Hi, I put my RV for sale on rvtrader. I have a cash sale pending and need to move on finalizing the sale properly. (Orange County, CA) What is the proper procedure at this point? Title is lien free. Do I take buyers to the DMV to do a transfer after payment is received? Do I need to get a smog check done for them...before or after DMV? Basically what are all of the proper steps to transfer ownership and complete the sale ASAP. And what shouuld the new owners be doing besides paying me and securing insurance? Ideally in the next two days. Thanks

I have sold major items person-person many times, and besides certified funds (from a bank ideally, or cash) that you take to your bank to verify FIRST, you would sign over title AND provide bill of sale, signed by both parties.HOWEVER---I don't live in CA. You'll dislike me for saying this -- but you should figure all that stuff out FIRST before having sold it. Know the process for your state. Have a plan. Know what types of payments you'll take and HOW you will handle them. Contact the DMV (or website) of your state and see if they have info. Again, I can't imagine that it's any harder than Bill of Sale, Title signed, and certified funds.

mleekamp wrote:I have sold major items person-person many times, and besides certified funds (from a bank ideally, or cash) that you take to your bank to verify FIRST, you would sign over title AND provide bill of sale, signed by both parties.HOWEVER---I don't live in CA. You'll dislike me for saying this -- but you should figure all that stuff out FIRST before having sold it. Know the process for your state. Have a plan. Know what types of payments you'll take and HOW you will handle them. Contact the DMV (or website) of your state and see if they have info. Again, I can't imagine that it's any harder than Bill of Sale, Title signed, and certified funds.Thanks for the reply, but I am looking for someone who has done this in CA to cover additional requirements and not just someone who is imagining/speculating. I am already well aware of collecting money, bill of sale and title transfer. The stickier parts I want to make sure of are understanding my obligations related to smog and making sure I perform those obligations in an optimal way so buyers do not have to get smog for another two years. I also want to identify proper procedure to make sure I have removed all liability by making sure they start the title transfer process. Obviously I will call DMV when they open and aks them, but am hoping for a CA reply. So while I appreciate your effort, it is not helpful since you have no CA knowledge on the matter. Parting shot was really not needed though. Sale is moving alot faster than anticipated, but basic plan is in place, I am prepared, it is these final details that I did not think of until now is all.

1. Yes, YOU need to smog the RV. 2. If you have AAA, you can do the transfer right there. But, with an appointment at DMV, you will have no wait. 3. You can also just fill out the title, a release of reliability, and print out a bill of sell. No need to go anywhere. California is one the easiest places to transfer titles. Some states require a notary stamp. We don't.

jdc1 wrote:1. Yes, YOU need to smog the RV. 2. If you have AAA, you can do the transfer right there. But, with an appointment at DMV, you will have no wait. 3. You can also just fill out the title, a release of reliability, and print out a bill of sell. No need to go anywhere. California is one the easiest places to transfer titles. Some states require a notary stamp. We don't.Thanks. My current registration is good to end of June. Any renewal would need a smog. Do you know, if I go get a smog certificate now, would that cover the renewal for June? 1 for new buyers...IE would they be covered for two years? 2 if sale falls through, could I use the smog certificate I get today or tomorrow, for a registration renewal that will likely come in the mail end of this month.I am on the fence if I would want to go to DMV with buyers to complete the transfer...I'd like to see it through, but not spending time at the DMV is good too.Thanks for the info

Nevada is trying its best to be like California in many ways. No notary stamp was needed when I sold my TT to a Reno dealer. All I had to do was endorse the title and hand it over for a check in return and sign a short easy to read bill of sale prepared by dealer with no gibberish or tricks. At a recent RV show he was not happy with the price he paid me over 5 years ago but the TT was in very good condition when he bought it from me. I said he could scratch his and be glad. He remembered me as a fellow former Texan. Too Bad.

Selling RV, urgent help needed on proper process California

jdc1
Explorer II
Apr 05, 2022
jeff92804 wrote:
I think I found my smog answer: What happens if my vehicle passes the Smog Check?
If your vehicle passes, the station will provide you a vehicle inspection report showing your vehicle’s results and will electronically send the smog certificate to DMV. The smog certificate is valid for 90 days.

90 days from now would get me to my renewal date even if sale falls through.

Additional questions:

Am I under any obligation to make sure that buyers have gotten insurance before driving RV away? I plan to file release of liability before handing over keys.

Get a release of liability from the DMV site.. Fill it out. Send it in. You can also do it all online, in seconds. You will then NOT be responsible for anything from that point on.
Do NOT remove your plates (as someone has suggested), unless you have vanity plates yo want to use on another vehicle.
Do not worry about the smog in June. That will not be your responsibility.
Good luck with the sale.

Where would I put "AS IS" in the sale so no implied warranty? thanks
Leeblev
Explorer
Apr 05, 2022
I recently sold my DP MH on RV Trader. You need to make sure that you immediately, by computer, fill out a release of liability form on the DMV website. You possibly will have to do a smog test before reregistering it. I just found out that diesel propelled vehicles now have to have a smog test upon sale. I have no idea where that is done at. If I were you, I would go to DMV with the new owner to ensure immediate xfer. If not, that release of liability is very important. hope it helps
Lee
RetiredRealtorR
Explorer
Apr 05, 2022
Why not just call the DMV? I would think that they, more than anybody, would have all the information you need, am I not correct?
jeff92804
Explorer
Apr 05, 2022
RetiredRealtorRick wrote:
Why not just call the DMV? I would think that they, more than anybody, would have all the information you need, am I not correct?

Just for fun, try calling DMV see what you get
2oldman
Explorer II
Apr 05, 2022
RetiredRealtorRick wrote:
Why not just call the DMV? I would think that they, more than anybody, would have all the information you need, am I not correct?
They do have the information, online. But the phone is not the way to get it.
NamMedevac_70
Explorer II
Apr 05, 2022
"Just for fun, try calling DMV see what you get" Well said dude, NV DMV is just like Kalifornia DMV and this is reasons folks ask their questions on RV forums. Cheers
Grit_dog
Navigator
Apr 05, 2022
Sign over your title and the other required paperwork. Take your tags and don’t worry or care what the new owners do. You don’t have any liability once you do that.
toedtoes
Explorer III
Apr 05, 2022
fyrflie wrote:
A side note for any vehicle transfer in California.
The license plates on your registered vehicle are yours. Take them off of the vehicle and physically surrender them to the DMV. This forces the new owner to register the vehicle in their own name and in a timely matter. Simply submitting the title transfer online does not fully remove you from liability of the vehicle.
If you don’t take this step, the new owners can then operate the vehicle under your plates that are attached to your name. Toll evasion is the one issue that comes to mind but a crime committed can also wreak havoc for you.

This information was told to me by an employee at the DMV.

From the DMV website
Does the NRL (notice of transfer and release of liability) remove my name from the vehicle record?
No. Only the buyer’s application for transfer, using the endorsed title received from you, can remove your name from the vehicle record.

Per dmv.ca.gov:

Generally, license plates remain with the vehicle they were issued to. Certain types of plates (personalized environmental, special recognition, or special interest) can be reassigned to another vehicle upon request by the owner and payment of appropriate fees.

Sure, you can remove the plates, but the buyer may not be appreciative as they will not be able to legally drive the vehicle home without those plates. If you are that concerned, then go in to the dmv with the seller and do the transfer.
ol_Bombero-JC
Explorer
Apr 06, 2022
mleekamp wrote:

HOWEVER---I don't live in CA.

Wow - that says it all !!

HOWEVER---I *DO* live in Orange County, CA.

You didn't say gas or diesel. You (or the buyers) can have it smogged.
Theoretically, it's up to you. Take it to a test only station.

DMV - the buyers will pay sales tax and vehicle registration at the DMV. That is supposed to be within ten days.

Note: BE SURE you get the buyer's info (Name, address, etc.) to include on the notice of sale YOU will send to the DMV.

Blank forms available at any DMV and AAA (if you're a member).

I won't go into the "how to" part - for funds. Figure you already know that, and advice from folks from other states should apply.
(I would do same - the transfer of funds - at your bank).

Hope all goes well with your transaction!

On edit: *If* the buyer is taking the RV out of CA, there is no need to have a smog check or visit the DMV. Whatever is req'd by his home state would apply. Just make sure you notify the DMV of the sale with the new owner's non CA *residence* info. (so you are not obligated to have it smogged in CA and removed from the title).

BTW - poster in FL saying, "just call the DMV"....is hilarious, ROTFL

:)
RetiredRealtorR
Explorer
Apr 06, 2022
jeff92804 wrote:
RetiredRealtorRick wrote:
Why not just call the DMV? I would think that they, more than anybody, would have all the information you need, am I not correct?

Just for fun, try calling DMV see what you get

Maybe we're just spoiled here.

I can call the DMV and talk to a real live human within a minute or two, and never have I visited the DMV in person and had it take longer than 20 minutes from walking in the door to walking out.

I love efficiency. I guess St. Johns County Florida is the exception to the rule.