What it means to remove a car from DMV registration
Removing a vehicle from California DMV registration — called deregistration or cancellation of registration — means telling the state you no longer own or operate that car. The DMV stops sending you renewal notices, and you are no longer liable for registration fees. You may need to do this when you sell the car, donate it, have it destroyed, or move out of California.
You do not have to visit a DMV office in person for most deregistration requests. You can mail documents, use the online system if you meet certain conditions, or have a dealer handle it if you are trading in the vehicle. The process takes different forms depending on what happened to the car.
Key Takeaways
- Deregistration requires proof that you no longer own the vehicle — usually a bill of sale, donation receipt, or salvage documentation.
- If you sold the car, you must submit a Release of Liability form (REL 130) to protect yourself from future traffic tickets or accidents involving that vehicle.
- You can deregister online through the DMV website if the vehicle has no outstanding registration fees, no liens, and no safety or smog violations.
- If you are moving out of California, you must deregister before registering the car in another state.
- Mailing your deregistration request takes two to four weeks; online submission is faster but only works for vehicles that meet specific conditions.
When you must deregister a vehicle
You are required to deregister a car when you no longer own it or will not drive it in California. Common situations include selling it to another person, trading it in at a dealership, donating it to a charity, having it destroyed at a junkyard, or moving permanently out of state.
If you keep a registered vehicle but do not drive it for months, you still owe registration fees each year. Deregistration stops those fees. However, if you plan to drive the car again later in the same year, you may want to keep the registration active instead of deregistering and re-registering, since re-registration costs money and takes time.
If you have an outstanding loan on the car, the lender (called the lienholder) must approve deregistration. You cannot remove a vehicle from registration while someone else holds the title.
How to deregister online through the DMV website
The California DMV allows online deregistration through its website if your vehicle meets all of these conditions: no outstanding registration fees, no active liens, no safety or smog violations on file, and the vehicle is not reported as stolen. You will need your vehicle registration card and a valid California driver's license or ID.
Go to the DMV website, select "Register a Vehicle or Renew Registration," then look for the deregistration option. You will enter your vehicle identification number (VIN), license plate number, and registration information. The system will confirm whether your car is may be able to access. If it is, you can complete the deregistration in one session. The DMV will send you a confirmation email.
Online deregistration usually takes effect within one to three business days. This is the fastest route if your vehicle qualifies. If the system tells you that you cannot deregister online, you will need to use the mail or visit an office.
How to deregister by mail
To deregister by mail, you will need to send the DMV a completed process for Deregistration of Vehicle (form REG 138) along with proof that you no longer own the car. What proof you send depends on what happened to the vehicle.
If you sold the car to another person, include a copy of the bill of sale showing the sale date and the buyer's name. If you donated it, include the donation receipt from the charity. If the car was destroyed or junked, include the salvage documentation or destruction certificate from the junkyard. If you are moving out of state, you do not need additional proof — the form itself is enough.
You must also submit a Release of Liability form (REL 130) if you sold or transferred the car. This form tells the DMV that you are no longer responsible for the vehicle, protecting you from liability if the new owner gets a traffic ticket, is in an accident, or commits a crime with the car. Without this form, you can remain liable for violations and fines.
Mail all documents to the address listed on the DMV website for your county. Include your current mailing address so the DMV can send you a confirmation. Deregistration by mail usually takes two to four weeks. Keep a copy of everything you send.
What happens when a dealer handles deregistration
If you trade in or sell your car to a dealership, the dealer often handles deregistration as part of the sale. Ask the dealer before you sign paperwork whether they will submit the deregistration for you. Most dealers do this automatically, but some require you to request it.
Even if the dealer says they will handle it, submit your own Release of Liability form (REL 130) to the DMV within 10 days of the sale. This protects you if the dealer's paperwork gets delayed or lost. You can mail the form or submit it online through the DMV website.
If you are trading in a vehicle with an outstanding loan, the dealer will coordinate with your lender to pay off the loan and transfer the title. You do not need to deregister the car yourself — the dealer and lender handle this together.
Protecting yourself after you sell or give away the car
The biggest risk after selling a car is remaining liable for what the new owner does with it. If the new owner gets a speeding ticket, parks illegally, or is in an accident, the citation or lawsuit can come to you because the DMV still has you listed as the registered owner.
To protect yourself, submit the Release of Liability form (REL 130) to the DMV within 10 days of the sale or transfer. You can mail it, submit it online, or deliver it in person at a DMV office. The form tells the state that you no longer own the vehicle and are not responsible for it.
Keep a copy of the bill of sale and the Release of Liability confirmation from the DMV. If a ticket or citation arrives after you have submitted the Release of Liability, you can show the DMV the confirmation and ask them to dismiss it.
Scam alert: Do not pay anyone to deregister your car for you. The DMV does not charge a fee for deregistration, and private services that offer to handle it are unnecessary. You can do it yourself for free by mail or online.
What to do if your vehicle has a lien
A lien means a bank, credit union, or other lender holds the title to your car because you still owe money on a loan. You cannot deregister a vehicle with an active lien without the lienholder's permission.
Contact your lender and ask them to release the lien. Once they do, they will send you the title or notify the DMV directly that the lien is removed. After the lien is released, you can deregister the vehicle using any of the methods described above.
If you are paying off the loan, ask your lender how long it takes for them to release the lien after you make the final payment. Some lenders release it within days; others take weeks. Do not assume the lien is released just because you have paid off the loan — contact your lender to confirm.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to deregister my car if I am moving out of California?
Yes. You must deregister your California registration before you register the car in another state. Most states will not issue a new registration without proof that the previous registration has been cancelled. You can deregister online, by mail, or at a DMV office before you move.
What if I lost the bill of sale from when I sold the car?
Contact the person who bought the car and ask them to provide a copy of the bill of sale or sign a new one. If you cannot reach the buyer, you can submit a written statement to the DMV explaining that you sold the car and the date of the sale. Include any other proof you have, such as a bank deposit showing the payment or text messages confirming the sale.
How long does it take to deregister a car?
Online deregistration takes one to three business days. Deregistration by mail takes two to four weeks. If you visit a DMV office in person, it can be processed the same day, though wait times vary by location.
Can I deregister a car that still has registration time left on it?
Yes. You can deregister at any time, even if your registration does not expire for months. You will not receive a refund for the unused registration time, but you will stop receiving renewal notices and will not owe fees for the following year.
What if I deregister my car and then want to drive it again later?
You will need to re-register the vehicle with the DMV. You can do this online or by mail using the standard registration process. Re-registration costs the same as a new registration and requires current proof of insurance, smog certification (if the car is old enough to require it), and a vehicle inspection in some cases.