What a Release of Liability Does and Why You Need One
A Release of Liability is a form you file with the California DMV to tell them you no longer own a vehicle. Once the DMV receives and processes it, you are no longer responsible for parking tickets, traffic violations, accidents, or registration fees on that car — even if the new owner never registers it in their name.
Without filing this form, you remain the registered owner on the DMV's records. If the buyer gets into an accident, racks up tolls, or parks illegally, those citations and liability can come back to you. Filing protects you from being held responsible for what happens to the car after you hand over the keys.
California law does not require you to file a Release of Liability, but the DMV strongly recommends it. If you sell the car privately (not to a dealer), filing is your main protection against future liability.
Key Takeaways
- You must file Form REG 138 (Release of Liability) with the California DMV within 5 days of selling your vehicle to protect yourself from future liability.
- You can file online through the DMV website, by mail, or in person at a DMV office — online is the fastest option.
- Include the buyer's name and address if you have it, but you can still file even if you only have partial information about the new owner.
- If the buyer never registers the car and it gets towed or impounded, you may still receive notices — filing the Release of Liability is your proof you sold it.
- If you sell to a licensed dealer, they handle the paperwork, but if you sell privately, filing is your responsibility.
When You Must File and the 5-Day Window
You should file your Release of Liability within 5 days of the sale. This is not a hard legal important date with penalties, but it is the window the DMV uses to protect you. The sooner you file, the sooner the DMV stops treating you as the owner.
If you wait weeks or months, you are still protected once you file — but during that gap, you could receive notices about the car. Filing quickly prevents confusion and ensures the DMV's records match reality as soon as possible.
If you sell to a licensed car dealer, they are responsible for filing the paperwork and transferring the title. You do not need to file a Release of Liability in that case. If you sell privately to another person, filing is your job.
How to File Online, by Mail, or In Person
The fastest way to file is online through the California DMV website. Go to dmv.ca.gov, find the Release of Liability section, and complete Form REG 138 digitally. You will need your vehicle identification number (VIN), license plate number, and the sale date. If you have the buyer's name and address, include it — but you can file without it.
You can also mail the completed Form REG 138 to the DMV. Print the form from dmv.ca.gov, fill it out by hand, and mail it to the address listed on the form. Mail takes longer — typically 2 to 3 weeks for the DMV to process — so online is preferable if you want confirmation quickly.
A third option is to visit a DMV office in person and file the form at the counter. Bring your driver's license, the vehicle's title (if you still have it), and the completed form. In-person filing gives you a receipt on the spot, though you may wait in line.
What Information You Need to Provide
To file a Release of Liability, gather the following details about the vehicle: the VIN (found on the title, registration, or dashboard), the license plate number, and the date you sold it. These three pieces of information are required.
Information about the buyer is helpful but not required. If you have the buyer's name, address, and phone number, include it — this helps the DMV track the vehicle and contact the new owner if needed. If you only know the buyer's first name or have no contact information, you can still file. The form has space for partial information.
You do not need the title, bill of sale, or any other document to file the Release of Liability online. If you are filing by mail or in person, bring whatever documents you have, but the form itself is the main requirement.
What Happens After You File
Once the DMV receives your Release of Liability, they process it and update their records to show you are no longer the owner. Online filings are usually processed within 1 to 2 weeks. Mail filings take 2 to 3 weeks. You will receive a confirmation notice in the mail.
After the DMV processes your filing, you are protected from liability for that vehicle. If the new owner gets a ticket or is in an accident, those notices go to them, not you. If the car is towed or impounded, the tow yard will contact the registered owner — which will now be the buyer, not you.
Keep your confirmation notice. If you later receive a notice about the car, you can show the confirmation as proof that you filed the Release of Liability and are no longer responsible.
What to Do If You Never Receive Confirmation
If you filed online and do not receive a confirmation notice within 3 weeks, log into your DMV online account to check the status. You can also call the DMV at 1-800-777-0133 to ask whether your filing was received and processed.
If you filed by mail and hear nothing after 4 weeks, contact the DMV by phone or visit an office in person. Bring a copy of the form you mailed (if you kept one) so the DMV can look it up in their system.
If the DMV says they never received your filing, you can file again. Online is the safest method because you get when ready confirmation that the form was submitted.
Scam Alert: Fake Release of Liability Forms and Services
Do not pay a third-party website or service to file your Release of Liability. The California DMV form is free, and filing is free. Scammers sometimes advertise "fast Release of Liability filing" or "may provide processing" and charge $20 to $50 for something you can do yourself in minutes.
Only use the official California DMV website (dmv.ca.gov) or visit a DMV office in person. If a website asks for payment to file a Release of Liability, it is not affiliated with the state, and your money may be wasted.
Be cautious of emails claiming to be from the DMV asking you to "verify" your Release of Liability or confirm vehicle information. The DMV does not send unsolicited emails asking for personal details. If you are unsure whether an email is real, go directly to dmv.ca.gov or call 1-800-777-0133.
What Happens If You Never File
If you sell your car and never file a Release of Liability, you remain the registered owner in the DMV's system. If the buyer does not register the car in their name, or if they register it but then let the registration lapse, you could receive notices about the vehicle.
Parking tickets, toll violations, and registration renewal notices may come to your address. You would have to contact the DMV or the relevant agency to prove you sold the car and are not responsible. This is why filing protects you — it creates an official record that you transferred ownership.
If the car is towed or impounded and the buyer never registered it, the tow yard may contact you as the registered owner. You would have to explain that you sold it and provide proof (such as a bill of sale or your Release of Liability confirmation). Filing the Release of Liability prevents this hassle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I file a Release of Liability if I lost the title?
Yes. You do not need the title to file a Release of Liability. The form only requires the VIN, license plate number, and sale date. If you need a replacement title later, you can request one from the DMV separately, but it is not necessary to file the Release of Liability.
What if the buyer never registers the car in their name?
File the Release of Liability anyway. Your filing creates an official DMV record that you sold the vehicle and transferred ownership. If the car is later towed or cited, you can show your Release of Liability confirmation as proof you are not responsible. The buyer's failure to register does not affect your protection once you have filed.
Do I need a bill of sale to file a Release of Liability?
No. A bill of sale is a separate document between you and the buyer that proves the sale occurred. The Release of Liability is a form you file with the DMV. You do not need one to file the other, though having a bill of sale is good practice for your own records.
Can I file if I sold the car to a private buyer but do not know their name?
Yes. The buyer's information is optional. If you only remember the sale date and have the VIN and license plate, that is enough to file. The DMV prefers buyer information so they can contact the new owner, but the form will process without it.
How long does it take for the DMV to process my Release of Liability?
Online filings are usually processed within 1 to 2 weeks, and you will receive a confirmation notice by mail. Mail filings take 2 to 3 weeks. If you file in person at a DMV office, you get a receipt when ready, but the official processing still takes a few days.