FAQs

If you need Vehicle Registration or any DMV Services Our Los Angeles
Office: 2150 Redondo Beach Blvd.Torrance, CA 90504.

(424)521-0474
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Some nonresident vehicles cannot be registered in California or the United States (U.S.). For rules and exceptions, see the Buying a Vehicle From Out of State – Can You Register It in California? (FFVR 29) Fast Facts brochure.

Caution: Unless the vehicle was originally manufactured to meet California emission standards or the owner or vehicle qualifies for an exemption, California law prohibits California residents or businesses from bringing into California or registering in California, a motor vehicle which is less than 2 years old and has less than 7,500 miles on the odometer at the time of purchase, trade, or acquisition. Refer to the Statement of Facts California Non-Certified Vehicle (REG 256F) form for exemptions.

Signature(s) of the seller(s), buyer(s), and lienholder (if applicable).

A Vehicle/Vessel Transfer and Reassignment Form (REG 262).

A Statement of Facts (REG 256) form.

A Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability (REG 138) form.

Smog certification.

Other less commonly used forms (see below).

Use tax and/or various other fees.

Any change of the registered owner or lienholder (legal owner) of a vehicle or vessel is considered a change in ownership and must be updated within 10 days with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). The change is usually due to:

• A sale, gift, donation, or trade.
• Adding or deleting the name of a co-owner.
• An inheritance.
• A satisfaction of lien (full payment of car loan).

Transfer – When there is a change of ownership, DMV refers to the transaction as a “transfer.”

Seller – The person(s) and/or company shown as the registered owner on the Certificate of Title (and DMV’s records) is always referred to as the seller, even if the vehicle is a gift.

Buyer – The person(s) and/or company who is going to become the new registered owner is referred to as the buyer.

Odometer Disclosure
Odometer disclosure is on the Certificate of Title. Disclosing the vehicle’s odometer mileage reading is required by federal regulations for all transfers unless the vehicle is:

• 20 years old or older for vehicles 2011 and newer.
• A commercial vehicle with a GVW or CGW of more than 16,000 pounds.

When you transfer ownership of a gas-powered vehicle that is 8 or less model years old, a smog certification is not required. However, a smog transfer fee is collected from the new owner. When a gas-powered vehicle that is more than 4 model years old or a diesel-powered vehicle that is a 1998 year-model or newer with a GVW of 14,000 pounds or less is sold, the seller must obtain a smog certification for the transfer unless within the last 90 days a biennial smog certification was obtained. Exempt vehicles:

• 1975 and older year-model vehicle that is gas-powered.
• 1997 and older year-model vehicle that is diesel-powered.
• Diesel-powered vehicle that weighs 14,001 pounds or more GVW.
• Electric-powered vehicle.
• Vehicle equipped with a two-cycle engine.
• Natural gas-powered vehicle that weighs 14,001 pounds or more GVW.
• Motorcycle.
• Trailer.
• Special equipment vehicle.
• Off-highway vehicle.
• Crane.
• Cement mixer.
• Forklift.
• Golf cart.
• Street sweeper originally manufactured as a street sweeper and incapable of use for any other purpose. This does not include a vehicle converted or retrofitted with a vacuum or sweeper.
• Transfer between family members (parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, brother, sister, spouse, or domestic partner) or individual being added as a registered owner. A REG 256 must be completed for the exemption. However, if registration renewal is due, the smog may be required for the renewal.

When the application is submitted to DMV these fees may be due:

• Transfer.
• Use tax based on the new registered owner’s city and county of residence; use tax is not due if the vehicle is on PNO and Transfer Only is being requested.
  If the new registered owner’s address is out-of-state and the vehicle is not located in California, the base California Use Tax rate is applied, not the rate of the out of state location.
• Registration renewal (if coming due) or planned nonoperation.
• Replacement title if a REG 227 is used.
• Replacement license plate(s) if replacement license plates are needed.
  The fee is not due if the plates being replaced were Disabled Person, Special Interest, or personalized.

Transfer fees are due within 10 days of the “sale” (date of sale, gift, donation, or trade). Penalties are assessed if payment is not submitted to DMV within 30 days of the “sale.” To avoid penalties, fees can be posted while waiting for all necessary documentation or requirements to complete the transaction. If multiple sales occur before DMV is notified, a separate transfer fee is collected for each sale when the transfer application is received by DMV.

Check similar vehicles in newspapers, online, vehicle dealerships, and in value/pricing guides available at the library.

What do I do with the license plates when I sell my car?
Most vehicles have sequentially issued “standard” license plates that remain with the vehicle when ownership is transferred. Disabled person, special interest, or personalized license plates belong to the plate owner, not the vehicle. As the seller of a vehicle with disabled person, special interest, or personalized license plates, you must remove the plates. If you wish to release your interest in the special interest or personalized license plates to the new owner, complete a Special Interest License Plate Application (REG 17) form releasing your interest and give the form to the buyer.

When you give the buyer all the required documentation and DMV receives your completed REG 138; the seller’s part of the transaction is complete. Once the buyer provides DMV with all the proper documents, fees, and all the requirements are met (including smog certification, if applicable), the vehicle record is updated to reflect the change of ownership (your name is removed at that point), and a registration card is issued. A new title is issued within 10-15 calendar days.

All the transfer fees are the responsibility of the buyer.

Keep a copy of the completed REG 138.

Contact your tax advisor.

When the names are joined by the word “or,” one owner can sell the vehicle without the other’s signature. The word “and” or a slash (/) requires the signature of each owner to sell the vehicle.

The example below indicates where to complete the current California Certificate of Title.

On front: Lien holder (only if a lienholder is shown) signs and dates here to release ownership.
When only deleting a lienholder, the registered owner(s) does not sign line 1A/1B and does not complete lines 3A-13.
On back: New lienholder’s name (such as a bank or other financial institution), if any, is printed here.

HTVR 32 (REV. 6/2022)

VIN inspections are done at DMV offices.  At larger offices, drive to the inspection station outside the main office first.

EMISSION INSPECTIONS

Smog checks are required on most gasoline and diesel powered cars and trucks, 1968 and newer, based in most areas of Las Vegas and Reno. Exemptions include new vehicles on their first and second registration, hybrids for the first five model years, diesel vehicles with a manufacturers gross vehicle weight rating over 14,000 pounds, motorcycles and mopeds.

Emissions tests are valid for 90 days. If the vehicle was purchased from a Nevada dealer, the test is valid for 180 days from the date of the test.