I sold my car.. The DMV paper work process? (sale, transfer)

[HarborEastGuy]

I printed out the "Bill of Sale" document from the DMV website.

When I sell a car that I own "out-right" with no liens, are the
following 3 steps all I need to do???

1) Fill out top and bottom of DMV Bill of sale.
2) Fill out top portion of Title then tear it off and send it to the DMV
3) Sign over Title and give to buyer. (minus the top part)

Do I need to take the CA plate off and return it to the DMV or does it
go with the car?

Did I miss anything that I need to do???

Thanks!!!
Tom

[Ultrarunner]

Originally Posted by Tom63376

I printed out the "Bill of Sale" document from the DMV website.

When I sell a car that I own "out-right" with no liens, are the
following 3 steps all I need to do???

1) Fill out top and bottom of DMV Bill of sale.
2) Fill out top portion of Title then tear it off and send it to the DMV
3) Sign over Title and give to buyer. (minus the top part)

Do I need to take the CA plate off and return it to the DMV or does it
go with the car?

Did I miss anything that I need to do???

Thanks!!!
Tom

Yes... California requires the vehicle owner to provide a valid Smog Certificate to the Buyer upon sale... the ONLY exception I'm aware of are for cars sold in State to CA licensed Dealers/Dismantlers, Cars which are Smog Exempt... 1973? and older and Cars transfers between parent and child...

If you sell without providing a smog and one is required... you are leaving yourself liable for what ever the cost is to have the car pass smog...

I like to go with my buyer to the DMV or in my case the AAA office which provides limited DMV services to members and do the transfer... the car will always remain in your name unless the buyer completes a transfer... the notice of sale you provide the DMV is protection against tickets and fines... but it can still be a real problem if your buyer is unscruplious...

[HarborEastGuy]

Oh yes, I have a 1 year old smog cert. Is that good enough or do I need a new one?
Is that the only thing I missed?

Thanks!

[Donn2390]

You don't take the plate off unless you are selling the vehicle out of state. You are required to provide the smog cert, however... The last two cars I sold, the buyer offered me less money than I was asking, so I wrote on the bill of sale the price was reduced because the buyer would provide smog. How that would hold up in court, I don't know, but I have done it on several occasions with no problems.
I also wrote there was no known defects, the cars starts and runs well, the transmission shifts properly, the tires are good, the brakes are good, however the vehicle is being sold as is with no guarantee.
When the buyer pays, you sign and date the title. Buyer has ten days from that date to register the vehicle in his name. By signing and dating, you are relieved of responsibility, no need to go to the DMV with him.
A one year old smog cert is not good, you will need a new one.

[bhcompy]

dont worry about the plate.

make a photocopy of the release of liability for your records. the dmv is very prone to losing them and you dont get a carbon copy

[HarborEastGuy]

If I sell the car out of state, am I required to take the plate off and personally
return it at the CA DMV??

Or will the DMV of the other state request the plate from the new owner at
registration time and send it back to CA DMV??

IE: I am on assignment on the East Coast right now and want to sell this car
here and just fly back to CA. (I have second car in CA)

Thanks!

[Ultrarunner]

In CA the plates stay with the vehicle...

If you have a Vanity Plate or other special issue plate, the proper procedure is to go to your nearest DMV and fill out a form that allows you to retain your exisitng plate for a fee and you will walk out with a replacement standard plate for a fee...

Here is what the CA DMV has posted regarding Smog requirements and sales...

When a car is sold, who is responsible for the inspection?
The seller is required to provide the buyer with a valid smog inspection certification at the time of the sale or transfer. Smog certifications are good for 90 days from the date of issuance.

The inspection is not required on a transfer if a biennial smog certification was submitted to DMV within 90 days prior to the vehicle transfer date (a vehicle inspection report may be required for proof of certification).

Note: Smog certifications are not required for transfers that occur for any motor vehicle that is four or less model years old. A smog transfer fee will be collected from the new owner.

[Donn2390]

I dobn't know how it works in the state you are in, we are talking Calif DMV laws here. I recently purchased a car in Florida, which I shipped to California, and a pick-up from MJ, which I had shipped to Calif. both of those states required the plates be returned to their DMV's. Check your local state DMV to see if it's the same.
The two vehicles were a 2007, and a 2003, and both required a Calif smog cert before registering in Calif.
Vehicles purchased in Calif don't requoire smog for five years, but even new vehicles purchased in another state, must be smogged in Calif before it can be registered.
The S-10 pick-up even required a weight cert before registering in Calif.
You are selling in another state. Check your local DMV laws, they may be different..1

[HarborEastGuy]

Thanks to all who posted!!!

[monkeyz]

im required to have a smog report to transfer the title under my name but the vechicle is no longer in my possesion can the dmv give me anything stating ive paid the fees fue and that im the legal new owner or in the process to go lick up my car and get the smog check done??