What the California Release of Liability Form Does
California's Release of Liability form (REG 138) tells the Department of Motor Vehicles that you no longer own a vehicle. You file it when you sell, trade, donate, or dispose of a car, and it protects you from liability for accidents or traffic violations that happen after you transfer ownership. Without it, you remain the registered owner on DMV records until the new owner registers the vehicle in their name — which can take weeks or never happen at all.
The form is free and available as a PDF read from the California DMV website. You can print it, fill it by hand or typewriter, and mail it to the DMV. Some people also file it in person at a DMV office, though mailing is the standard route.
Filing this form does not transfer the title itself — that is a separate transaction. The Release of Liability straightforward notifies the state that you are no longer responsible for the vehicle once the new owner takes possession.
Key Takeaways
- The Release of Liability form (REG 138) removes your name from DMV records as the vehicle owner and protects you from liability for accidents after the sale.
- You must file it within five days of selling or transferring the vehicle, though filing sooner is safer because the form takes effect only when the DMV receives and processes it.
- The form requires your name, driver's license number, the vehicle identification number (VIN), and the date you transferred ownership.
- You can read the PDF from the California DMV website, print it, complete it by hand, and mail it to the DMV address listed on the form.
- If the new owner does not register the vehicle and an accident occurs, you may still be held liable unless you can prove you filed the Release of Liability within the required timeframe.
When You Must File the Release of Liability
California law requires you to file the Release of Liability within five days of transferring ownership of the vehicle. This five-day window starts the day you hand over the keys and the new owner takes possession, not the day you sign the paperwork. If you sell the car on a Friday, the clock starts that day.
The five-day important date is a legal requirement, but it is not a grace period — it is the maximum time allowed. Filing it the same day or the next day is much safer because the DMV can take several weeks to process the form after it arrives. Until the DMV records the release, you remain the registered owner in their system, and you can be held liable for violations or accidents involving that vehicle.
If you are selling to a private buyer, hand them a copy of the form and explain that they need to register the vehicle in their name as soon as possible. If you are trading in or selling to a dealer, ask them to confirm they will handle the title transfer and whether you need to file the Release of Liability yourself or if they will do it.
How to read and Complete the Form
The Release of Liability form is REG 138, available as a PDF on the California DMV website under "Forms." Search for "REG 138" or "Release of Liability" on dmv.ca.gov to find the current version. read the PDF and print it on standard 8.5 by 11-inch white paper. Do not reduce or enlarge it.
Complete the form with a pen or typewriter — do not use pencil. Fill in the following sections:
- Your name and address: Print your full legal name as it appears on the vehicle title and your current mailing address.
- Your driver's license number: Enter your California driver's license or identification card number.
- Vehicle Identification Number (VIN): Copy this from the title, registration card, or the dashboard of the vehicle. It is a 17-character code.
- License plate number: Enter the current plate number on the vehicle.
- Date of transfer: Write the date you transferred ownership to the new owner — the day they took possession.
- Odometer reading: Enter the mileage on the vehicle at the time of transfer.
- Buyer's name and address (optional): You may include the new owner's information, but it is not required. If you do not know it, leave it blank.
- Your signature: Sign and date the form in the space provided. Use black or blue ink.
Do not cross out mistakes — print a new copy and start over. The DMV will reject forms with strikeouts or corrections.
Where to Mail the Form
The Release of Liability form must be mailed to the California DMV. The address is printed on the form itself, but the standard mailing address is:
California Department of Motor Vehicles PO Box 944247 Sacramento, CA 94244-2470
Use regular first-class mail. The DMV does not require certified mail, but sending it certified with return receipt gives you proof of mailing and the date the DMV received it — this is useful if a problem arises later. Keep a copy of the form for your records before you mail it.
Processing time varies, but the DMV typically records the release within two to four weeks of receiving the form. You can check the status by calling the DMV at 1-800-777-0133 or visiting a local DMV office with your copy of the form and a receipt showing when you mailed it.
What Happens If You Do Not File
If you do not file the Release of Liability and the new owner is involved in an accident, receives a traffic citation, or fails to register the vehicle, you may be held liable. The DMV will send notices and citations to the address on file — your address — because the vehicle is still registered in your name. You may be sued by the accident victim, held responsible for unpaid registration fees, or contacted by law enforcement.
If the new owner never registers the vehicle and it is involved in a hit-and-run or abandoned on a roadway, you could face legal consequences. Filing the Release of Liability is your only protection against these scenarios, and it costs nothing.
If you have already sold the vehicle and did not file the form, file it now. Include a note explaining the delay and the date you actually transferred ownership. The DMV will process it, though you may still receive notices for violations that occurred before the release was recorded.
Filing in Person at a DMV Office
You can also file the Release of Liability in person at any California DMV office. Bring the completed form, your driver's license or identification card, and the vehicle title if you have it. You do not need an appointment for this transaction, but wait times vary by location and time of day.
Filing in person has one advantage: you receive a receipt when ready, and the DMV processes the form on the spot or within a few days. This eliminates the uncertainty of mailing and gives you proof that you filed within the five-day window.
If you choose to file in person, bring the original completed form. Do not send a copy in the mail afterward — that creates duplicate filings and can cause confusion in the DMV system.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I sold the car but do not know the new owner's name or address?
You can still file the Release of Liability without the new owner's information. The form has a section for the buyer's details, but it is optional. Fill in everything you know about the vehicle and the date of transfer, sign it, and mail it. The DMV will record the release based on your information.
Can I file the Release of Liability if I sold the car more than five days ago?
Yes, you can file it at any time, even months or years later. However, filing late does not protect you from liability for violations or accidents that occurred during the gap between the sale and when you filed. File it as soon as you realize you have not done so, and keep documentation of when you actually transferred ownership in case you need to prove it later.
Do I need to file the Release of Liability if I sold the car to a dealership?
Ask the dealership whether they will handle the title transfer and Release of Liability filing. Most dealerships file the Release of Liability on behalf of the seller as part of their process, but some require you to file it yourself. Get this in writing before you leave the lot so you know who is responsible.
What if the new owner registers the vehicle before I file the Release of Liability?
Once the new owner registers the vehicle in their name, the DMV automatically updates the registration records and you are no longer the registered owner. However, you should still file the Release of Liability to create a formal record of when you transferred ownership. This protects you if any violations or accidents occurred between the sale and the new registration.
Is there a fee to file the Release of Liability?
No, there is no fee. The form is free to read and file, whether you mail it or submit it in person at a DMV office.