What a California DMV Notice of Transfer is and why you get one

A Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability (Form REG 138) is a document the California Department of Motor Vehicles sends to the previous owner of a vehicle after the new owner registers it. The form confirms that you have transferred ownership and released your legal responsibility for the vehicle going forward. You receive it automatically — you do not request it.

The notice serves as your proof that you are no longer liable for parking tickets, traffic violations, accidents, or other issues involving that vehicle once the new owner takes over. Without this document in your records, you could theoretically be held responsible for violations that occur after you sold the car.

California law requires the DMV to send this notice to the address on file for the seller. It typically arrives within two to four weeks after the buyer completes registration, though timing varies depending on processing delays at your local DMV office.

Key Takeaways

  • The Notice of Transfer is sent automatically by the California DMV to the previous owner after a new owner registers the vehicle.
  • This document protects you from liability for violations, tickets, or accidents that happen after you sell the car.
  • You should keep the notice in a safe place for at least three to five years as proof of the transfer date.
  • If you do not receive the notice within a month, contact the DMV to confirm the transfer was processed correctly.
  • Selling a vehicle privately requires you to notify the DMV of the sale within five days, even if the buyer has not yet registered it.

When you receive the Notice of Transfer and what it looks like

The DMV mails the Notice of Transfer to the seller's address on file after the new owner completes registration. The form is labeled REG 138 and includes the vehicle identification number (VIN), the date of transfer, and the names of both the previous and new owners. The notice is typically one page and arrives in a standard business envelope.

Timing depends on how quickly the new owner registers the vehicle and how quickly the DMV processes the paperwork. If the buyer registers within a few days of purchase, you may receive the notice within two weeks. If there is a delay in registration, the notice may take longer. Some buyers delay registration, which means the notice may not arrive for several months.

If you do not receive the notice within 30 days of selling the vehicle, you should contact your local DMV office or call 1-800-777-0133 to verify that the transfer was recorded. Ask for confirmation that the new owner's registration was processed and that your liability release is on file.

Why you need to keep this document

The Notice of Transfer is your legal proof that you no longer own the vehicle and are not responsible for what happens to it after the sale. If the new owner gets a parking ticket, is involved in an accident, or violates traffic laws, you cannot be held liable if you have this document showing the transfer date.

Without the notice, the DMV or law enforcement could theoretically contact you about violations that occurred after you sold the car. You would then have to prove the sale date through other means — a bill of sale, bank records, or registration documents — which takes time and creates unnecessary complications.

Keep the Notice of Transfer in a safe place alongside your vehicle title, bill of sale, and other important documents. You should retain it for at least three to five years, though keeping it longer does not hurt. If you lose it, you can request a duplicate from the DMV, though this requires a formal request and may take several weeks.

What to do if you sold the vehicle privately

If you sold the vehicle to a private buyer rather than trading it in or selling it to a dealer, you are required by California law to notify the DMV of the sale within five days. You do this by completing and mailing a Notice of Sale form or by reporting the sale online through the DMV website.

Reporting the sale protects you by creating an official record that you no longer own the vehicle. Even if the buyer does not register the car when ready, the DMV will have documentation that you transferred ownership on a specific date. This is separate from the Notice of Transfer you receive later — the Notice of Sale is what you initiate, and the Notice of Transfer is what the DMV sends you.

If you did not report the sale within five days, you can still do so now. Contact your local DMV office or visit the DMV website to file a late report. Explain that the sale occurred and provide the buyer's name and address if you have it. The DMV will update its records and send you confirmation.

What happens if the new owner does not register the vehicle

If the buyer does not register the vehicle within a reasonable time, you may not receive a Notice of Transfer from the DMV because the transfer has not been officially processed. In this situation, you are still at risk if the vehicle is involved in violations or accidents while unregistered.

To protect yourself, follow up with the buyer and ask for proof that they have registered the vehicle. If they have not, remind them that California law requires registration within a certain timeframe. If the buyer is unresponsive or refuses to register, you can file a report with the DMV stating that you sold the vehicle and the buyer has not registered it.

You can also file a Report of Sale with the DMV if you believe the buyer will not register the vehicle. This creates an official record that you sold the car and when. The DMV will then hold the buyer responsible for any violations that occur after the sale date, not you.

Liability issues and what the notice protects you from

Once the Notice of Transfer is on file with the DMV, you are released from liability for the vehicle. This means you cannot be held responsible for parking tickets, traffic citations, accidents, or damage claims involving that vehicle after the transfer date.

However, the notice does not protect you from liability that occurred before the sale. If the vehicle was involved in an accident while you owned it and the other party files a claim, your insurance or personal assets could be at risk. This is why it is important to have adequate auto insurance while you own the vehicle and to resolve any outstanding issues before you sell it.

The notice also does not protect you if you misrepresented the vehicle's condition or history to the buyer. If you knowingly sold a vehicle with hidden damage or failed to disclose a major mechanical problem, the buyer may have legal recourse against you regardless of the transfer notice. Always be honest about the vehicle's condition when you sell it.

How to request a duplicate Notice of Transfer

If you lose the original Notice of Transfer or need an additional copy, you can request a duplicate from the California DMV. Contact your local DMV office by phone or visit in person with your driver's license and information about the vehicle (VIN, license plate, or registration number).

You can also request a copy by mail. Send a letter to the DMV with your name, address, the vehicle's VIN, and the approximate date of the sale. Include a copy of your driver's license and a self-addressed, stamped envelope. The DMV will mail you a duplicate notice, though this typically takes two to four weeks.

Some DMV offices allow you to request a duplicate online through the DMV website, though this option is not available in all counties. Check the website for your local office to see if this service is offered in your area.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I never received a Notice of Transfer?

Contact the DMV to confirm the transfer was processed. If the new owner registered the vehicle, the notice should have been sent to your address on file. If you moved, the notice may have been mailed to an old address. Call 1-800-777-0133 or visit your local DMV office to request a duplicate or to verify the transfer date.

Can I be held liable for violations that happened after I sold the car?

No, not once the Notice of Transfer is on file with the DMV. The notice proves the vehicle was transferred on a specific date, and you are not responsible for violations that occurred after that date. If you receive a ticket or citation after the sale, provide the DMV with a copy of the Notice of Transfer to show you no longer owned the vehicle.

Do I need to do anything with the Notice of Transfer after I receive it?

No action is required. straightforward keep it in a safe place with your other important documents. You do not need to file it with anyone or take it to the DMV. You only need to produce it if someone tries to hold you liable for something that happened after you sold the vehicle.

What if the buyer registered the vehicle under a different name than what I have on the bill of sale?

The Notice of Transfer will show the name used for registration. If there is a discrepancy, contact the DMV to clarify. This could indicate a problem with the registration or a name change. The DMV can help you verify that the transfer was processed correctly and that you are released from liability.

How long should I keep the Notice of Transfer?

Keep it for at least three to five years. After that, you can discard it if you wish, though there is no harm in keeping it longer. The DMV has a permanent record of the transfer, so you can always request a duplicate if needed in the future.