What the Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability does

California's Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability (Form REG 138) is a document you file with the DMV to remove yourself from responsibility for a vehicle after you sell it. Once the DMV receives and processes it, you are no longer liable for parking tickets, traffic violations, accidents, or registration fees tied to that car — even if the new owner never registers it in their name.

This form protects you from being held responsible for what happens to the vehicle after the sale. Without it, the DMV's records still show you as the registered owner, and citations or violations can follow you for years.

Key Takeaways

  • You must file the Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability within 5 days of selling your vehicle, or you remain liable for violations and fees.
  • The form can be filed online through the California DMV website, by mail, or in person at a DMV office.
  • You need the buyer's name and address, the vehicle identification number (VIN), the odometer reading, and the sale date to complete the form.
  • If you sell to a private party, you should also give them a signed pink slip (title) and keep a copy of the bill of sale for your records.
  • Filing does not transfer ownership — it only notifies the DMV that you are no longer the owner and should not be held liable for the vehicle.

When you must file and what happens if you don't

California law requires you to file the Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability within 5 days of the sale. This important date is strict, and missing it creates real consequences. If you do not file and the new owner gets a parking ticket, a red-light camera citation, or is involved in an accident, you can be held liable even though you no longer own the car.

The DMV will continue to send registration renewal notices to you, not the new owner. If the new owner never registers the vehicle and it accumulates unpaid parking violations or toll violations, those debts can attach to your driving record and credit. You may also receive collection notices or have your vehicle registration suspended for violations you did not commit.

Filing within 5 days protects you from this liability. The DMV uses the filing date, not the sale date, so file as soon as possible after the transaction closes.

How to file online, by mail, or in person

The fastest way to file is through the California DMV's online system. Go to dmv.ca.gov, select "Register a Vehicle," then choose "Report a Sale of a Vehicle." You will need your driver's license number, the vehicle's VIN, and the buyer's information. The online filing is processed when ready, and you receive a confirmation number.

If you prefer to file by mail, read Form REG 138 from the DMV website or pick one up at a DMV office. Fill it out completely, sign it, and mail it to the address listed on the form. Mail filing typically takes 2 to 3 weeks to process. Keep a copy for your records.

You can also file in person at any DMV office. Bring your driver's license, the completed Form REG 138, and the vehicle's pink slip (title) if you have it. In-person filing is processed on the spot, and you receive a receipt when ready.

What information you need to complete the form

Before you file, gather the following details: your name and driver's license number, the buyer's full name and address, the vehicle's VIN (found on the title and dashboard), the odometer reading at the time of sale, the date of sale, and the sale price (optional but helpful). If you sold to a dealer, have the dealer's name and address instead of a private buyer's.

If you are filing online, the DMV system will prompt you for each piece of information. If you are filing by mail or in person, the form has clear sections for each item. Double-check the VIN and buyer's address — errors can delay processing or cause the form to be rejected.

You do not need to include a copy of the bill of sale or title with the form, but you should keep those documents for yourself. They prove you sold the vehicle and when.

The difference between filing the notice and transferring the title

The Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability and the title transfer are two separate steps. Filing the notice tells the DMV you are no longer responsible for the vehicle. Transferring the title tells the DMV who the new owner is. Both must happen for the transaction to be complete.

When you sell to a private buyer, the buyer must take the signed pink slip (title) to the DMV and register the vehicle in their name. You file the Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability to protect yourself. When you sell to a dealer, the dealer handles both the title transfer and the liability notice, so you only need to sign the title.

If the buyer does not transfer the title into their name, the vehicle remains registered to you on the DMV's records. Filing the liability notice does not change that — it only tells the DMV you are not responsible for violations or fees. The buyer still needs to complete their own registration to legally own and drive the car.

What to do if you sold the vehicle but did not file within 5 days

If you missed the 5-day important date, file the Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability when ready. The form does not ask for the important date date, only the sale date. File it now, even if weeks or months have passed. The filing will not undo liability for violations that occurred before you filed, but it will stop new violations from being assigned to you going forward.

If you have already received a citation or violation notice for something the new owner did, contact the DMV or the issuing agency with a copy of the filed Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability and proof of the sale (bill of sale or title). Explain that you sold the vehicle and filed the liability notice. Many agencies will dismiss the citation or transfer it to the new owner if you can prove the sale date and filing date.

If you cannot locate the buyer or do not have their information, file the form with whatever details you have. The DMV will process it based on the VIN and sale date. You can also contact the DMV directly to report the sale and ask for guidance on your specific situation.

Keeping records and protecting yourself after the sale

After you file the Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability, keep a copy of the confirmation (online filing) or receipt (in-person filing) for at least three to five years. This is your proof that you notified the DMV of the sale. If a violation or debt later appears on your record, you can show this document to dispute it.

Also keep the bill of sale and any text messages or emails with the buyer that show the sale date and price. If the buyer later claims they never received the vehicle or disputes the sale, these documents protect you. Take photos of the vehicle's odometer and condition before the buyer takes it, and note any damage or mechanical issues in writing.

If you sold the vehicle privately and the buyer has not registered it after several weeks, you can contact them to remind them. If they do not respond or register the vehicle, you still have the liability notice on file, which limits your exposure. However, you may want to follow up with the DMV to confirm the filing was processed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I file the Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability if I sold the car more than 5 days ago?

Yes. The form does not have an expiration date, and the DMV will process it whenever you file. However, you may be liable for violations that occurred between the sale date and the filing date. File when ready to stop new violations from being assigned to you.

What if I sold the car to a dealer — do I still need to file the notice?

No. Dealers handle the Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability as part of their purchase process. You only need to sign the title. However, confirm with the dealer that they will file it, and keep a copy of the signed title for your records.

Do I need the buyer's phone number or email to file the form?

No. The form requires the buyer's name and mailing address only. You do not need their phone number or email. If you do not have their address, use the address where they said they would register the vehicle.

What happens if the buyer never registers the vehicle in their name?

The vehicle remains registered to you on the DMV's records, but the filed Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability protects you from liability for violations and fees. The buyer is still responsible for registering it. If violations pile up, contact the DMV with a copy of your filed notice to dispute them.

Can I file the notice online if I sold the car to someone out of state?

Yes. The form does not restrict where the buyer lives. File online or by mail with the buyer's out-of-state address. The buyer will need to register the vehicle in their own state, not California, so they will not use California's title.