8.080 Mail Order Sales

A dealer can mail the application copy of the Report of Sale-Used Vehicle (REG 51) to the mail order buyer, provided the delivery of the vehicle is not made at the place of business of the mail order firm.

8.075 Reporting Used Vehicle Sales to IRP Operators (VC §§5600 and 5901)

Sales of used commercial vehicles to apportioned operators who must declare the vehicles on an apportioned application are handled as title only or transfer only transactions.

In addition to the transfer requirements outlined in Chapter 11, Transfers, the following must be submitted.

• Complete the REG 51.
  • Boldly print “IRP” on the application copy of the REG 51.
• A Statement of Facts (REG 256) (PDF) completed as follows:
  • Check the Title Only box in Section C the Statement for Transfer Only or Title Only.
  • State how the vehicle was moved.
  • State that the vehicle is currently or will be registered as part of a California based IRP fleet or will be leased to an IRP operator, and include the IRP account number, name, and address of the fleet operator.
• Transfer fee.
  • Because this is already a Title Only, a Title Only fee is not collected.
  • Refer to Appendix 1F for fee information.
• Do not affix the buyer’s copy of the REG 51 to the vehicle.
  • The buyer must arrange for transport or move the vehicle on a One Trip Permit unless the sale is completed after delivery of the vehicle, in which case the vehicle can be delivered using dealer plates.
• Send buyer’s copy of the REG 51 with the 5-day notice and a copy of the REG 256 (PDF) to:

Department of Motor Vehicles
Incoming Mail MS A235
PO Box 944292
Sacramento, CA 94244-2920

• Retain the book copy of the REG 51 and a copy of the REG 256 (PDF) at the dealer’s primary place of business location.

Vehicles with a California “Title Only”

• Complete the REG 51.
  • Boldly print “IRP” on the application copy of the REG 51.
• A REG 256 (PDF) completed as follows:
  • Check the Title Only box in Section C the Statement for Transfer Only or Title Only.
  • State that the vehicle is currently or will be registered as part of a California based IRP fleet or will be leased to an IRP operator, and include the IRP account number, name, and address of the fleet operator.
• Transfer fee. Refer to Appendix 1F for fee information.
• Affix the buyer’s copy of the REG 51 to the vehicle.
• Submit the application copy of the REG 51 the transfer application.
• Send the 5-day notice of the REG 51 and a copy of the REG 256 (PDF) to:

Department of Motor Vehicles
Incoming Mail MS A235
PO Box 944292
Sacramento, CA 94244-2920

• Retain the book copy of the REG 51 and a copy of the REG 256 (PDF) at the dealer’s primary place of business location.

Vehicles with California title and expired California registration

• Complete the REG 51.
  • Boldly print “IRP” on the application copy of the REG 51.
• A REG 256 (PDF) completed as follows:
  • Check the Title Only box in Section C the Statement for Transfer Only or Title Only.
  • State how the vehicle was moved.
  • State that the vehicle is currently or will be registered as part of a California based IRP fleet or will be leased to an IRP operator, and include the IRP account number, name, and address of the fleet operator.
• If the vehicle is moved on a One trip permit, note the permit number on the REG 256 (PDF) or REG 51.
• Transfer fee. Refer to Appendix 1F for fee information.
• Do not affix the buyer’s copy of the REG 51 to the vehicle.
  • The buyer must arrange for transport or move the vehicle on a One trip permit unless the sale is completed after delivery of the vehicle, in which case the vehicle can be delivered using dealer plates.
• Submit the application copy of the REG 51 with the title only transfer application.
• Send buyer’s copy of the REG 51 with the 5 day notice and a copy of the REG 256 (PDF) to:

Department of Motor Vehicles
Incoming Mail MS A235
PO Box 944292
Sacramento, CA 94244-2920

• Retain the book copy of the REG 51 and a copy of the REG 256 (PDF) at the dealer’s primary place of business location.

8.065 Sales to Honorary Consuls

• Sales to an Honorary Consul are handled in the same manner as other vehicle sales.
• Honorary Consuls may apply for issuance of special Honorary Consul plates by DMV.
• Refer to Chapter 21, Special Plates for Honorary Consul plate requirements.

8.060 Sales to Consul Corps

Process a Consul Corps sale as a “Buyer Demands Certificate of Title” sale.

• Instruct the buyer to submit the application directly to the U.S. Department of State, Office of Foreign Missions, Diplomatic Motor Vehicle Program.
• All questions regarding registration of Consul Corp employees’ vehicles must be directed to the OFM-DMV@state.gov or Diplomatic Motor Vehicle Program – United States Department of State.

Northern California

Office of Foreign Missions
San Francisco Regional Office
235 Pine Street, Suite 1600
San Francisco, CA 94104
(415) 744-2910

Southern California

Office of Foreign Missions
Los Angeles Regional Office
10940 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1425
Los Angeles, CA 90024
(310) 235-6292

8.055 Buyer Demands the Certificate of Title

When a buyer demands title for a vehicle purchased free of any liens and the vehicle will remain in California:

• Complete the REG 51 as usual and mark it “customer demands title”.
• Enter the report of sale number on the back of the title in the applicable space of the dealer reassignment section.
• Give the buyer the title, any supporting documents, and a smog certification, if required.
• Have the buyer complete a REG 256 (PDF) stating the reason for demanding the title and confirming receipt of the title and transfer documents.

Note The wording for demanding title: “I demanded and received the certificate of title for the vehicle because. (the vehicle will be altered before being registered, or I want to do the transfer myself, etc.”).

Follow the chart to distribute the copies of the REG 51:

If the Vehicle Is	Then
If the Vehicle IsCurrently registered	ThenDisplay the customer’s operating copy of the REG 51 in the vehicle as usual. Mail the application copy of the REG 51 with the buyer’s REG 256 to DMV at the address shown on the REG 51.
If the Vehicle IsNot currently registered	ThenDo not display the customer’s operating copy on the vehicle. It must be transported or moved on a One Trip Permit (REG 402). Write “moved on trip permit number _______” or “delivered on dealer plates” on the operating copy of the REG 51. Mail the application copy of the REG 51 with the buyer’s REG 256 to DMV at the address shown on the REG 51. Note Dealers may use dealer plates to deliver the vehicle if the sale is consummated after delivery of the vehicle.

8.050 Used Vehicle Sold for Registration in Another State

When a used vehicle is sold for registration in another state:

• Complete the Report of Sale–Used Vehicle (REG 51) form and mark it “for registration in another state”.
• Complete a Statement of Facts (REG 256) (PDF) form explaining how the vehicle is being moved to the other state if the California registration is not valid.

Note The buyer must transport the vehicle or move it on a One Trip Permit (REG 402) unless California registration is current, or registration is obtained in the buyer’s home state prior to movement of the vehicle. Dealer plates cannot be used to move the vehicle.

Send the REG 256 (PDF) and all copies of the REG 51 except the book copy to:

Department of Motor Vehicles
Incoming Mail MS A235
PO Box 944292
Sacramento, CA 94244-2920

• Give the title and any supporting documents to the buyer if the vehicle was purchased free of any liens.
• Retain a copy of the REG 256 (PDF) with the book copy of the REG 51 for four years.

8.045 Vehicle Being Exported by Dealer

A dealer who is exporting a vehicle to another country by ship or air is required to have a title in the name of the dealership.

• A REG 32 (PDF) must be presented in person at a DMV office with the title and license plates when a dealer is exporting a vehicle.
• The dealer, as registered owner when the title is issued, must have acceptable photo identification, and sign the REG 32.
• A title endorsed to the dealer, a Salvage Certificate, and Application for Replacement or Transfer of Title (REG 227) (PDF) form, and an acquisition bill of sale are not acceptable as a clear title.

The dealer must:

• Submit the title to transfer the vehicle into the name of the dealership.
• Remove the license plates from the vehicle and submit them to DMV with the transfer application.
• Complete a REG 256 (PDF) indicating that the vehicle will be exported in the name of the dealership.
• After the title is issued, the dealer must appear in person with title and the completed REG 32.

8.040 Used Vehicle Sold for Export to Another Country

DMV requires owners to sign and present a Certification of Exportation (REG 32) form in person at a DMV office when the owner is exporting a vehicle to another country by ship or air.

All registered owners whose names on the title are joined by “and” or “a slash (/)” must:

• Appear in person.
• Have acceptable photo identification.
• Sign the REG 32.

The REG 32 may be signed by power-of-attorney.

• The attorney-in-fact must appear in person at a DMV office and submit either a power-of-attorney worded specifically for the purpose of completing the REG 32 or a general power-of-attorney.
• The DMV Power of Attorney (REG 260) (PDF) form and Vehicle/Vessel Transfer and Reassignment Form (REG 262), are not acceptable.
• The owner must have a clear Certificate of Title issued in their name for the vehicle being exported.
• If a lienholder is shown, a release of the lien on the title or a Lien Satisfied/Legal Owner/Title Holder Release (REG 166) (PDF) form is required.
• A title endorsed to the new owner, a Salvage Certificate, an Replacement for Duplicate or Transfer of Title (REG 227) (PDF), and an Acquisition Bill of sale are not acceptable as a clear title.

Dealer requirements to buyer purchasing used vehicle for export

When a buyer indicates they are purchasing a used vehicle to export to another country, a dealer must:

• Complete the REG 51 as usual. Mark all copies of the REG 51 “for export to another country”.
• Remove the license plates from the vehicle and submit them to DMV with the transfer application. If the vehicle is:
  • Currently registered, DMV may issue a Temporary Operating Permit (REG 19) for a limited amount of time to enable the buyer to move the vehicle to the dock.
  • Not currently registered, the buyer must obtain a one-trip permit.
• Attach the operating copy of the REG 51 to the 5-day notice sent to DMV headquarters.
  • Do not affix the operating copy to the vehicle.
  • The buyer must arrange for transport or move the vehicle on a One Trip Permit (REG 402 T) or Temporary Operating Permit (REG 19) unless the sale is completed after delivery of the vehicle in which case the vehicle can be delivered using dealer plates.
• Have the buyer complete a Statement of Facts (REG 256) (PDF) form explaining how the vehicle will be moved.
• If the vehicle is not currently registered, the buyer:
  • May complete Section C of the REG 256 (PDF) to apply for a “transfer only”, and
  • Must complete a Certificate of Non-Operation/Planned Non-Operation Certification (REG 102) (PDF) form.
• Submit the REG 256 (PDF), the REG 102 (PDF), and the application copy of the REG 51 with the transfer application to DMV.
• Advise the buyer that when the title is issued, they must present the title and a completed REG 32 in person at DMV before transporting the vehicle to another country by ship or air.
• Retain the book copy of the REG 51 and a copy of the REG 256 (PDF) at the dealer’s primary place of business location.
• Transfer fees.

Note Vehicles exported on military transports are exempt from this process. However, military personnel exporting vehicles via a regular carrier must submit a REG 32 and comply with export requirements.

8.035 Used Vehicle Sold for Use on Private Property

No title to be issued

When a used vehicle is sold exclusively for use on private property and the buyer does not want to title the vehicle:

• Complete the REG 51 as usual.
• Mark all copies of the REG 51 “for exclusive use on private property”.
• Complete a REG 256 (PDF) explaining how the vehicle was moved.
• Do not affix the buyer’s copy of the REG 51 to the vehicle.
  • The buyer must arrange for transport or move the vehicle on a One Trip Permit unless the sale is completed after delivery of the vehicle, in which case then vehicle can be delivered using dealer plates.

Send the REG 256 (PDF) and all copies of the REG 51 except the book copy to:

Department of Motor Vehicles
Incoming Mail MS A235
PO Box 944292
Sacramento, CA 94244-2920

• Retain the book copy of the REG 51 and a copy of the REG 256 (PDF) at the dealer’s primary place of business location.
• Provide the buyer with the existing title and any supporting documents
  (see Section 8.055 for additional information on customer demands title).

Title to be issued

When a used vehicle is sold exclusively for use on private property and the buyer requests issuance of a California title for the vehicle, in addition to the usual transfer or nonresident requirements:

• Complete the REG 51 as usual.
• Mark all copies of the REG 51 “for exclusive use on private property”.
• Complete a REG 256 (PDF) explaining how the vehicle was moved and requesting transfer only or title only, as appropriate, and submit with the transfer application.

Do not affix the buyer’s copy of the REG 51 to the vehicle.

• The buyer must arrange for transport or move the vehicle on a One Trip Permit unless the sale is completed after delivery of the vehicle, in which case the vehicle can be delivered using dealer plates.
• Submit the application copy of the Report of Sale–Used Vehicle (REG 51) form with the transfer application.
• Send buyer’s copy of the REG 51 with the 5-day notice and a copy of the Statement of Facts (REG 256) (PDF) form to:

Department of Motor Vehicles
Incoming Mail MS A235
PO Box 944292
Sacramento, CA 94244-2920

• Retain the book copy of the REG 51 and a copy of the REG 256 (PDF) at the dealer’s primary place of business location.

8.030 Void Report of Sale

The dealer must mark all parts of a Report of Sale–Used Vehicle (REG 51) form “void” when the REG 51 was completed in error and the sale was not consummated.

• Complete a Statement of Facts (REG 256) (PDF) form explaining the error and stating that the vehicle did not leave the dealer’s possession and was not operated on the operating copy of the voided report of sale.
• Do not mark a REG 51 “void” if the buyer took possession and subsequently returned the vehicle to the dealer (See “Rollbacks”, Chapter 11, Transfers).
• The dealer must retain all copies of a voided report of sale and the REG 256, with the book copy, at the dealer’s primary business location so it is available in the event of an audit.