Do You Have To Register A Car To Sell It California

Right now the auto market is hot, with prices and demand higher than ever. Whether you're ready to upgrade your current car and buy a new one or but want to go rid of your extra car that spends likewise much time in the garage, at present is a good fourth dimension to sell a machine. If you alive in the Golden State and are selling your car on the private market equally opposed to going to a dealership, you lot want to ready ahead of time and acquire how to sell a car in California.

Step 1: Go your paperwork in order

Before selling your machine, you desire to get your paperwork in order and understand what documents y'all demand to make the sale seamless. Information technology'due south more than just the car bill of sale in California.

As the owner of the vehicle, you have the California Document of Championship, that proves the motorcar belongs to you. When you sell a vehicle, you'll need to transfer the title to the individual buying your car.

You'll demand:

Your current vehicle title
The signature of the seller and lienholder, if applicable
The buyer'southward signature
To pay a transfer fee of $fifteen

You can send your paperwork to the DMV with your payment via postal service to:

DMV
PO Box 942869
Sacramento, CA 94269

You could also terminate past your local DMV role to process everything.

If y'all don't have your title, you'll need to make full out the Application for Duplicate or Transfer of Title (REG 227). If at that place are errors in the championship, you lot tin can use form Reg 101 Statement of Error or Erasure to remedy the issue. Other documents you may need every bit part of selling your car in California can include:

The Vehicle/Vessel Transfer and Reassignment (REG 262) form, which you lot'll demand to get from the DMV every bit it's non online — you tin can call i-800-777-0133 to get it mailed to you — disclose the odometer reading on this form
Car bill of sale (California DMV form)
Statement of Facts (REG 256), if you're selling the vehicle to someone in your family unit
Lien Satisfied/Title Holder Release (REG 166), if you still take a lien on the automobile, you'll demand it signed by the lienholder to be released and the grade must exist notarized
Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability, which can be filled out online or mailed (REG 138) and notifies the DMV that you're no longer responsible for any parking violations or infractions related to the auto afterward the sale — must exist completed inside 5 days of auction
Vehicle Emission Organization Argument (REG 139) – valid smog certification must accept place within 90 days of the transfer

Step 2: Get a valid smog certification

In nigh cases, you'll need to obtain a valid smog certification in lodge to sell a car in California. You'll need to become to a STAR station, which sets the smog certification standards for California. You can use this tool to find a qualified smog check station.

The smog certification is valid inside ninety days, so yous want to make sure it lines up with the timing of the auction. There are certain situations where you lot may non demand a smog inspection. For example, if you have an electric vehicle, your auto is less than 8 years old or is from 1975 or older, you're exempt from this process.

Step 3: Get a vehicle inspection

Your potential buyer will likely want to get a vehicle inspection to make sure everything is good to go with the machine. Though the buyer pays for this process with a trusted mechanic, it's still something you lot have to coordinate with the buyer.

If the heir-apparent doesn't request an inspection, it can still be a expert affair for you to do. If nothing else, make certain you lot get a CarFax written report that shows your vehicle history, including whatever accidents and major issues.

Footstep 4: Set a price range

Learning how to sell a automobile in California is more than just paperwork. It'southward nigh selling the machine at a price that feels good for y'all. A toll that makes it okay to part with your vehicle.

As noted earlier, machine appreciation has gone up and so you want to check out a site like Kelley Blue Book to see what your car is worth these days. Information technology'south a skilful idea to accept a minimum toll and maximum price in heed so yous have a range to negotiate.

Pace 5: Post your automobile listing

After gathering your paperwork, doing an inspection, and setting a toll range information technology'due south time to mail service your car listing and go your car sold! Make sure your vehicle is clean and you take dainty photos that clearly show the exterior and inside of the car.

You lot could utilize Craigslist, OfferUp, Facebook Marketplace, AutoTrader, or whatever other site that allows y'all to sell your vehicle.

Stride half dozen: Pay for any fees related to selling your auto

You want to sell a automobile to make money but that doesn't mean you won't spend whatever money. Yous'll demand to pay any fees related to selling your auto. The California DMV website states that y'all could be on the hook for the post-obit fees:

Duplicate title
Transfer
Utilize revenue enhancement, based on the buyer's canton of residence
Registration
Penalties

As noted above, the transfer fee is $15. Yous can notice out other potential fee costs hither. All of the paperwork and fees must be paid within 10 days of the machine auction date.

Step 7: Fill out the necessary paperwork with the buyer

When you have a buyer, you lot'll need to collect payment and fill out the necessary paperwork with the buyer to brand it official.

You as the seller and the heir-apparent need to fill out form REG 262 which is the Vehicle/Vessel Transfer and Reassignment you need to go from the DMV ahead of time.

If there is a lienholder, make sure yous have the release form ready. You'll then need to remove the license plates and yous'll both need to study the transfer of ownership to the DMV.

Step viii: Submit all of your paperwork to brand it official

After filling out the necessary paperwork, you need to submit the transfer documents to the DMV. You lot can fill out the Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability online inside five days of the sale.

In guild to complete the procedure, y'all'll demand to have the seller's total proper noun and address, the VIN number, and license plate numbers. Both y'all as the seller and the buyer demand to formally submit documents and pay the required fees to make it official with the DMV.

The lesser line

Learning how to sell a car in California can exist a process but it tin exist done with a fleck of patience and persistence. Right at present, you could get the nearly out of selling your motorcar and put money back in your pocket.

If you're ready to upgrade and buy a new car or simply want to meet about other options for car insurance, bank check out pay-per-mile car insurance, a more affordable manner to protect yourself on the road. Catch a free quote to come across how much you could salvage.

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Melanie Lockert is a freelance writer, podcast host of the Mental Health and Wealth testify, and author of Dear Debt . She'due south a cat mom to two jazzy cats, Miles and Thelonious, an apprentice boxer, music lover, and needs coffee to function.