Free California Free Printable Bill of Sale
California offers the optional REG 135 bill of sale form, but any clearly written printed bill of sale is legally valid for a private vehicle transaction. What makes California unique is the strictest title transfer deadline in the US: the seller must report the sale to the DMV within 5 days, and the buyer must complete the title transfer within 10 days — plus a smog certificate is required at the time of sale, and the separate REG 262 form must also be completed.
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California Free Printable Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know
Primary ID Field
VIN
Sales Tax
0.0725%
Title Required
Yes
Inspection
Required
Sales Tax Details
7.25% statewide base rate; district rates add 1.25%–3.25%, so the effective rate is typically 8.5%–10.75% depending on county.
Inspection Requirements
A valid smog certificate is required at the time of sale for most gasoline-powered vehicles over 4 years old. The seller is typically responsible for providing a passing smog certificate unless the buyer agrees otherwise in writing.
California Free Printable Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist
- Obtain a passing smog certificate for the vehicle (seller's responsibility in most cases) before or at the time of sale.
- Print the REG 135 (CA DMV bill of sale) or create your own printed bill of sale — include the VIN, year, make, model, odometer reading, sale price, date, and full legal names, addresses, and signatures of both buyer and seller.
- Complete the REG 262 (Vehicle/Vessel Transfer and Reassignment) form — this is a SEPARATE required form distinct from the bill of sale and must accompany the title transfer.
- Seller signs the back of the title over to the buyer and completes all required fields including the odometer disclosure.
- Seller reports the sale to the CA DMV online within 5 days of the transaction (Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability).
- Print three copies of the bill of sale — one for each party and one for the DMV.
- Buyer brings the signed title, REG 262, bill of sale, smog certificate, and proof of insurance to a DMV office within 10 days of the sale to complete the title transfer and pay use tax.
Common Pitfalls
- Missing the 10-day title transfer deadline is the most common mistake — California has the strictest deadline in the US and penalties apply.
- Forgetting to complete the REG 262 (Vehicle/Vessel Transfer and Reassignment) form is a critical error — the bill of sale alone is not enough to transfer a title in California.
- Selling a vehicle without a passing smog certificate (unless exempt) is illegal in California; sellers can face civil liability if the buyer later fails smog.
- The seller's failure to file the Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability online within 5 days can leave the seller liable for parking tickets and violations committed after the sale.
- California's use tax is based on the purchase price and is collected at DMV — writing a falsely low price on the bill of sale is tax fraud and DMV may assess tax based on vehicle book value.
California Free Printable Bill of Sale — FAQs
Do I need to use the official CA DMV REG 135 bill of sale form?
No — the REG 135 is optional. Any clearly written printed bill of sale with the VIN, sale price, date, and signatures is legally valid. However, you still must separately complete the REG 262 form, which is required for every title transfer.
Does California require notarization of the bill of sale?
No. California does not require the bill of sale to be notarized for a standard private vehicle sale. Both parties sign the document at the time of the transaction.
What is the REG 262 and why do I need it in addition to the bill of sale?
The REG 262 (Vehicle/Vessel Transfer and Reassignment) is a separate CA DMV form that officially transfers the vehicle's registration and title. It is required for every private vehicle sale in California regardless of whether you also use a bill of sale.
Who is responsible for the smog certificate in California?
By law, the seller is generally responsible for providing a valid smog certificate within 90 days of the sale. The buyer and seller can contractually agree otherwise, but this must be documented in writing.
What happens if the buyer misses the 10-day transfer deadline?
After 10 days, the buyer may face late transfer penalties. The seller also remains at risk for liability associated with the vehicle until the title is officially transferred.