VSD 190 is the form you file when you buy, sell, or transfer ownership of a vehicle in California

The process for Vehicle Transactions (VSD 190) is California's official form for reporting changes in vehicle ownership to the Department of Motor Vehicles. You use it when you purchase a vehicle, sell one, transfer it to another person, or change the registered owner's name. The form tells the DMV who owns the vehicle and updates their records so registration, insurance, and liability follow the correct person.

You do not file VSD 190 yourself in most cases — the seller, dealer, or lienholder (like a bank) typically submits it on your behalf within a set timeframe. However, understanding what it is, when it gets filed, and what happens if it is not submitted on time protects you from liability for accidents or tickets that occur after you sell a vehicle or from registration problems after you buy one.

Key Takeaways

  • VSD 190 must be filed within 10 days of a vehicle sale or transfer in California, or the seller remains liable for accidents and violations involving that vehicle.
  • Dealers file VSD 190 automatically when you buy from them, but private sellers and you (as the buyer) are responsible for ensuring it gets filed if you buy privately.
  • If you sell a vehicle and the buyer does not register it, you can file VSD 190 yourself to remove your name from liability, but you need the buyer's information to do so.
  • The form is free and available from the DMV website, by mail, or in person at any DMV office.
  • Filing VSD 190 late or not at all can leave you responsible for parking tickets, traffic violations, and accident liability on a vehicle you no longer own.

When the seller files VSD 190 and what they must do

If you are selling a vehicle, California law requires you to file VSD 190 within 10 days of the sale. This form notifies the DMV that you no longer own the vehicle and transfers liability to the new owner. The form must include the buyer's name, address, and driver's license number, along with the vehicle identification number (VIN), odometer reading, and sale date.

Many sellers use a dealer or broker to handle the transaction, and those businesses file VSD 190 as part of their standard process. If you are selling privately, you are responsible for filing it yourself. You can submit the form by mail to the DMV address listed on the form, in person at a DMV office, or through the DMV's online portal if you have a California driver's license. Proof of filing protects you: keep a copy or receipt showing the DMV received it.

If you do not file within 10 days, you remain the registered owner in the DMV's system. Any parking tickets, traffic citations, or accidents involving that vehicle will be sent to you, and you may be held liable even though you no longer own it. This is one of the most common sources of disputes between buyers and sellers.

When the buyer needs to may support VSD 190 is filed

If you are buying a vehicle from a private seller, you should confirm that they file VSD 190 within 10 days. Ask them for proof of filing — a receipt or confirmation number from the DMV. If the seller does not file, contact the DMV yourself and ask whether the transfer has been recorded. If it has not, you can file VSD 190 yourself using the seller's information, though this is less common.

When you buy from a dealer, they handle VSD 190 filing as part of the sale. Your responsibility is to register the vehicle in your name with the DMV within 30 days of purchase. Registration is separate from the ownership transfer form — VSD 190 notifies the DMV of the change, and registration puts your name on the title and plates.

During the gap between purchase and registration, the vehicle is technically still registered to the seller in the DMV system, even though you own it. This is why filing VSD 190 quickly matters: it closes that gap and protects both you and the seller from liability for violations or accidents during that period.

What information you need to complete VSD 190

To file VSD 190, you need the vehicle's VIN, the current odometer reading, the sale date, and the buyer's or seller's full name and address (depending on whether you are buying or selling). If the vehicle has a lienholder — a bank or finance company that holds the title until the loan is paid off — their information must also be included.

The form itself is straightforward and takes about 10 minutes to complete. You can get it from the California DMV website (dmv.ca.gov), request it by mail, or pick one up at any DMV office. There is no fee to file VSD 190. If you are filing online through the DMV portal, you will need a California driver's license or ID number and may need to verify your identity.

What happens if VSD 190 is not filed on time

If the seller does not file VSD 190 within 10 days, the DMV still shows them as the registered owner. Any traffic tickets, parking citations, or accident reports involving the vehicle will be mailed to the seller's address. The seller can be held liable for violations they did not commit and may face difficulty proving they no longer own the vehicle.

For the buyer, a delayed or missing VSD 190 filing means the vehicle may not be properly registered in their name, which can cause problems with insurance, renewal notices, and proof of ownership. Some insurance companies will not cover a vehicle if the registration does not match the owner's name.

If you discover that VSD 190 was not filed, contact the DMV when ready. You can file it yourself if you have the other party's information, or ask the DMV for guidance on how to correct the record. The DMV can sometimes backdate the filing if there is evidence the sale occurred within the 10-day window.

How to file VSD 190 online, by mail, or in person

The fastest way to file VSD 190 is online through the California DMV's website if you have a valid California driver's license or ID. Log into your DMV account, select the vehicle transaction option, and follow the prompts. Online filing typically takes a few minutes, and you will receive a confirmation number when ready.

If you prefer to file by mail, print the VSD 190 form from the DMV website, complete it in black or blue ink, and mail it to the address listed on the form. Include a copy of the bill of sale or purchase agreement if possible. Mail filing takes one to two weeks for the DMV to process and update their records.

You can also file in person at any California DMV office. Bring the completed form, your driver's license, and the bill of sale. In-person filing is processed the same day in most cases. There is no fee, and you will receive a receipt showing the DMV received your form.

Protecting yourself as a buyer or seller

As a seller, keep a copy of the signed bill of sale and proof that you filed VSD 190. If a ticket or accident report arrives after you have sold the vehicle, you can show the DMV the filing receipt and the bill of sale to prove the vehicle was no longer yours on that date. This documentation is your protection against liability.

As a buyer, do not assume the seller will file VSD 190. Ask them directly, get their contact information, and follow up after 10 days to confirm the filing was completed. If the seller is unresponsive or refuses to file, you can file the form yourself or contact the DMV for guidance. Do not register the vehicle in your name until you are confident the ownership transfer has been recorded.

If you are buying from a dealer, this is less of a concern because dealers are required by law to file VSD 190 and face penalties if they do not. However, you should still register the vehicle promptly in your name to may support your insurance and registration are aligned.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between VSD 190 and vehicle registration?

VSD 190 notifies the DMV that ownership has changed; registration puts your name on the title and plates. You file VSD 190 first to transfer ownership, then register the vehicle in your name within 30 days. Both are required, but they are separate steps.

Can I file VSD 190 if I do not have the buyer's or seller's driver's license number?

The form requests a driver's license number, but if you do not have it, you can use the person's full name and address instead. Contact the DMV if you are unsure whether your information is complete enough to process the form.

What if I sold a vehicle and never received proof that VSD 190 was filed?

Contact the DMV and ask them to search their records using the vehicle's VIN and the sale date. If the filing is not recorded, you can file VSD 190 yourself using the buyer's information if you have it, or ask the DMV how to formally remove yourself from liability. Keep documentation of your inquiry.

Do I need to file VSD 190 if I am transferring a vehicle to a family member?

Yes. Any change in registered ownership, including transfers between family members, requires VSD 190. The process is the same as a sale, though you may not exchange money. The form must still be filed within 10 days.

Is there a fee to file VSD 190?

No. Filing VSD 190 is free. The DMV charges fees for registration, title transfers, and other services, but the VSD 190 form itself has no filing fee.