Selling RV, urgent help needed on proper process California

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.