Download California Vehicle Bill of Sale Templates [PDF]

A California vehicle bill of sale is a legal document that provides all the details relevant to the sale and purchase of a specific vehicle.

The California vehicle bill of sale includes information about the buyer and seller, a description of the vehicle, the purchase price, seller and buyer disclosures, and other terms and conditions relevant to the sale and purchase of the vehicle.

The California vehicle bill of sale is also known as:

Other Names for California Vehicle Bill of Sale

California motor vehicle bill of sale
Auto bill of sale
Form REG 135
Automobile bill of sale
Car contract

Other Types of California Vehicle Bill of Sale

Here, you can find other types of vehicle bill of sale documents used in California.

California Boat Bill of Sale Requirements & Forms

In California, all sailboats over eight feet and all motorized boats must be registered. To do it, the owner must submit the application to the nearest office of the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Besides the application, the new owner should submit the following documents:

Boat Bill of Sale Documents

Bill of sale
Application for Vessel Certificate of Number Form
California Certificate of Ownership or an Out-of-State Title
Statement of Facts Form
Hull Identification Number

California Motorcycle Bill of Sale Requirements & Forms

The California motorcycle bill of sale is often used as a suplementary document in the titling and registration process in case the certificate of title doesn’t include all the necessary details.

Although the motorcycle bill of sale is not required in California, it can be used as proof of ownership next to the title and prevent potential disputes between the seller and the buyer after the sale.

California Trailer Bill of Sale Requirements & Forms

To register a trailer in California, the new owner must have the bill of sale. After purchasing the trailer, the owner should apply for a trailer registration at the California Department of Motor Vehicles.

The seller must register the transfer of ownership within 5 days, and the buyer must register the trailer and the transfer of ownership within 10 days after the transaction.

Legal Requirements for California Vehicle Bill of Sale

Here’s the main legal framework that regulates the vehicle bill of sale form in California.

Legal Requirements

Is the printable vehicle bill of sale required for the sale or purchase of the vehicle? The printable vehicle bill of sale is not required in California. However, many people choose to create one as an additional layer of security for their transactions.
Does the state offer a vehicle bill of sale template? Yes, the California DMV provided a vehicle bill of sale template. However, California DMV will also accept any other form of vehicle bill of sale as long as it provides all the necessary information.
Is notarization required? No, notarization is not required for the California vehicle bill of sale document.

Where and How to Register Your Vehicle in California

To register a vehicle in California, you should apply at the local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office in person or by sending your documents via mail.

For the registration renewal, you can complete the application in person at the DMV office or online.

Required Documents

When registering your vehicle in California, you should submit the following documents:

Vehicle Registration Mandatory Documents

Application for Title or Registration
Signed Certificate of Title
Bill of Sale
Statement of Facts (Form REG 256)
Valid California Driver’s License
Smog and Emissions Inspection from an accredited station
Release of Liability (Form REG 138)
Proof of Insurance with minimum requirements:
- $5,000 for property damage
- $15,000 for injury/death of one person
- $30,000 for injury/death of more than one person
Proof of paid registration fees

California Vehicle Bill of Sale FAQ

To draft a bill of sale for a car in California, you should provide the following details:
Full names and mailing addresses of the seller and the buyer
Vehicle description
Purchase price and method of payment
Other terms and conditions of the vehicle transfer
You need a bill of sale to register a car in California only if the seller is not the person named in the vehicle title. In that case, the buyer will have to provide a bill of sale with the signatures of both the seller and the person named in the vehicle title.
No, you cannot register a car with a bill of sale and no title in California since the bill of sale itself doesn’t transfer any legal rights and cannot be used for vehicle registration alone.
No, you don’t need to notarize a bill of sale for a car in California.