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Fresno, California Heavy Equipment Bill of Sale

Use this bill of sale when selling a heavy equipment in Fresno, California. It documents the transfer and helps you complete DMV title paperwork.

Fresno, CaliforniaHeavy EquipmentPopulation rank #30

What to include

  • Buyer and seller names and addresses
  • Heavy Equipment VIN and vehicle details
  • Sale price and date
  • Signatures from both parties

Next step

Create a compliant bill of sale and download the signed PDF immediately.

Local Requirements — Fresno County

DMV / Title Office

DMV Fresno – North Office

Address

665 W Shaw Ave, Fresno, CA 93704

Phone

(800) 777-0133

Office Hours

Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–5:00 PM (Thu until 6:00 PM)

Transfer Fees & Taxes

Title Transfer Fee

$23.00

Sales Tax Rate

8.975%

Base Registration Fee

$46.00

California state base 7.25% + Fresno County 0.975% district tax + Fresno city 0.75%

Notarization: NOT REQUIRED

California does not require notarization for vehicle transfers. Seller must file REG 138 within 5 days of sale.

Fresno Transfer Checklist

  • Submit Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability (REG 138) within 5 days
  • Buyer must transfer title within 10 days to avoid penalties
  • Smog certificate required for vehicles more than 4 model years old
  • Both parties should keep a copy of the bill of sale

County Information — Fresno County

County Clerk / Recorder

Fresno County Clerk

Phone

(559) 600-3480

Heavy Equipment market data and safety information

The most common heavy equipment makes in private-party sales are Caterpillar, John Deere, Komatsu, Volvo, Case. Average private-party heavy equipment prices range from $10,000–$300,000. Heavy equipments average 0.7 NHTSA recalls per model across categories including Hydraulic System, Electrical, ROPS/FOPS.

Safety checkpoints for buying a used heavy equipment

Before completing a heavy equipment bill of sale in California, verify these safety items:

  • Verify ROPS/FOPS (Rollover/Falling Object Protective Structure) certification
  • Check engine hours — the primary value indicator for heavy equipment
  • Inspect undercarriage condition (tracks, rollers, idlers) on tracked machines
  • Test all hydraulic functions through full range of motion

Heavy Equipment insurance and depreciation in California

Equipment floater or inland marine policy required. Costs vary widely: $500–$5,000/year depending on value and use. Caterpillar and Komatsu machines hold value well — 50–60% retention after 5,000 hours. Peak season for private heavy equipment sales is spring when construction season begins, with an average of 60 days on market.

Heavy Equipment registration and titling

Heavy Equipments are classified as "Construction equipment (not registered for road use; transported on flatbed/lowboy)" for registration purposes. Heavy equipment is valued by engine hours, not mileage. Machines over 80,000 lbs require special transport permits. Federal odometer disclosure does not apply to heavy equipments.

Heavy Equipment sales in Fresno, California

Fresno residents completing a heavy equipment bill of sale should be aware of local requirements in addition to California state rules. The state sales tax rate is 7.25%, 7.25% base; county/city adds 0.25–3.25% (total up to 10.75%). The most popular heavy equipment makes in California include Caterpillar, John Deere, Komatsu.

California bill of sale statistics

BillOfSaleNow has generated 14,217 bill of sale documents for California transactions, with 382 generated this month alone. The most popular vehicle type is car.

Why Documentation Helps Protect Asking Price

45% faster sale

Vehicles whose listings include a history report spend ~45% less time on site before selling, and report-viewers are 5x more likely to become a lead.

Source: Experian / AutoCheck

$4,000 avg loss

NHTSA estimates 450,000+ vehicles per year are sold with rolled-back odometers — the average victim loses about $4,000 in downstream repair costs.

Source: NHTSA

17.5M private sales/yr

About 17.5 million private-party vehicle transactions happen in the U.S. each year — roughly 47% of the used market.

Source: Cox Automotive 2024

1 in 3 buyers

Roughly 1 in 3 used-car buyers say they suspect private sellers are hiding mechanical problems — documentation closes that trust gap.

Source: JW Surety Bonds (n=3,000)

Frequently asked questions

What county is Fresno in, and which office handles title transfers?

Fresno is in Fresno County. Title transfers are handled by the DMV Fresno – North Office at 665 W Shaw Ave, Fresno, CA 93704. Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–5:00 PM (Thu until 6:00 PM). Phone: (800) 777-0133.

What is the sales tax rate on a heavy equipment sale in Fresno?

The combined rate is 8.975%. California state base 7.25% + Fresno County 0.975% district tax + Fresno city 0.75%.

Is notarization required for a heavy equipment bill of sale in Fresno?

No. California does not require notarization for vehicle transfers. Seller must file REG 138 within 5 days of sale.

What fees should I expect when transferring a heavy equipment title in Fresno?

Title transfer fee: $23.00. Base registration fee: $46.00. Sales tax at 8.975% is collected at the time of title transfer.