Signing Over A Car
Veh. Code 5900 — the seller notifies the department within five calendar days, and Veh. Code 5902 — the buyer within 10 days
Five calendar days. When the owner of a registered vehicle sells or transfers title and delivers possession, the owner notifies the department within five calendar days, giving the date, the names and addresses of owner and transferee, and the vehicle's description on the department's form.
The odometer. The owner also reports the actual odometer mileage at the time of sale, or the true mileage if known to differ. False or inaccurate mileage is not a violation of that subdivision unless done with intent to defraud.
The buyer's 10 days. A transferee who receives a properly endorsed certificate of ownership forwards it with the transfer fee to the department within 10 days, applying for a transfer of registration, and furnishes a driver's license or identification card number in the space provided.
Fees, taxes, odometer statements and the dealer rules are set out in other sections that are not on this page. Whether a particular sale left the seller liable is a question for a licensed California attorney.
Sources for this section (2)
- Veh. Code 5900 — The seller notifies the department within five calendar days
- Veh. Code 5902 — The buyer applies for transfer within 10 days
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed California attorney.