance

• Payment: $15 transfer fee (within 30 days to avoid a penalty), use tax at your address’s rate, and any registration and vehicle license fees due

Seller’s protection. Once the DMV receives the Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability, liability for parking violations, traffic violations and civil litigation after the date of sale moves to the buyer. Filed online, the record updates within one business day.

Tax. Use tax at the same rate as sales tax for the registration address, 7.25% to 10.25%. Exempt with REG 256: transfers between spouses, parents, children, grandparents and grandchildren, and between siblings when both are minors; gifts marked “gift” on the title.

Sources: California Vehicle Code §§ 5900 (seller’s notice within 5 calendar days), 5902 (transferee within 10 days), 9553 (late penalties), 24007 (seller provides smog certificate); California DMV, “Registration for a Vehicle Purchased from a Private Party”, “Title Transfers and Changes”, “Registration Fees” (transfer $15, smog transfer $8), Vehicle Industry Registration Procedures Manual 11.015 and 11.125, forms REG 135 (rev. 2/2007), REG 138, REG 227, REG 256, REG 262; Bureau of Automotive Repair, “Smog Check”; CDTFA Publication 52, “Vehicles and Vessels: Use Tax” (November 2025). Verified 28 September 2026.

Signatures

Seller’s Signature: _______________________ Date: __________
Printed Name: _____________________________ DL, ID or Dealer #: __________
Co-Seller’s Signature (if any): ____________________

Buyer’s Signature: ________________________ Date: __________
Printed Name: _____________________________