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San Francisco, California Pickup Truck Bill of Sale

Use this bill of sale when selling a pickup truck in San Francisco, California. It documents the transfer and helps you complete DMV title paperwork.

San Francisco, CaliforniaPickup TruckPopulation rank #16

What to include

  • Buyer and seller names and addresses
  • Pickup Truck 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 — San Francisco County

DMV / Title Office

California DMV – San Francisco

Address

1377 Fell St, San Francisco, CA 94117

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

8.625%

Base Registration Fee

$46.00

California state rate 7.25% + San Francisco district taxes 1.375%

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.

San Francisco 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 — San Francisco County

County Clerk / Recorder

San Francisco County Registrar-Recorder

Phone

(415) 557-4114

Pickup Truck market data and safety information

The most common pickup truck makes in private-party sales are Ford, Chevrolet, RAM, Toyota, GMC. Average private-party pickup truck prices range from $10,000–$55,000. The average NCAP safety rating for recent pickup truck models is 4.1 out of 5 stars. Pickup trucks average 3.6 NHTSA recalls per model across categories including Power Train, Fuel System, Steering.

Safety checkpoints for buying a used pickup truck

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

  • Inspect bed and tailgate for damage or rust-through
  • Check frame for corrosion — especially on salt-belt vehicles
  • Verify 4WD transfer case engagement and differential operation
  • Test towing electrical connector and brake controller if equipped

Pickup Truck insurance and depreciation in California

Pickup truck insurance averages $1,800–$2,800/year. Diesel models and lifted trucks cost more. Full-size pickups are the strongest value holders in the market — many retain 65–75% after 5 years. Peak season for private pickup truck sales is late spring and summer for work and recreation demand, with an average of 16 days on market.

Pickup Truck registration and titling

Pickup Trucks are classified as "Light truck (same classification as "truck" in most states)" for registration purposes. Half-ton pickups (1500 series) are under 8,500 lbs GVWR. Three-quarter-ton (2500) and one-ton (3500) models may require commercial plates in some states. Federal odometer disclosure is required for pickup trucks under 20 years old.

Pickup Truck sales in San Francisco, California

San Francisco residents completing a pickup truck 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 pickup truck makes in California include Ford, Chevrolet, RAM.

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 San Francisco in, and which office handles title transfers?

San Francisco is in San Francisco County. Title transfers are handled by the California DMV – San Francisco at 1377 Fell St, San Francisco, CA 94117. 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 pickup truck sale in San Francisco?

The combined rate is 8.625%. California state rate 7.25% + San Francisco district taxes 1.375%.

Is notarization required for a pickup truck bill of sale in San Francisco?

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 pickup truck title in San Francisco?

Title transfer fee: $15.00. Base registration fee: $46.00. Sales tax at 8.625% is collected at the time of title transfer.