California · Standard edition

California Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale Template

Create a free California motor vehicle bill of sale online for a private car or motorcycle sale. The one-page bill of sale records the VIN, odometer, price, and date, includes an as-is disclaimer and the federal odometer disclosure, and lists the California title and registration steps for the seller and buyer.

Start your California Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale

California rules built into this template

  • Titling agency: the buyer titles and registers the vehicle through the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
  • After the sale: Seller must submit a Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability to the DMV within 5 days (Cal. Veh. Code § 5900) and, for most vehicles, provide a valid smog certification.
  • Odometer: federal law requires an odometer disclosure on the title for most vehicles of model year 2011 or newer until they are 20 years old (49 U.S.C. § 32705).

What the Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale includes

  1. Sale, Payment, and Title
  2. As-Is Disclaimer
  3. Odometer Disclosure
  4. Title and Registration
  5. Governing Law
  6. Important Acknowledgment

Frequently asked questions

What does a seller need to do after selling a car in California?
Seller must submit a Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability to the DMV within 5 days (Cal. Veh. Code § 5900) and, for most vehicles, provide a valid smog certification. The seller should sign the title over to the buyer and keep a copy of the bill of sale.
Is a bill of sale enough to transfer a car?
No. Ownership of a titled vehicle transfers by signing the certificate of title over to the buyer, who then titles and registers it. A bill of sale records the price, date, condition, and as-is terms.

Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale templates for other states

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Start your California Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale