This California Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale For Truck or Car is free, as are all of our bill of sale forms. The template is available for free download in both Microsoft Word and PDF. The California Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale For Truck or Car documents the transfer of ownership of a used car from one party to another, namely from the Seller to the Buyer. Be sure to check the requirements of your local motor vehicle office. Some states require that the bill of sale be notarized.

If you purchase a used car from a private party (not a dealer), the transactions is known as a private party purchase. You have 10 days after purchasing the car to transfer ownership from the seller to yourself. Sellers have 5 days after the sale to report the transfer of ownership to the CA DMV.

Example of California Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale For Truck or Car Form

Registering a Motor Vehicle in California

To register a used motor vehicle in the state of California you will need the following documentation:

• Title or REG 343, Application for Title or Registration/Verification of Vehicle
• California Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale For Truck or Car
• The title should include the current odometer reading. If not then you must complete the Odometer Disclosure Statement
• If the previous owner of the motor vehicle did not renew the smog certificate within the last 90 days and the vehicle is less than 10 years old, you will need to provide a smog certificate if required by the municipality in which you reside
• Valid form of Identification
• Proof of auto insurance
• California Form REG 227 may be required for the current owner if he or she doesn’t have the current title.
• REG 256, Statement of Facts (ca.gov) may be needed if you wish to claim exemption from the Smog Tax or Use Tax.

To claim ownership of a motor vehicle in California

To take over ownership of a used motor vehicle in the state of California, you will need:

• The vehicle’s title signed by the current owner. If the title has been lost, stolen, or damaged, complete an Application for Replacement or Transfer of Title (REG 227) form.
• If the seller of the car is not the owner whose name is on the title, you will need a Bill of Sale signed by both the seller and the person whose name is on the title.
• A record of the odometer mileage (if the vehicle is less than 10 years old).
  • If the title does not have a line where you can write the mileage information, complete a Vehicle/ Vessel Transfer and Reassignment (REG 262) form. Make sure both the buyer and seller sign the form.
• A smog certification.
• Applicable fees and a use tax.

Where to Register a Motor Vehicle in California

In California, motor vehicles can be registered in person at the closest California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) field office or any of the approved partner locations. You may also send the documents by mail.

Printable California Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale For Truck or Car Forms

Choose the appropriate link to download the California Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale For Truck or Car in either Microsoft Word or fillable PDF. Both versions are free.

Printable Microsoft Word

Printable California Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale For Truck or Car Word

Printable PDF

Printable California Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale For Truck or Car PDF

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We are required to include the following legal disclaimers:

This California Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale For Truck or Car was created by a skilled and seasoned businessman, not an attorney or law firm. Most states do not have specific requirements for a bill of sale unless it involves the sale of a motor vehicle, boat, or other property that requires a title issued by the state in which the buyer lives.

We highly recommend having the California Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale For Truck or Car notarized if it involves a high-priced item and especially if you are not familiar with the buyer. The notary will confirm the identity of both parties so both you and the buyer are more confident concluding the sale.

The bill of sale forms and templates available for free on this site are offered “as is” with no conveyed or expressed warranties of any sort of kind. This includes, but is not fixed to, warranty of fitness for any kind of particular usage or warranty of merchantability. It is your liability to ensure that the bill of sale is legally adequate for your requirements.

By downloading and using any bill of sale or other legal form offered on our website, you assume all liabilities and risks for use of the document. We do not assume any legal responsibility or liability for the accuracy or effectiveness of the legal forms. We will not be accountable for damages or compensation, whether direct, indirect, or incidental, arising from the loss of usage or revenue occurring out of or in connection with the use or execution of any legal form or form template offered on this website.

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