BillOfSaleNow

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Create Los Angeles, California Electric Vehicle Bill of Sale Online

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

Los Angeles, CaliforniaElectric VehiclePopulation rank #2

What to include

  • Buyer and seller names and addresses
  • Electric Vehicle 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

Electric Vehicle market data and safety information

The most common electric vehicle makes in private-party sales are Tesla, Chevrolet, Ford, Rivian, Hyundai. Average private-party electric vehicle prices range from $12,000–$60,000. The average NCAP safety rating for recent electric vehicle models is 4.6 out of 5 stars. Electric vehicles average 2.8 NHTSA recalls per model across categories including Battery/High Voltage, Software/OTA Updates, Charging System.

Safety checkpoints for buying a used electric vehicle

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

  • Check battery State of Health (SOH) — capacity degradation below 70% significantly reduces value
  • Verify full charge range matches manufacturer specifications for the model year
  • Test DC fast charging capability — some older EVs have degraded charge acceptance
  • Check for any battery recall or warranty coverage status

Electric Vehicle insurance and depreciation in California

EV insurance costs 10–25% more than comparable gas cars due to higher repair costs and battery replacement risk. EV depreciation is volatile — Tesla holds value best, while some models lose 50–60% in 3 years. Battery warranty transfer is a key value factor. Peak season for private electric vehicle sales is spring when gas prices typically rise and ev incentive programs refresh, with an average of 28 days on market.

Electric Vehicle registration and titling

Electric Vehicles are classified as "Passenger vehicle (EV-specific registration fees apply in 30+ states to offset lost fuel tax revenue)" for registration purposes. EVs weigh 20–30% more than comparable gas vehicles due to battery packs. Some states have proposed weight-based surcharges. Federal odometer disclosure is required for electric vehicles under 20 years old.

Electric Vehicle sales in Los Angeles, California

Los Angeles residents completing a electric vehicle 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 electric vehicle makes in California include Tesla, Chevrolet, Ford.

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 electric vehicle 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 electric vehicle 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 electric vehicle 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.