Do utility and cargo trailers have titles in California?

Under California Vehicle Code § 5014.1, most commercial, utility, cargo, and boat trailers are enrolled in the Permanent Trailer Identification (PTI) program. By default, California DMV does not issue a paper Certificate of Title for PTI trailers unless the owner specifically requests one on Form REG 4017 and pays the title fee. Instead, the owner receives a Permanent Trailer Identification Card (registration) and a PTI plate. When sold, the buyer receives a signed Permanent Trailer Identification Card and a Bill of Sale.

What is the California Permanent Trailer Identification (PTI) program?

The California PTI program is a simplified registration system for non-recreational trailers and camp trailers. Instead of an annual registration sticker, a PTI trailer receives a permanent license plate and a service fee is assessed every five years. Trailers subject to PTI include utility trailers, flatbeds, cargo trailers, boat trailers, and equipment trailers.

How long do you have to transfer a trailer title in California?

Under California Vehicle Code § 5900, the seller must submit a Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability (Form REG 138 or online NRL) within 5 calendar days of sale to eliminate liability. Under CVC § 5902, the buyer must present the signed title or PTI card, Bill of Sale, and pay transfer fees and sales tax to the California DMV within 10 calendar days of the transfer.

Does a California trailer bill of sale need to be notarized?

The California DMV does not statutorily require a trailer bill of sale to be notarized if both parties sign the endorsed Certificate of Title or PTI card and Form REG 262/SBF-CA-TRL. However, having Section F notarized provides definitive proof of identity, protects against fraudulent claims, and is strongly advised for homemade trailers, trailers with missing titles, or private out-of-state transactions.

How much is sales tax on a private trailer sale in California?

California assesses a statewide 7.25% base sales and use tax, plus local district taxes (which range from 0.10% to 3.0%, resulting in total effective rates between 7.25% and 10.75% depending on the buyer's county and city of residence). The buyer pays this tax directly to the California DMV upon title and registration transfer within 10 days of purchase.

Free California Trailer Bill of Sale Form (DMV PTI 2026 PDF)

FORM SBF-CA-TRL Statutory Year: 2026

California Vehicle Code (CVC) §§ 1652, 5014.1 & 5900

STATE OF CALIFORNIA STATUTORY BILL OF SALE

Utility, Cargo, Boat & Equipment Trailer Bill of Sale

Compliant with California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) & PTI Title Standards

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS: That the undersigned Seller, for and in consideration of the total sales price set forth herein, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby formally acknowledged, does hereby bargain, sell, grant, transfer, and deliver unto the undersigned Buyer all legal rights, title, equity, and interest in and to the trailer described below, to have and to hold forever.

Section A: Jurisdiction & Location of Sale

State:

California County *:

Section B: Complete Trailer Identification & Permanent Trailer Identification (PTI) Specs

Model Year *

Make / Manufacturer *

Model Name / Number

Trailer Body Type *

Length (Ft)

Width (Ft)

# of Axles

CA PTI Plate #

Unladen Wt (Lbs)

GVWR (Lbs) *

Trailer Vehicle Identification Number (VIN / DMV Assigned ID) *:

Section C: Identification of Parties (Transferor & Transferee)

1. SELLER (Transferor Information) Physical address only

Full Legal Name *

Physical Address (No P.O. Box) *

City *

State

ZIP Code *

Phone Number

CA Driver License #

2. BUYER (Transferee Information) Must match DMV registration

Full Legal Name *

Physical Address (No P.O. Box) *

City *

State

ZIP Code *

Phone Number

Driver License #

Section D: Financial Consideration & Statutory Warranty Terms

Total Price (USD) *:

Date of Sale *:

Paid by: Cash Cashier's Check Wire Gift/Trade

Statutory "AS-IS" Warranty Disclaimer (California Commercial Code § 2316)

SOLD STRICTLY AS-IS, WHERE-IS: The Buyer agrees that this trailer is sold in its present "AS-IS, WHERE-IS" condition, WITH ALL FAULTS AND DEFECTS, WHETHER KNOWN OR UNKNOWN. Pursuant to California Commercial Code § 2316, the Seller disclaims all warranties, express or implied, including warranties of merchantability, structural fitness, or roadworthiness for any particular towing purpose. Seller disclaims all liability for frame integrity, axles, wheel hubs, tires, coupler hitch, or brake assemblies after delivery. Buyer acknowledges having inspected the trailer or having knowingly waived the right to inspect.

Section E: Authorized Signatures & Notice of Transfer Affidavit (CVC § 5900)

NOTICE OF TRANSFER (CVC § 5900): The Seller must file a Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability (Form REG 138 or online NRL) within 5 calendar days with the California DMV to be relieved of civil liability. I certify under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that I am the lawful owner with full legal authority to transfer this trailer free of all liens.

Seller (Transferor) Signature Must match DMV record

Signature: ✕

Seller Printed Name

Date

Buyer (Transferee) Signature For DMV Registration

Signature: ✕

Buyer Printed Name

Date

Section F: State of California Notary Public Acknowledgment / Jurat

STATE OF CALIFORNIA COUNTY OF:

A notary public or other officer completing this certificate verifies only the identity of the individual who signed the document to which this certificate is attached, and not the truthfulness, accuracy, or validity of that document. Subscribed and sworn to before me by the person(s) who appeared before me.

Notary Public Signature

MM/DD/YYYY

My Commission Expires

★ Affix Notary Seal
/ Stamp Here

FORM SBF-CA-TRL (Rev. 2026) • StateBillForms.com California Vehicle Code §§ 1652 & 5014.1 • Compliant with CA DMV PTI Standards PAGE 1 OF 1

Official Process

California DMV 3-Step Trailer Title & PTI Transfer Guide

Follow California statutory requirements under the California Vehicle Code (CVC) to properly transfer ownership of utility, cargo, boat, or equipment trailers and extinguish civil liability.

Execute Title & Form SBF-CA-TRL

If a paper Certificate of Title exists, the seller endorses Line 1. If enrolled in PTI without a paper title, the seller signs the Permanent Trailer Identification Card. Both parties sign this statutory 1-page Bill of Sale.

Seller Files 5-Day NRL (REG 138)

Pursuant to CVC § 5900, the seller must file a Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability (Form REG 138) online or by mail within 5 calendar days to permanently terminate parking, toll, and towing liability.

Buyer Registers within 10 Days

Under CVC § 5902, the buyer has 10 calendar days to submit the title/PTI card, bill of sale, and Application for Title (REG 343) to the California DMV, paying transfer fees and local sales use tax.

Statutory Summary

California Trailer & PTI Legal Requirements

Quick reference table outlining California DMV standards, PTI program rules, and statutory citations.

Requirement / Element	California Statutory Standard	Legal Authority
Governing Agency	California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)	CVC § 1652
Permanent Trailer ID (PTI)	Mandatory for commercial, utility, cargo, flatbed, and boat trailers; receives a permanent PTI plate	CVC § 5014.1
Paper Title Requirement	No paper title is issued for PTI trailers unless requested on Form REG 4017 with fee	CVC § 5014.1(c)
Coach / Fifth-Wheel Trailers	Park trailers and large travel coaches are excluded from PTI; require standard annual registration & titles	CVC § 635 & § 5014.1
Seller Liability Release	Mandatory filing of Form REG 138 (NRL) within 5 calendar days of sale	CVC § 5900
Buyer Transfer Window	Buyer must register and submit transfer paperwork within 10 calendar days	CVC § 5902
California Sales & Use Tax	7.25% statewide base tax + local district surtaxes (effective 7.25% to 10.75%) paid to DMV	Cal. Rev. & Tax Code § 6201

Frequently Asked Questions

California Trailer Bill of Sale & PTI Legal FAQs

Direct statutory answers to private trailer transactions, DMV requirements, and Permanent Trailer Identification (PTI) standards.