California Form REG 138 is the Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability that every California vehicle seller, donor, or transferor must submit to the California Department of Motor Vehicles within five calendar days of releasing ownership. Filing this single page form ends your civil and criminal responsibility for parking tickets, toll violations, abandoned vehicle fines, and accidents that the new owner might cause after the sale.
The DMV processes more than 4 million vehicle ownership transfers each year, and a missed REG 138 is one of the top reasons sellers get stuck paying for someone else’s red light camera tickets, towing fees, and even DUI impound charges. Skipping or fumbling this form can leave your name on the title in DMV records for months, even after you handed over the keys and the cash hit your bank account.
Here is exactly what you will learn in this guide:
- 📄 What every box, line, and signature block on REG 138 actually asks for
- 🧾 Three full real-world walkthroughs, including a private sale, a family gift, and a junked vehicle
- 🛑 The ten most common mistakes that cause the DMV to reject or ignore your filing
- 🌐 Every legal way to file, including the DMV online NRL portal, mail, and in person
- ⏱️ The exact five day deadline under California Vehicle Code §5900 and the penalties for missing it
What the Form Is and Who Must File It
Form REG 138 is California’s official Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability, a one page seller side notice that tells the California DMV you no longer own a specific vehicle. The form is governed by California Vehicle Code §5900 and §5602, which together say the seller is presumed to still own the car until the DMV gets this notice. The current revision is REG 138 REV. 8/2022, printed in the lower left corner of the form, and you should always download a fresh copy to be sure you have the latest version.
You must file REG 138 if you sold a car, truck, motorcycle, trailer, or off highway vehicle that is titled in California. You also file it if you gave the vehicle away as a gift, donated it to a charity, traded it in to a dealer, transferred it into a trust, surrendered it to an insurance company after a total loss, or sent it to a licensed dismantler. Lessors who end a lease early and release the vehicle to the lessee or to another party also file REG 138.
Buyers do not file REG 138. Buyers file a separate Application for Title or Registration (REG 343) along with the signed title. Dealers, dismantlers, and salvage pools also use their own report of sale forms, but the individual who released the vehicle still files REG 138 to protect themselves personally.
The form solves a very specific problem. Without it, the DMV’s records still show you as the registered owner, so every parking ticket, toll bridge violation, abandoned vehicle citation, and red light camera notice routes back to your address. With a properly filed REG 138, the DMV stamps a release of liability date into your record, and any incident dated after that day is the new owner’s problem, not yours.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Gathering the right facts before you open REG 138 takes about ten minutes and prevents almost every rejection. The form is short, but each blank field has to match the DMV’s existing records exactly, or the release will not post to your account. Pull the items below out of your glovebox, your title folder, and your sale paperwork before you start typing.
- Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). This is the 17 character code on the dashboard and door jamb. The DMV uses the VIN, not the plate, to match your release to the right vehicle, and a single wrong digit kills the filing.
- California license plate number. Enter it exactly as printed, including any leading zeros. If the plate is missing, the DMV still needs the VIN to locate the record.
- Year, make, and model. Pull these from the title or the vehicle registration card. Do not guess the model trim, as the DMV only needs the basic make and model.
- Date of sale or transfer. This is the day you physically handed over the keys, not the day the buyer registers the car. Get this wrong by even one day and your liability window shifts.
- Selling price. You need the actual dollar amount, even if it was a gift (then enter zero or “GIFT”). The price field also helps the DMV calculate use tax for the buyer.
- Odometer reading. Federal law requires odometer disclosure for any vehicle under 20 model years old as of 2021 NHTSA rules. California follows the federal rule, so write down the exact mileage at sale.
- New owner’s full legal name, address, phone, and driver license number. The DMV uses this to push the record forward. A missing buyer address is the single most common cause of DMV rejection.
- Your own driver license number, address, and daytime phone. The DMV cross checks this against your existing record, so use the address currently on file.
- A clean copy of the signed title (pink slip). You do not mail the title with REG 138, but you need it nearby to verify VIN and owner name spelling.
- A working email address if filing online. The DMV NRL portal emails you a confirmation number, which is your only proof the filing posted.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
The official REG 138 PDF lives on the California DMV forms page and is free to download, print, and reproduce. Always pull a fresh copy from the DMV site rather than reusing an old printout, since the DMV updates fields, barcodes, and instructions without much fanfare. The current version is REG 138 REV. 8/2022, and you can confirm that revision date in the lower left corner before you start writing.
You can also pick up a paper REG 138 at any DMV field office at the customer counter or in the lobby form rack. AAA branches that offer DMV services in California stock the form too, and many California car insurance agents keep a small supply for clients who just sold a car. Avoid third party “DMV helper” sites that charge a fee for the form itself, since the DMV version is always free.
If you prefer to skip paper entirely, the DMV online Notice of Release of Liability tool walks you through the same questions in a guided web form. The online version is the fastest path, posts to your record almost immediately, and emails you a confirmation page you can save as a PDF. The paper REG 138 is still useful if you do not have reliable internet, if you sold a vehicle with a non standard situation like a salvage transfer, or if you want a wet ink record for your files.
For accessibility, the DMV provides REG 138 in large print on request, and field offices offer reader assistance for visually impaired filers. Spanish speakers can call the DMV at 1-800-777-0133 for help completing the form, although the official PDF is published only in English.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out REG 138 Line by Line
The REG 138 has one page split into three logical zones: the vehicle identification block at the top, the new owner block in the middle, and the seller certification and signature block at the bottom. Work through it top to bottom, in blue or black ink only, and print clearly in capital letters since the DMV scans the form into its system. Below is each field on the form in the exact order it appears, with a plain English explanation, an example entry, a nuance, a common mistake, and a misconception for each one.
Vehicle License Plate or CF Number
This top left box asks for the California license plate number that was bolted to the vehicle when you sold it, or the CF (vessel) number if you are releasing a boat that uses a CF prefix. Print the plate exactly as issued, in capital letters, with no spaces or hyphens, even if the plate itself has a space. Personalized plates and standard sequential plates both go in the same box.
For example, Maria Lopez sold her 2018 Honda Civic with plate 8ABC123, so she writes 8ABC123 in the box. If her plate had been a personalized plate reading “MARIAL,” she would write MARIAL with no quotes.
A nuance to watch: if the plates were lost, stolen, or surrendered before the sale, write NONE in this box and rely on the VIN field to identify the vehicle. The most common mistake is mixing up the letter O and the number 0, which routes your release to the wrong vehicle and leaves you on the hook for the real one. The misconception that trips people up here is that the plate “follows” the car forever; in fact, California allows the seller to keep personalized plates by filing a separate REG 17, so the plate on REG 138 may differ from the plate the buyer eventually puts on.
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
This box wants the full 17 character VIN that uniquely identifies the vehicle, the same number etched on the dash and stamped on the door jamb. Write each character in its own block in capital letters, with no dashes, spaces, or slashes. Older vehicles built before 1981 may have shorter VINs of 11 to 13 characters, which is fine, just left align them.
For example, Carlos Nguyen releases a 2020 Toyota Tacoma with VIN 5TFAX5GN1LX123456, so he prints 5TFAX5GN1LX123456 one character per block.
A nuance: the letters I, O, and Q are never used in modern VINs, so if you see what looks like one, it is the number 1 or 0. The most common mistake here is transposing two characters in the middle of the string, which causes the DMV to reject the form silently because no record matches. The misconception is that the VIN on the title is “close enough” if it has a typo from a prior transfer; you must enter the VIN that the DMV currently has on file, which is the VIN on the most recent registration card.
Year, Make, and Model
These three small fields ask for the four digit model year, the manufacturer’s name, and the model name. Use the manufacturer’s official spelling, like CHEVROLET not “Chevy,” and MERCEDES-BENZ with the hyphen. The model field takes the basic model name only, like CIVIC or F150, with no trim level, engine code, or package name.
For example, Janet Reyes sold a 2015 Ford F-150 XLT, so she enters 2015, FORD, and F150 in the three fields.
A nuance: motorhomes use the chassis manufacturer in the make field, so a 2019 Winnebago built on a Ford E450 chassis is entered as 2019, FORD, and E450. The most common mistake is writing the trim level in the model box, which the DMV scanner truncates and may flag as a mismatch. The misconception is that the year on REG 138 must match the year the car was first registered; in fact, it must match the model year stamped on the title, which can differ from the first registration year by up to twelve months.
Date of Sale or Transfer
This field asks for the exact calendar date you handed over the vehicle, in MM/DD/YYYY format with leading zeros. The date you write here is the date the DMV uses to start your release of liability, so it has to be the day the buyer took possession, not the day you signed the title or the day the buyer paid you.
For example, Maria Lopez handed Carlos the keys at noon on March 14, 2026, so she writes 03/14/2026.
A nuance arises when the buyer pays a deposit on one day and picks up the car later: the date here is the pickup date, not the deposit date. The most common mistake is writing the date you signed the title days before the buyer arrived, which can extend your liability backwards if the buyer drives off and gets a ticket before the date you wrote. The misconception is that the date of sale is the date the DMV processes the form; the DMV uses the date you enter, as long as it is supported by the bill of sale.
Selling Price
This field asks for the dollar amount the buyer paid, written as a whole number with no commas or decimals. Enter zero or write GIFT if no money changed hands, and enter the trade allowance if it was a dealer trade in. The DMV shares this number with the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration for use tax purposes.
For example, Maria Lopez sold the Civic for $9,500 cash, so she writes 9500.
A nuance: family transfers between parent, child, grandparent, grandchild, spouse, or domestic partner are exempt from use tax under Revenue and Taxation Code §6285, but you still write the actual price (or GIFT) on REG 138 and let the buyer claim the exemption on REG 256. The most common mistake is writing a low “favor” price for a friend, which the DMV cross checks against Kelley Blue Book values and may flag for a use tax audit on the buyer. The misconception is that leaving the field blank protects the buyer’s privacy; a blank price field is grounds for the DMV to reject the form outright.
Odometer Reading
This field asks for the exact mileage on the odometer at the moment of sale, with no tenths and no commas. Federal odometer disclosure rules under 49 CFR Part 580 require this for any vehicle under 20 model years old, and California enforces the same rule. Check one of the three boxes underneath: actual mileage, exceeds mechanical limits, or not actual mileage.
For example, Carlos Nguyen releases his Tacoma with 47,832 miles on the clock, so he writes 47832 and checks the actual mileage box.
A nuance: if the odometer rolled over past 999,999 on a vehicle that only has six digits, check exceeds mechanical limits and write the current reading. The most common mistake is rounding the mileage up or down, which technically violates federal odometer law and creates a paper trail problem if the buyer later sues over the car’s history. The misconception is that odometer disclosure is optional for older cars; under the updated 2021 NHTSA rule, only vehicles 20 model years old or older are exempt, so a 2007 vehicle sold in 2026 is still exempt, but a 2008 sold in 2026 is not.
New Owner’s True Full Name
This middle of the form field asks for the buyer’s full legal name, exactly as it appears on their driver license. Write last name first, then first name, then middle initial, all in capital letters. If the buyer is a business, write the registered business name as it appears on the California Secretary of State records.
For example, Maria’s buyer is Carlos M. Nguyen, so she writes NGUYEN, CARLOS M.
A nuance: if there are two buyers on the title, list both names separated by AND or OR, since AND requires both signatures to later sell, while OR lets either one act alone. The most common mistake is writing a nickname like “Charlie” instead of the legal “Carlos,” which causes a name mismatch when the buyer goes to register. The misconception is that the seller is responsible for confirming the buyer’s identity; you only need to copy what the buyer shows on their license, but you should at least look at the license to make sure it is not a fake name.
New Owner’s Driver License or ID Number
This box asks for the buyer’s California driver license or ID number, an eight character string starting with one letter and seven digits. Out of state buyers can list their home state license number with the state abbreviation, like TX12345678. Business buyers list the federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) instead.
For example, Carlos’s California license is N1234567, so Maria writes N1234567.
A nuance: if the buyer just moved to California and has not yet been issued a California license, write the home state license and add a note in the margin. The most common mistake is leaving this box blank because the seller felt awkward asking for the buyer’s license; without this number, the DMV cannot confirm who took possession and may not post your release. The misconception is that this number lets the DMV penalize the buyer for the seller’s filing errors; in fact, it only links the new owner to the vehicle in DMV records.
New Owner’s Address
This block asks for the buyer’s residence address, including street, apartment number, city, state, and ZIP code. Use the address on the buyer’s license or, if they just moved, the address where they actually live now. P.O. boxes alone are not acceptable; the DMV needs a physical address.
For example, Carlos lives at 1450 Mission Street, Apt 3B, San Francisco, CA 94103, so Maria writes the full address with each piece in its own field.
A nuance: military buyers stationed in California can list the base address, including the unit and barracks number. The most common mistake is writing the seller’s address by accident, which loops the release back to you and defeats the entire purpose of the form. The misconception is that the buyer’s address is private and optional; California treats it as a required field for any title transfer.
Date New Owner Acquired Vehicle
This field repeats the transfer date from the top of the form, which seems redundant but lets the DMV cross check the buyer’s possession date against the seller’s release date. Use the same MM/DD/YYYY format and the same date you entered earlier on the form. They must match exactly.
For example, Maria Lopez enters 03/14/2026 in both date fields.
A nuance: in a delayed delivery sale where the buyer takes the car a few days after signing, both dates here should be the actual delivery date, not the signing date. The most common mistake is entering a date here that is one day off from the top of the form, which makes the DMV question the whole filing. The misconception is that the buyer’s possession date can be backdated to save use tax; backdating the date is a misdemeanor under Vehicle Code §20.
Seller’s True Full Name
The seller block at the bottom asks for your full legal name, last name first, in capital letters, exactly as it appears on the title. If two sellers are on the title joined by AND, both must sign; if joined by OR, either may sign alone.
For example, Maria E. Lopez writes LOPEZ, MARIA E. in the box.
A nuance: if you took the title in a maiden name and now go by a married name, write the name as it appears on the title and add your current name in parentheses. The most common mistake is signing as a co-owner when only one of two AND owners is releasing the vehicle, which the DMV will reject. The misconception is that you can have someone else sign for you; only the registered owner or a person holding a valid DMV power of attorney REG 260 can sign REG 138.
Seller’s Driver License Number, Address, and Phone
This block asks for your California driver license, your current mailing address, and a daytime phone number. The DMV uses the license number to match the release to your record, so make sure it matches the license on file. The phone number is optional but speeds up any follow up call from the DMV.
For example, Maria Lopez writes her license number D9876543, her address 2200 Folsom Street, San Francisco, CA 94110, and her phone (415) 555-0199.
A nuance: if you moved recently, file a DMV change of address (DMV 14) before sending REG 138, so the address on both forms matches. The most common mistake is using an old address that no longer matches the DMV record, which can cause the release to bounce. The misconception is that the seller’s contact info is only used for marketing; the DMV uses it to confirm your identity if a dispute later arises.
Seller’s Signature and Date
The last line asks for your handwritten signature and the date you signed. Sign in blue or black ink for paper filings, or use the e-signature checkbox in the online portal. The date here is the date you completed the form, which can be the same as the sale date or up to five days later.
For example, Maria Lopez signs Maria E. Lopez and writes 03/14/2026 on the date line.
A nuance: an electronic signature on the DMV portal counts as a wet signature under California Uniform Electronic Transactions Act §1633.7. The most common mistake is forgetting to sign at all, which is grounds for instant rejection. The misconception is that a typed name in the signature box is a valid signature on a paper form; only a wet ink signature works on paper REG 138.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
Below are three of the most common REG 138 fact patterns, each followed by a two column table that shows what the seller actually writes in the major sections of the form. Each scenario uses a named person, a real California address, and concrete numbers so you can pattern match your own situation.
Scenario 1: Maria Lopez sells a 2018 Honda Civic to a private buyer
Maria sold her well-kept Civic to Carlos for $9,500 cash and wants to file REG 138 the same day so she is off the hook for any tickets Carlos racks up before he registers the car.
| Form Section | What Maria Enters |
|---|---|
| License Plate | 8ABC123 |
| VIN | 2HGFC2F69JH123456 |
| Year / Make / Model | 2018 / HONDA / CIVIC |
| Date of Sale | 03/14/2026 |
| Selling Price | 9500 |
| Odometer | 47832 (actual mileage) |
| New Owner | NGUYEN, CARLOS M. |
| New Owner Address | 1450 MISSION ST APT 3B, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94103 |
| Seller Name | LOPEZ, MARIA E. |
| Seller Signature / Date | Maria E. Lopez / 03/14/2026 |
Scenario 2: David Chen gifts a 2014 Subaru Outback to his daughter Emily
David is giving the Outback to Emily, his adult daughter, as a college graduation present. No money changes hands, but he still must file REG 138 and Emily still files REG 256 to claim the family transfer use tax exemption.
| Form Section | What David Enters |
|---|---|
| License Plate | 7XYZ456 |
| VIN | 4S4BRBKC4E3234567 |
| Year / Make / Model | 2014 / SUBARU / OUTBACK |
| Date of Sale | 05/20/2026 |
| Selling Price | GIFT |
| Odometer | 112450 (actual mileage) |
| New Owner | CHEN, EMILY R. |
| New Owner Address | 350 SERRA MALL, STANFORD, CA 94305 |
| Seller Name | CHEN, DAVID L. |
| Seller Signature / Date | David L. Chen / 05/20/2026 |
Scenario 3: Janet Reyes releases a totaled 2010 Toyota Camry to her insurance company
Janet’s Camry was declared a total loss after a freeway collision, and her insurer, State Farm, took the salvage. She files REG 138 to remove herself from any future liability for the wrecked car sitting in the salvage yard.
| Form Section | What Janet Enters |
|---|---|
| License Plate | 6JKL789 |
| VIN | 4T1BF3EK5AU345678 |
| Year / Make / Model | 2010 / TOYOTA / CAMRY |
| Date of Sale | 04/02/2026 |
| Selling Price | 4200 (insurance settlement) |
| Odometer | 168900 (actual mileage) |
| New Owner | STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTO INS CO |
| New Owner Address | 1 STATE FARM PLAZA, BLOOMINGTON, IL 61710 |
| Seller Name | REYES, JANET A. |
| Seller Signature / Date | Janet A. Reyes / 04/02/2026 |
How to File the Completed Form
REG 138 can be filed three ways, and the DMV treats each channel as equally valid as long as it arrives within five days of the transfer date. Pick the channel that gives you the fastest confirmation, since the date the DMV receives the notice is what controls your release of liability under Vehicle Code §5602.
The fastest channel is the DMV online Notice of Release of Liability portal, which is free, available 24 hours a day, and posts almost instantly. You will need your license plate, last five digits of the VIN, and the buyer’s name and address. The portal emails you a confirmation page with a reference number; save it as a PDF and print it for your files, since this is your proof of timely filing if a dispute later arises.
Filing by mail is the traditional path. Send the completed REG 138 with no fee to Department of Motor Vehicles, PO Box 942859, Sacramento, CA 94259-0001. Use first class mail with a USPS Certificate of Mailing (about $1.85) so you can prove the postmark date if the DMV later loses the form. Processing usually takes two to three weeks, but your release of liability is effective on the date you mailed it, not the date the DMV scans it.
You can also drop off the form in person at any California DMV field office. There is no fee, no appointment is required for this transaction, and the clerk will date stamp your copy as your proof of filing. In-person filing is useful if the sale date is already at day four and you cannot risk a mail delay. Fax filing is no longer accepted as of the 2022 form revision.
For all three channels, keep your proof of filing for at least three years, since old toll violations and parking tickets can surface long after the sale.
What Happens After You File
Once the DMV processes REG 138, the agency stamps a release of liability date into your vehicle record and stops sending you notices for that vehicle. You can confirm the release posted by signing into your MyDMV account and checking the vehicle history, which should show “Release of Liability Filed” with the effective date. Online filings usually post within 24 hours, while mailed filings can take two to three weeks to appear.
The DMV does not send the buyer a copy of REG 138 and does not register the vehicle in their name based on your filing. The buyer must independently submit their own REG 343 application, the signed title, a smog certificate (if required), and the transfer fees within ten days of the sale. If the buyer never registers the car, the title still shows your name, but the release of liability protects you from civil and criminal exposure for the buyer’s actions.
If the DMV later receives a parking ticket, toll violation, or red light citation for the vehicle dated after your release date, the agency forwards it to the buyer’s address on file. If the buyer disputes the sale and claims they never bought the car, the DMV may contact you to confirm; this is when your bill of sale (REG 135) and your REG 138 confirmation page become essential. Keeping both for at least three years is the standard recommendation among California consumer protection attorneys.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
Below are the ten errors that most often blow up a REG 138 filing, each with the direct consequence so you know exactly what is at stake.
- Writing the wrong VIN by even one character. The DMV cannot match the form to any vehicle and silently rejects it, leaving you on the hook.
- Missing the five day deadline under Vehicle Code §5900. You remain the legal owner of record and inherit every ticket the buyer earns.
- Leaving the selling price blank. The DMV rejects the form for incompleteness and may flag the buyer for a use tax audit.
- Using a P.O. box for the buyer’s address. The DMV requires a physical residence address and rejects mail-only addresses.
- Forgetting to sign or signing in pencil. An unsigned or pencil-signed form is treated as never filed.
- Entering the buyer’s nickname instead of the legal name. The DMV cannot match the buyer to a license record, which can stall their later registration.
- Backdating the date of sale to save use tax. This is a misdemeanor under Vehicle Code §20 and can void the release.
- Filing REG 138 but forgetting the bill of sale (REG 135). Without a bill of sale, you have no backup if the buyer disputes the transfer.
- Using an old version of the form pulled from a third party site. The DMV may reject any version older than REG 138 REV. 8/2022.
- Mailing the title along with REG 138. The buyer needs the title to register, so sending it to the DMV with your release strands the buyer and creates a duplicate title fight.
Do’s and Don’ts
The list below boils REG 138 down to the field-tested habits that separate a clean filing from a mess.
- Do file online through the DMV NRL portal the same day the buyer drives off, because every hour of delay is an hour of liability exposure.
- Do keep a photo of the completed form and the signed title before the buyer takes them, since you will need them if a dispute arises.
- Do double check the VIN against the dashboard plate, not just the title, because old titles can carry typos.
- Do ask the buyer for a photo of their driver license at signing, so the name and license number on REG 138 are accurate.
- Do collect a separate Bill of Sale (REG 135) signed by both parties, since REG 138 is not a contract.
- Do save your DMV confirmation number for three years, the typical statute of limitations for related civil claims.
- Don’t hand over the keys before the buyer signs the bill of sale and shows valid ID.
- Don’t assume the buyer will file paperwork that protects you; they have no incentive to file quickly.
- Don’t rely on the buyer’s verbal promise to register the car; about 1 in 10 California buyers delays registration past the 10 day window.
- Don’t write “FRIEND PRICE” or invented language in the price field, because the DMV only accepts numbers, GIFT, or TRADE.
- Don’t mail REG 138 without a Certificate of Mailing, since the DMV occasionally loses paper filings.
- Don’t tell the buyer they can drive on your plates indefinitely; California allows the buyer only a temporary operating permit until they register.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
REG 138 is short enough that almost everyone files it pro se, but there are situations where paying a registration service or attorney makes sense. The list below weighs both sides.
- Pro – No fee for self filing. The DMV charges nothing for REG 138, online or paper.
- Pro – Online filing is instant. The portal takes about five minutes for a simple sale.
- Pro – You control the timing. Filing yourself eliminates the risk that a third party misses the five day deadline.
- Pro – You keep the original confirmation number. No middleman has your proof of filing.
- Pro – You learn the system. Knowing how REG 138 works helps if you ever sell another car.
- Con – Edge cases get tricky. Trust transfers, out of state buyers, and salvage releases often confuse pro se filers.
- Con – Mistakes are easy on paper. A single wrong VIN digit kills the filing.
- Con – No second set of eyes. A registration service or attorney catches errors before they post.
- Con – Disputes can escalate. If the buyer contests the sale, you may end up needing legal help anyway.
- Con – Time cost. Even five minutes online may feel like too much when life is busy, and a service can do it for you for $15 to $40.
Online Filing vs. Paper Filing at a Glance
| Filing Channel | Key Difference |
|---|---|
| Online via DMV NRL portal | Free, instant, 24/7, emails confirmation, posts in under 24 hours |
| Paper by Mail | Free, but takes 2–3 weeks to post; needs Certificate of Mailing for proof |
| Paper In Person at a DMV field office | Free, same day stamp of receipt, useful at deadline |
FAQs
Do I have to file REG 138 if the buyer promised to register the car?
Yes. You must file REG 138 yourself within five days under Vehicle Code §5900, regardless of what the buyer promises about registration on their end.
Is there a fee to file REG 138?
No. The California DMV charges no fee for REG 138 whether you file online, by mail, or in person at a field office.
What is the deadline to file REG 138 after I sell my car?
Yes, there is a deadline: you must file within five calendar days of the sale or transfer date, including weekends and holidays.
Do I write my full legal name or my nickname in the seller name box?
Yes, use your full legal name as it appears on the title and your driver license; nicknames and abbreviations cause DMV mismatches.
If I gifted the car to my child, do I write zero or “GIFT” in the price field?
Yes, write GIFT or 0; either is acceptable, and the buyer claims the family transfer exemption on REG 256.
Do I write the date I signed the title or the date the buyer drove off in the date of sale field?
Yes, use the date the buyer took physical possession, since this is the date the DMV uses to start your release.
Can I file REG 138 if I lost the title?
Yes. You can still file REG 138; the buyer separately applies for a duplicate title using REG 227.
Does filing REG 138 transfer the title to the buyer?
No. REG 138 only releases your liability; the buyer must file REG 343 and the signed title to actually transfer ownership.
Do I need to write the odometer on REG 138 for a 2005 vehicle sold in 2026?
No, vehicles 20 model years old or older are exempt from federal odometer disclosure under the updated NHTSA rule.
Can I file REG 138 online if I don’t have a MyDMV account?
Yes. The DMV NRL portal accepts filings without a MyDMV account; you only need the plate, last 5 of VIN, and buyer info.
What if the buyer is from out of state?
Yes, you still file REG 138; write the buyer’s home state license number in the ID field and their out of state address in the address block.
Can someone else sign REG 138 for me?
No, only the registered owner or someone holding a valid DMV power of attorney REG 260 can sign on the seller’s behalf.
Does REG 138 cancel my car insurance?
No. REG 138 only releases your DMV liability; you must separately call your insurer to remove the vehicle from your policy.
What if I made a typo on REG 138 after I already filed?
Yes, you can correct it by filing a new REG 138 with the accurate information; the DMV uses the most recent valid filing on record.
Related reading
- How to Fill Out California Form TR-205 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out California Form TR-300 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out California Form REG 156 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out California Form REG 227 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out California Form REG 343 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out California Form REG 5 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Delaware DMV Application for Duplicate Title (Form MV213) + FAQs