Selling a Vehicle in a Private Party Sale
- Pay off your vehicle loan
- After your RCU loan is paid off, the state will automatically mail you the title within 2-4 weeks of release.
- Change vehicle ownership
- Signature of seller and buyer on front of title (line 1a and odometer box) – don’t forget to include dates and odometer reading. To learn more, watch this video: Title Transfer – Where Do We Sign?
- Provide the buyer with evidence of a valid smog certification, if applicable.
- Smog certificates are good for 90 days from the date of inspection. Smog certification is not required if the owner or buyer signs a statement that smog certification was submitted with renewal fees within 90 days prior to the transfer date (a vehicle inspection report may be required for proof of certification). When you transfer a vehicle that is four or less model years old, a smog certification is not required (this rule does not apply to diesel vehicles). A smog transfer fee will be collected from the new owner. More on smog requirements info here.
- Complete a Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability.
- The seller is responsible for reporting the change of ownership to DMV within 5 days of the date of sale. After DMV updates the information from the Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability, you will be cleared from future liability on the vehicle. The buyer is responsible for reporting the change of ownership to DMV within 10 days from the date of purchase.
