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Riverside, California Car Bill of Sale

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

Riverside, CaliforniaCarPopulation rank #56

What to include

  • Buyer and seller names and addresses
  • Car 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 — Riverside County

DMV / Title Office

DMV Riverside Office

Address

6296 Rivercrest Dr, Suite K, Riverside, CA 92507

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

8.75%

Base Registration Fee

$46.00

California state base 7.25% + Riverside County 1.0% + Riverside city 0.5%

Notarization: NOT REQUIRED

California does not require notarization for vehicle transfers.

Riverside Transfer Checklist

  • Submit REG 138 within 5 days of sale
  • Buyer must transfer title within 10 days
  • Smog certificate required for vehicles more than 4 model years old
  • Both parties should keep a copy of the bill of sale

County Information — Riverside County

County Clerk / Recorder

Riverside County Clerk

Phone

(951) 486-7000

Car market data and safety information

The most common car makes in private-party sales are Toyota, Honda, Ford, Chevrolet, Nissan. Average private-party car prices range from $5,000–$25,000. The average NCAP safety rating for recent car models is 4.2 out of 5 stars. Cars average 3.1 NHTSA recalls per model across categories including Airbags (Takata), Power Train, Fuel System.

Safety checkpoints for buying a used car

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

  • Verify airbag recall status (Takata recall affected 67M+ vehicles)
  • Check tire age — tires over 6 years old degrade regardless of tread depth
  • Confirm brake pad thickness and rotor condition
  • Test all seatbelts for proper retraction and latching

Car insurance and depreciation in California

Liability insurance required in 49 states (New Hampshire is the exception). Average annual premium: $1,600–$2,200. Cars lose approximately 20% of value in the first year and 60% over five years. Japanese brands retain value best. Peak season for private car sales is spring (march–may) when tax refunds boost demand, with an average of 21 days on market.

Car registration and titling

Cars are classified as "Passenger vehicle" for registration purposes. Standard passenger cars weigh 2,500–4,500 lbs; no special weight-class registration required. Federal odometer disclosure is required for cars under 20 years old.

Car sales in Riverside, California

Riverside residents completing a car 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 car makes in California include Toyota, Honda, 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 Riverside in, and which office handles title transfers?

Riverside is in Riverside County. Title transfers are handled by the DMV Riverside Office at 6296 Rivercrest Dr, Suite K, Riverside, CA 92507. 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 car sale in Riverside?

The combined rate is 8.75%. California state base 7.25% + Riverside County 1.0% + Riverside city 0.5%.

Is notarization required for a car bill of sale in Riverside?

No. California does not require notarization for vehicle transfers.

What fees should I expect when transferring a car title in Riverside?

Title transfer fee: $23.00. Base registration fee: $46.00. Sales tax at 8.75% is collected at the time of title transfer.