BillOfSaleNow

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Los Angeles, California Bus Bill of Sale

Use this bill of sale when selling a bus in Los Angeles, California. It documents the transfer and helps you complete DMV title paperwork.

Los Angeles, CaliforniaBusPopulation rank #2

What to include

  • Buyer and seller names and addresses
  • Bus 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 — Los Angeles County

DMV / Title Office

DMV Los Angeles – Downtown

Address

3615 S Hope St, Los Angeles, CA 90007

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

$15.00

Sales Tax Rate

10.25%

Base Registration Fee

$46.00

Los Angeles city rate: 9.50% state + county base plus 0.75% city district tax

Notarization: NOT REQUIRED

California does not require notarization for a standard vehicle bill of sale; a REG 135 or written bill of sale with both signatures is sufficient.

Los Angeles Transfer Checklist

  • Submit a Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability (REG 138) to the CA DMV within 5 days of sale
  • Seller must sign the title certificate and provide odometer disclosure
  • Buyer has 10 days to transfer title; $15 title transfer fee due at DMV
  • Smog certificate required for most vehicles older than 4 model years

County Information — Los Angeles County

County Clerk / Recorder

Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder

Phone

(562) 462-2177

Website

https://www.lavote.gov

Bus market data and safety information

The most common bus makes in private-party sales are Blue Bird, Thomas Built, IC Bus, Freightliner, Ford (shuttle). Average private-party bus prices range from $5,000–$100,000. Buss average 3.2 NHTSA recalls per model across categories including Brakes, Engine, Electrical.

Safety checkpoints for buying a used bus

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

  • Verify DOT inspection history — buses have stricter inspection requirements than passenger vehicles
  • Check emergency exit operation for all doors, windows, and roof hatches
  • Inspect brake system including air brake components and ABS function
  • Test all lighting, stop arms (school bus), and warning systems

Bus insurance and depreciation in California

Bus insurance varies widely — $3,000–$15,000/year depending on use (shuttle, school, tour). Passenger capacity drives premiums. Retired school buses are cheap ($3,000–$10,000) and popular for conversion projects ("skoolies"). Coach buses retain value better. Peak season for private bus sales is summer when school districts auction retired buses, with an average of 45 days on market.

Bus registration and titling

Buss are classified as "Bus or Commercial motor vehicle — CDL required for 16+ passenger capacity" for registration purposes. School buses typically 14,500–36,000 lbs GVWR. Transit and coach buses can exceed 40,000 lbs. Federal odometer disclosure does not apply to buss.

Bus sales in Los Angeles, California

Los Angeles residents completing a bus 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 bus makes in California include Blue Bird, Thomas Built, IC Bus.

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 Los Angeles in, and which office handles title transfers?

Los Angeles is in Los Angeles County. Title transfers are handled by the DMV Los Angeles – Downtown at 3615 S Hope St, Los Angeles, CA 90007. 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 bus sale in Los Angeles?

The combined rate is 10.25%. Los Angeles city rate: 9.50% state + county base plus 0.75% city district tax.

Is notarization required for a bus bill of sale in Los Angeles?

No. California does not require notarization for a standard vehicle bill of sale; a REG 135 or written bill of sale with both signatures is sufficient.

What fees should I expect when transferring a bus title in Los Angeles?

Title transfer fee: $15.00. Base registration fee: $46.00. Sales tax at 10.25% is collected at the time of title transfer.