Section 1 - Parties and Date
Date of Agreement: [[Date of Agreement]]
SELLER
Full Legal Name / Dealership: [[Seller Full Legal Name or Dealership Name]]
California Dealer License / Certificate Number (if dealer): [[California Dealer License Number - or "N/A - Private Sale"]]
Address: [[Seller Street Address]], [[Seller City]], California [[Seller ZIP Code]]
Phone: [[Seller Phone Number]] Email: [[Seller Email Address]]
BUYER
Full Legal Name: [[Buyer Full Legal Name]]
Address: [[Buyer Street Address]], [[Buyer City]], [[Buyer State]] [[Buyer ZIP Code]]
Driver's License Number / State: [[Buyer Driver's License Number]] / [[Issuing State]]
Section 2 - Vehicle Description
| Field | Details |
|---|
| Year / Make / Model | [[Vehicle Year]] [[Vehicle Make]] [[Vehicle Model]] |
| Trim / Body Style | [[Vehicle Trim and Body Style]] |
| VIN (17 characters) | [[Vehicle Identification Number]] |
| Odometer Reading | [[Odometer Reading]] miles |
| Title Number / Issuing State | [[Existing Title Number]] / [[Title-Issuing State]] |
Section 3 - Purchase Price and Payment
| Item | Amount |
|---|
| Agreed Sale Price | $[[Agreed Sale Price]] |
| Trade-In Allowance (if applicable) | - $[[Trade-In Allowance - or "0.00"]] |
| Dealer Documentation Fee (if dealer) | $[[Dealer Doc Fee Amount - or "N/A"]] |
| Total Amount Due | $[[Total Amount Due]] |
| Less: Deposit Paid | - $[[Deposit Amount - or "0.00"]] |
| Balance Due at Delivery | $[[Balance Due at Delivery]] |
> Note on California vehicle taxes: California imposes 7.25% base state/local sales or use tax on the purchase price or the DMV's valuation, whichever is higher (district taxes can push the total rate higher in many cities/counties). Verify the current rate applicable to your transaction at dmv.ca.gov before closing.
Payment Method: [ ] Cash / Certified Funds [ ] Personal Check (title held until cleared) [ ] Financing [ ] Trade-In Combination
Section 4 - Financing and Truth-in-Lending Disclosure (if applicable)
Lender: [[Lender Name]] Loan Amount: $[[Loan Amount]] APR: [[APR Percentage]]% Term: [[Loan Term Months]] months
Buyer acknowledges separate receipt of federal Truth-in-Lending (TILA) disclosures for any financed portion of this purchase.
Section 5 - Odometer Disclosure
Per the federal Truth in Mileage Act (49 U.S.C. § 32705; 49 C.F.R. Part 580), the seller certifies the odometer reading of [[Odometer Reading]] miles reflects:
- [ ] The actual mileage.
- [ ] Mileage EXCEEDS mechanical limits - WARNING: odometer has rolled over.
- [ ] NOT the actual mileage - WARNING: odometer discrepancy.
Exemption: vehicles 20 or more model years old (2021 federal rule) or with a GVWR over 16,000 lbs are exempt from federal odometer disclosure.
Section 6 - Condition, Title, and Warranty
- Vehicle is sold AS IS - NO WARRANTY unless a written limited warranty is attached; any warranty offered in writing is binding under California law.
- Seller warrants clear title free of liens except as disclosed: [[Lien Holder Name - or "None"]], Payoff Amount $[[Payoff Amount - or "N/A"]].
- Known material defects: [[Known Defects - or "None known to seller"]]. Accident/flood/salvage history: [[Accident or Damage History - or "None known to seller"]].
Section 7 - California Cancellation Rights
California does not provide a general statutory "cooling-off" right to cancel a completed vehicle purchase (unlike California's 2-day option for certain used-vehicle sales under Cal. Veh. Code § 11713.21). Once this Agreement is signed and the vehicle delivered, the sale is final unless the dealer voluntarily offers a written contractual cancellation option, which must be disclosed here: [[Dealer Cancellation Option Terms - or "None offered"]].
Section 8 - California Title and Registration Steps
- Seller signs the assignment section on the back of the title and completes the odometer disclosure on the title (or on this document if the title lacks space).
- Buyer submits the signed title, this agreement, proof of California insurance, and a completed title/registration application to the California DMV (dmv.ca.gov) within 10 days of purchase (Cal. Veh. Code § 5901).
- Buyer pays 7.25% base state/local sales or use tax on the purchase price or the DMV's valuation, whichever is higher (district taxes can push the total rate higher in many cities/counties), the California title fee (currently $23.00), and plate/registration fees.
- The seller must separately file a Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability (NRL) within 5 calendar days of the sale to end registered-owner liability; most transfers also require a smog certification from the seller dated within 90 days of the sale unless the vehicle is exempt.
- The DMV field office issues a new California title and registration in the buyer's name.
Section 9 - Signatures and Notary
SELLER Signature: ___________________________ Date: [[Date Seller Signs]]
BUYER Signature: ___________________________ Date: [[Date Buyer Signs]]
Notarization is not required for California vehicle purchase agreements but is recommended for high-value private-party sales.
> ⚠️ Template example - not professional (legal/financial/medical) advice. This document is a general template for informational purposes only. California statutes, tax rates, title fees, and agency requirements change frequently - verify all figures against current California law and California DMV (dmv.ca.gov) before use. Sources verified as of June 2026: 49 U.S.C. § 32705; 49 C.F.R. Part 580; Cal. Rev. & Tax. Code § 6051; Cal. Veh. Code § 5901; California Department of Motor Vehicles.
