LICENSED BY CA DMV · LIC #44998
Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability,
File Online Today.
California law requires sellers to notify the DMV within 5 calendar days of a vehicle sale. Submit your NRL electronically and receive a confirmation of filing for your records — no DMV office visit required.
California DMV Compliant·Electronic Filing·Confirmation Provided·Processed Within 1 Business Day
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California Vehicle Code requires NRL submission within 5 calendar days of sale. Until filed, you remain liable for violations, citations, and civil claims involving the vehicle.
Thousands of California vehicle sellers have used USACarTags to file their NRL electronically. Your confirmation is on file the same business day.
What you remain liable for until your NRL is on file
- Parking citations and traffic violations issued after the sale date remain your legal responsibility until the DMV receives your NRL
- Civil litigation arising from incidents involving the vehicle after the date of transfer may still name you as the owner of record
- Registration renewal notices will continue to be sent to you for a vehicle you no longer own
In the event of a suit or complaint, the court determines whether you complied with the law. Filing your NRL is the only way to establish that you met your legal obligation.
Four steps. Completed in minutes.
Step 1
Enter your vehicle information
Your license plate or VIN. We retrieve your vehicle details from DMV records automatically where available.
Step 2
Enter sale and new owner details
New owner's name and address, date of sale, odometer reading, and sale price.
Step 3
We submit your NRL to the California DMV
Your filing is submitted electronically. Vehicle records are updated within 1 business day of DMV receipt.
Step 4
Receive your confirmation
A filing confirmation is sent to your email. This confirmation serves as your legal proof of submission. Retain it for your records.
Have this information ready before you begin
- License plate number or CF vessel number
- Last 5 digits of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
- New owner's name and address (you may enter "unknown" if not available)
- Odometer reading at time of sale
- Date of sale
Tip: If your license plate returns a match in our system, your vehicle information is filled in automatically.
Understanding the scope of your liability protection
Once the California DMV receives and processes your NRL:
- Parking violations and traffic citations issued after the reported sale date become the legal responsibility of the subsequent owner
- Civil liability for incidents involving the vehicle after the date of transfer shifts to the subsequent owner
- Registration renewal notices for the vehicle will no longer be issued to you
Important — read before filing:
Submitting an NRL does not constitute a transfer of ownership and does not remove your name from the vehicle record. To permanently transfer the vehicle record, the new owner must complete all applicable transfer requirements and pay the required DMV fees. Only the buyer's title transfer application can remove your name from the vehicle record.
Your liability does not end at the point of sale — it ends when the DMV has your notice on file
Submit your Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability electronically today. Receive a confirmation of filing for your records and remove your exposure to post-sale violations, citations, and civil claims.
California only · Electronic filing · DMV-compliant · Confirmation provided upon submission · Processed within 1 business day
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about filing your California Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability.