After a private-party sale in California the buyer has 10 days to transfer ownership and the seller has 5 days to file a release of liability. The buyer needs the title signed by the seller, an odometer reading if the car is under 10 years old, a smog certificate unless the car is under four model years old, a bill of sale if the seller isn't the owner on the title, the $15 transfer fee, and use tax on the price. Miss the window and penalties start.
| Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Buyer's deadline | 10 days after purchasing the vehicle to transfer ownership (DMV). |
| Seller's deadline | 5 days after the sale to report the transfer to the DMV with a Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability (DMV). |
| Smog | The seller must provide a valid smog certification, unless the car is less than four years old, in which case the buyer pays a smog transfer fee instead (DMV). |
| Odometer | A record of the odometer mileage is required if the vehicle is less than 10 years old (DMV). |
| Money | $15 transfer fee plus use tax on the purchase price (DMV fee schedule). |
What exactly is the 10-day rule?
The DMV's wording: buyers have 10 days after purchasing the vehicle to transfer ownership from the seller to themselves, and sellers have 5 days after the sale to report the transfer of ownership to DMV. The buyer's deadline is about getting the title and registration into your name; the seller's is about getting off the hook for anything that happens with the car after the sale. Both are counted from the sale date on the title, not from when you got around to it.
What do I need from the seller before I hand over the money?
Everything the DMV lists for the transfer, because the seller is much harder to reach after the sale. The title signed by the person selling the car, with the odometer reading filled in if the car is under 10 years old (a REG 262 odometer disclosure if the title has no mileage line). A smog certification, which the DMV says the seller needs to give the new owner unless the car is less than four years old. And if the person selling isn't the name on the title, a Bill of Sale signed by both the seller and the person whose name appears on the title.
- Title signed by the seller, and by the lienholder if one is printed on it
- Odometer reading on the title (vehicle under 10 years old) or a REG 262
- Smog certificate, unless the vehicle is under four model years old
- Bill of sale, if the seller isn't the titled owner
- The seller's copy of the release of liability, or at least confirmation they'll file it
How much does it cost to transfer a title in California?
The DMV transfer fee is $15. The larger number is use tax, charged on the purchase price at the sales tax rate where the vehicle will be kept, collected when the title transfers. Any registration fees already due on the vehicle, or coming due, are added. If the car is under four model years old, a smog transfer fee replaces the inspection. Transfers between certain close family members can be exempt from use tax and smog; the DMV decides eligibility based on the relationship, so bring proof.
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Transfer fee | $15 | Vehicle Code §9255 |
| Use tax | Local rate × purchase price | Collected at transfer; some family transfers and gifts exempt |
| Registration fees | If due | Renewal fees and any penalties already on the record |
| Replacement title | $28 | Only if the seller lost the title and a REG 227 is needed |
| Late transfer | Penalties | Added once the 10-day window has passed |
What if the seller lost the title?
The DMV says that if the title is missing you must complete an Application for Replacement or Transfer of Title (REG 227) first. The seller signs it as the registered owner, you sign as the new owner, and the replacement and transfer are processed together. If a lienholder appears on the record, section 5 must be notarized and the lender's release is needed. This is the single most common reason a private sale stalls, and it's fixable in one visit if the seller will cooperate.
I'm the seller. How do I protect myself?
File the Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability within 5 days, and keep a copy. It records that the vehicle changed hands on a specific date, so parking tickets, toll violations and accidents after that date aren't attributed to you. You'll need the buyer's name and address, the odometer reading, the sale date and the plate number. It takes a few minutes and costs nothing at the DMV; a business partner can file it while you wait.
From the counter
Title transfers from Facebook Marketplace and driveway sales are the second most common thing we do after renewals. The transfers that go wrong share a pattern: the buyer paid first and asked about the title later. Read the title before the money moves.
We process registered-owner transfers and file the seller's release of liability at the counter on E Norris Rd as a DMV business partner, and we're a notary if the REG 227 needs one. The $15 state fee and use tax are the same here as at the DMV; our service fee is quoted before we start.
Ramos Auto Registration Services · 332 E Norris Rd, Ste 3, Bakersfield · Licensed DMV business partner, not a DMV office
Frequently asked questions
What happens if I don't transfer the title within 10 days?
Transfer penalties and registration penalties begin accruing on top of the normal fees, and the vehicle remains in the seller's name on the DMV record. The transfer still works the same way later; it just costs more.
Does the buyer or the seller pay for the smog check?
In California the seller is responsible for providing a valid smog certification to the buyer, unless the vehicle is less than four model years old, in which case the buyer pays a smog transfer fee instead of an inspection.
Can I drive the car before the title is transferred?
The vehicle must be currently registered and insured to be driven, regardless of whose name it's in. If registration is expired, handle that with the transfer rather than driving on expired tags.