how to sell a car in Cali
December 6, 2009 8:03 PM Subscribe
Have you sold a vehicle privately in California? Can you tell me what paperwork is required?
We are selling our van, registered in NC, here in California.
We know about the smog test and plan to get one tomorrow.
I'm just trying to figure out what other paperwork is required. Have looked on the California DMV site but I'm so confused and would love to have it explained to me by a human if possible.
If you have been through this, would you kindly explain the process?
Other than the smog test, are there special considerations for selling an out of state vehicle?
Many many thanks.
We are selling our van, registered in NC, here in California.
We know about the smog test and plan to get one tomorrow.
I'm just trying to figure out what other paperwork is required. Have looked on the California DMV site but I'm so confused and would love to have it explained to me by a human if possible.
If you have been through this, would you kindly explain the process?
Other than the smog test, are there special considerations for selling an out of state vehicle?
Many many thanks.
I did the paperwork for my boss's car sale, but it was registered in California and I suspect the paperwork would be different--much of the website seems to specify "if you are selling a vehicle registered in California." BUT, I did call the DMV a few times in the process, and once I finally got someone on the line (there were longish wait times), they were fairly helpful.
posted by needs more cowbell at 8:43 PM on December 6, 2009
posted by needs more cowbell at 8:43 PM on December 6, 2009
I sold a CA vehicle to another CA driver in CA; we did all the required paperwork at the local AAA (where we were both members, it turns out; if you or your buyer are you can do the same thing). This way I could be sure that everything on the buyer's end got properly submitted (so I know I won't be getting their parking tickets sent to me, for example).
There's also a notice of release and transfer of liability for accomplishing that; see here. Also from that page you'll find links to the CA dmv's list of things you have to do when selling a vehicle; I think that bullet point list is probably the best description on the dmv website.
posted by nat at 8:49 PM on December 6, 2009
There's also a notice of release and transfer of liability for accomplishing that; see here. Also from that page you'll find links to the CA dmv's list of things you have to do when selling a vehicle; I think that bullet point list is probably the best description on the dmv website.
posted by nat at 8:49 PM on December 6, 2009
Best answer: I recently sold a car registered in NY in California. The requirements vary a bit depending on the age and type of your car and what kind of party you're selling it to, but here's what I can tell you:
You will, no matter what, need the car's title and current registration papers. If there is a lien listed on your car's title, you will need a notarized lien-holder's release.
You will need a DMV form: if your car is over 10 years old or there is an odometer disclosure area you can fill out and sign on your car's title, you can use a bill of sale form, which you can print out at home. If your car is newer or does not have an odometer section, you must use the Vehicle/Vessel Transfer and Reassignment Form (REG 262), which you have to pick up at a DMV office because it's printed on some special paper.
You need to provide a smog certificate (valid for 90 days after the test) if you're selling to a private party. If you're selling to a dealership, they may not require this (they often buy cars expecting that they'll need some work), and you should contact the dealer to find out if they require any special additional paperwork. You also do NOT need to provide a smog certificate if your car is less than 4 model years old, hybrid, diesel, or from 1975 or earlier.
I think you will also need to send your license plates back to the NC Division of Motor Vehicles after the sale is complete.
Good luck!
posted by unsub at 8:59 PM on December 6, 2009
You will, no matter what, need the car's title and current registration papers. If there is a lien listed on your car's title, you will need a notarized lien-holder's release.
You will need a DMV form: if your car is over 10 years old or there is an odometer disclosure area you can fill out and sign on your car's title, you can use a bill of sale form, which you can print out at home. If your car is newer or does not have an odometer section, you must use the Vehicle/Vessel Transfer and Reassignment Form (REG 262), which you have to pick up at a DMV office because it's printed on some special paper.
You need to provide a smog certificate (valid for 90 days after the test) if you're selling to a private party. If you're selling to a dealership, they may not require this (they often buy cars expecting that they'll need some work), and you should contact the dealer to find out if they require any special additional paperwork. You also do NOT need to provide a smog certificate if your car is less than 4 model years old, hybrid, diesel, or from 1975 or earlier.
I think you will also need to send your license plates back to the NC Division of Motor Vehicles after the sale is complete.
Good luck!
posted by unsub at 8:59 PM on December 6, 2009
Response by poster: thanks toxic. thanks for that link to the bill of sale. our van is '97 so no need for odometer disclosure.
and thanks nat. so, presumably I will have to send a notice of release and transfer of liability to the NC dmv, right?
posted by beccyjoe at 9:00 PM on December 6, 2009
and thanks nat. so, presumably I will have to send a notice of release and transfer of liability to the NC dmv, right?
posted by beccyjoe at 9:00 PM on December 6, 2009
I live in CA and recently bought a car that was last registered in Michigan.
In addition to the title paperwork, we had to bring the car to the DMV for an in-person odometer and VIN verification.
posted by twblalock at 10:38 PM on December 6, 2009
In addition to the title paperwork, we had to bring the car to the DMV for an in-person odometer and VIN verification.
posted by twblalock at 10:38 PM on December 6, 2009
I don't know anything about the NC dmv, but I think it's probably worth a quick look around their website to make sure. Likely when, as unsub says, you send your plates back to NC, that will cover you. But that's totally a guess on my part.
posted by nat at 4:57 AM on December 7, 2009
posted by nat at 4:57 AM on December 7, 2009
presumably I will have to send a notice of release and transfer of liability to the NC dmv
Yes, you will need to officially notify NC that you no longer own the car. It appears from their website that to do this in NC, you will need to surrender the license plates to the NC DMV.
Be aware that this is different from what is normal in California. In California, the license plates go with the CAR, so the new owner, signed title in hand, usually drives away with your (now his) California plates still on the car (and you mail a release of liability form to DMV saying that the plates are no longer yours). Since your state requires you to take the plates off, the buyer is not going to be able to just drive the car away. S/he is going to need to go to DMV, paperwork in hand, and start the retitling and registration process (which as was mentioned above, will involve a DMV or CHP employee taking a look at the car to verify that the VIN, make, model and year of the car matches the paperwork). If you feel generous, you can bring the car to DMV with the buyer (using your old plates), and this can all take place at once. The new buyer will often walk out the door with a set of plates (or a red Temporary Permit, which will be valid until their plates arrive in the mail).
If you're not feeling generous, your buyer will need to go to DMV with the paperwork, and start the re-registration process before they can move the vehicle. They'll be given a red Temporary Operating Permit to legally put the car on the road for 4-6 weeks (it works like a temporary plate, but it goes in the rear window), but they'll then need to take the car to DMV or CHP to get the VIN inspection done before they can get their real plates.
I wouldn't hesitate to buy an out of state vehicle in California, but some buyers might (because of the extra steps, and because in the past it was a big pain in the neck (and cost an extra $300) to re-title an out of state car in California -- it's not so bad anymore, but some people have long memories). It might be worth your time to find out how much it would cost you to re-register it CA before selling it, especially if it doesn't sell quickly after you advertise it for the first time.
posted by toxic at 5:45 PM on December 7, 2009
Yes, you will need to officially notify NC that you no longer own the car. It appears from their website that to do this in NC, you will need to surrender the license plates to the NC DMV.
Be aware that this is different from what is normal in California. In California, the license plates go with the CAR, so the new owner, signed title in hand, usually drives away with your (now his) California plates still on the car (and you mail a release of liability form to DMV saying that the plates are no longer yours). Since your state requires you to take the plates off, the buyer is not going to be able to just drive the car away. S/he is going to need to go to DMV, paperwork in hand, and start the retitling and registration process (which as was mentioned above, will involve a DMV or CHP employee taking a look at the car to verify that the VIN, make, model and year of the car matches the paperwork). If you feel generous, you can bring the car to DMV with the buyer (using your old plates), and this can all take place at once. The new buyer will often walk out the door with a set of plates (or a red Temporary Permit, which will be valid until their plates arrive in the mail).
If you're not feeling generous, your buyer will need to go to DMV with the paperwork, and start the re-registration process before they can move the vehicle. They'll be given a red Temporary Operating Permit to legally put the car on the road for 4-6 weeks (it works like a temporary plate, but it goes in the rear window), but they'll then need to take the car to DMV or CHP to get the VIN inspection done before they can get their real plates.
I wouldn't hesitate to buy an out of state vehicle in California, but some buyers might (because of the extra steps, and because in the past it was a big pain in the neck (and cost an extra $300) to re-title an out of state car in California -- it's not so bad anymore, but some people have long memories). It might be worth your time to find out how much it would cost you to re-register it CA before selling it, especially if it doesn't sell quickly after you advertise it for the first time.
posted by toxic at 5:45 PM on December 7, 2009
This thread is closed to new comments.
The odometer disclosure form has to be on special paper, so you need to get a copy of REG-262, it's not a PDF that you can just pront. If you follow the directions on that page, you can get DMV to mail you one. If you need it faster, you can pick it up at any DMV. If your car is over 10 years old, or if your title has an odometer disclosure form printed on the back of it (some states do, I'm not familiar with NC), you can use REG-135 instead.
posted by toxic at 8:38 PM on December 6, 2009