12.06.

2022, 18:56 How to Register Vehicles Purchased in Private Sales - California DMV

REGISTRATION FOR A VEHICLE

PURCHASED FROM A PRIVATE PARTY

If you purchase a vehicle from

Motorcycles, Mopeds, and
Scooters
[/portal/vehicle-
another person instead of a dealer, it
registration/new-
registration/motorcycles-
mopeds-and-scooters/]
is known as a private party purchase.
Buyers have 10 days after
Commercial Vehicle Registration
[/portal/vehicle-
registration/new-
purchasing the vehicle to transfer
registration/commercial-
vehicle-registration/]
ownership from the seller to
themselves, and sellers have 5 days
Junk/Revived Salvage Vehicles
[/portal/vehicle-
registration/new-
after the sale to report the transfer
registration/junk-revived-
salvage-vehicles/] of ownership to DMV
Registration for a Vehicle
[/portal/vehicle-
Purchased from a Dealer
[/portal/vehicle- registration/titles/title-transfers-
registration/new-
registration/registering-a-
vehicle-purchased-from-a-
and-changes/notice-of-transfer-
dealer/]
and-release-of-liability-nrl/]
Motorcycle Registration
[/portal/vehicle-
.
registration/new-
registration/register-a-
motorcycle/]
To take over ownership of a vehicle, you will need:

Boat/Vessel Registration The vehicle’s title (sometimes referred to as a pink slip), signed by the person selling
[/portal/vehicle- the car. (Their signature is required on Line 1 of the title.)
registration/new-
registration/register-your-boat- – If the vehicle’s title has been lost, stolen, or damaged, complete an Application
for Replacement or Transfer of Title (REG 227) (PDF) form.
vessel/]
If the seller 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 appears on the title.

A record of the odometer mileage (if the vehicle is less than 10 years old).

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12.06.2022, 18:56 How to Register Vehicles Purchased in Private Sales - California DMV

Imported Vehicle Registration – If the title does not have a line where you can write the mileage information,
[/portal/vehicle- complete a Vehicle/ Vessel Transfer and Reassignment (REG 262) form. Make sure
registration/new- both the buyer and seller sign the form. 1
registration/register-an-
imported-vehicle/] A smog certification.

Applicable fees [/portal/vehicle-registration/registration-fees/] and a use tax.

Specially Constructed or
Modified Vehicle Registration You can transfer ownership of the vehicle by mailing your completed form to DMV or visiting
[/portal/vehicle- a DMV field office [/portal/locations/] in person.
registration/new-
registration/register-a-
specially-constructed-or-
modified-vehicle/]

Off-Highway Vehicle
Registration
[/portal/vehicle-
registration/new-
registration/register-an-off-
highway-vehicle-ohv/]

Total Loss Salvage & Non-

Repairable Vehicles
[/portal/vehicle-
registration/new-
registration/total-loss-salvage-
non-repairable-vehicles/]

Special Circumstances
[/portal/vehicle-
registration/new-
registration/special-
circumstances/]

Need something else?

Title Transfers Smog Certification Fee Calculator

Find out what you need to know about Need to get a smog check to finish Use one of our handy Fee Calculators to
transferring a title into or out of your registering a vehicle? plan for registration and title transfer fee
ownership. estimates.

Go to titles Calculate fees

[/portal/titles-landing-2hrs/title- Find a smog check station [/portal/vehicle-registration-fee-
transfers-and-changes/] [/portal/smog-inspections/] calculator/]

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