What a California bill of sale is and when you need one

A bill of sale is a written record that you sold a vehicle to someone else. In California, you do not legally have to use an official DMV form to sell a car — any written agreement that shows the seller, buyer, vehicle details, sale price, and date will work. However, the California DMV provides a standard form called the REG 135, which both the seller and buyer can use to protect themselves and to show the Department of Motor Vehicles that the sale happened.

You need a bill of sale when you are selling a car, truck, motorcycle, or other vehicle to another person. The seller uses it to prove they no longer own the vehicle. The buyer uses it as proof of purchase and to show the DMV when they register the car in their name. If you are trading in a vehicle at a dealership, the dealership handles the paperwork — you do not need to create your own bill of sale.

Even though California does not require a bill of sale by law, having one protects you. If a buyer later gets into an accident or racks up parking tickets before they register the vehicle, a bill of sale shows the DMV that you transferred ownership on a specific date. Without one, you could be held responsible for violations that happened after you sold the car.

Key Takeaways

  • The California DMV form REG 135 is the standard bill of sale, but any written document showing the seller, buyer, vehicle identification number, sale price, and date is legally acceptable.
  • Both the seller and buyer should sign and keep a copy of the bill of sale to protect themselves if disputes or liability questions arise later.
  • The seller should submit the Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability (REG 138) to the DMV within five days of the sale to avoid future responsibility for the vehicle.
  • The buyer must bring the bill of sale to the DMV or a DMV-authorized office when registering the vehicle in their name.

How to get the California DMV bill of sale form

The official form is the REG 135, titled "Bill of Sale." You can read it from the California DMV website at dmv.ca.gov. Search for "REG 135" in the forms section, and you will find a PDF you can print and fill out by hand, or fill out on your computer and then print.

You can also pick up a printed copy at any DMV office or at an authorized DMV service provider in your county. Some vehicle registration services, title companies, and AAA offices in California stock the form. If you are selling a vehicle privately, you do not have to use the DMV form — you can write your own bill of sale on plain paper as long as it includes all required information.

What information goes on the bill of sale

The REG 135 form has spaces for the seller's name, address, and signature; the buyer's name, address, and signature; the vehicle identification number (VIN); the make, model, and year of the vehicle; the odometer reading; the sale price; and the date of sale. Both the seller and the buyer must sign and date the form.

If you are writing your own bill of sale instead of using the DMV form, include all of this same information. Write clearly so there is no confusion about names, the VIN, or the sale price. If the vehicle has a lien (meaning a bank or lender still owns part of it), note that on the bill of sale. The buyer should know before they purchase whether the seller still owes money on the car.

Do not leave blank spaces on the form. If a field does not explore — for example, if there is no lien — write "none" or "N/A" so it is clear the information was not forgotten. This prevents someone from filling in details later without your knowledge.

How many copies you need and who keeps them

Make at least three copies of the completed bill of sale: one for the seller, one for the buyer, and one to submit with the Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability. Both the seller and buyer should sign all copies so each person has a fully signed version.

The seller keeps one signed copy for their records. The buyer keeps one signed copy to bring to the DMV when they register the vehicle. The seller also files a third copy along with the REG 138 (Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability) when they submit it to the DMV. This protects the seller by officially notifying the state that they no longer own the vehicle.

What the seller must do after the sale

Within five days of selling the vehicle, the seller must submit the REG 138 (Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability) to the DMV. This form tells the state that you sold the car and are no longer responsible for it. You can submit it online through the DMV website, by mail, or in person at a DMV office. Submitting it on time protects you from liability if the buyer gets into an accident, receives a traffic ticket, or fails to register the vehicle.

Include a copy of the bill of sale with the REG 138. The DMV uses both documents together to update their records and release you from ownership. If you do not submit the REG 138 and the buyer does not register the car right away, you could receive notices about unpaid registration fees or violations tied to that vehicle.

Keep a copy of the REG 138 receipt or confirmation for your records. If you submitted it online, print the confirmation page. If you mailed it, keep the postmark or tracking number as proof you sent it within the five-day window.

What the buyer must do with the bill of sale

The buyer must bring the signed bill of sale to the DMV or an authorized DMV service provider when they register the vehicle in their name. The bill of sale serves as proof of purchase. The buyer will also need the vehicle's title (if it exists), proof of California residency, proof of identity, and payment for registration and title fees.

The buyer should register the vehicle as soon as possible after purchase. California law requires registration within 20 days of purchase. If the buyer delays and the seller has not yet filed the REG 138, the seller could still be held liable for violations or unpaid fees during that gap.

Private sale versus dealership transactions

When you buy or sell a vehicle from a private person (not a dealership), you handle the bill of sale yourself. The seller and buyer meet, agree on a price, and both sign the bill of sale. The buyer then takes it to the DMV to register the car.

When you buy from or sell to a dealership, the dealership prepares all paperwork, including the bill of sale and title transfer. You do not need to create your own form. The dealership submits everything to the DMV on your behalf, so the process is faster and more streamlined. However, if you are selling a car to a private buyer, you are responsible for creating and signing the bill of sale.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sell a car without a bill of sale in California?

California does not legally require a bill of sale, so technically you can sell without one. However, doing so leaves both you and the buyer unprotected. Without a bill of sale, you have no proof you sold the vehicle, and the buyer has no proof of purchase. The seller remains at risk for liability if the buyer does not register the car when ready.

What if the buyer does not register the car right away?

If the buyer delays registration and you have not filed the REG 138, you could receive notices about unpaid registration fees or violations. This is why submitting the Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability within five days is critical — it officially removes you from ownership in the DMV system, regardless of when the buyer registers.

Do I need a bill of sale if I am selling a car with a lien on it?

Yes, and you must note on the bill of sale that the vehicle has a lien. The buyer should know the car is not fully paid off. The lender must release the lien before the buyer can register the vehicle in their name, so the buyer will need to work with both you and the lender to complete the sale.

Can I handwrite the bill of sale instead of printing the DMV form?

Yes. A handwritten bill of sale is legally acceptable in California as long as it includes the seller's name and signature, the buyer's name and signature, the VIN, the vehicle make and model, the sale price, and the date. Write clearly so all information is legible and there is no room for misunderstanding.

What happens if I lose my copy of the bill of sale?

If you need a copy later, you can request records from the DMV. The DMV keeps a record of the transfer when the buyer registers the vehicle. You can also ask the buyer for a copy of their signed bill of sale. For future protection, photograph or scan your signed copy and store it digitally.