CA Title Transfer By Mail

Hello,

Anyone buy a used vehicle recently and request a title transfer from the CA DMV by mail? I sent the original title, the completed title transfer form, and a check for $15 to the DMV 3 weeks ago and it is still not cashed yet. I expected them to be slow but not THIS slow. The instructions for doing this on the DMV website were total garbage so now I am starting to worry something is wrong.

 

This state is a dysfunctional mess. On one hand I’m not surprised they haven’t cashed your check yet, on the other hand it could be lost the way things work around here. When I gave my truck to my dad, I mailed in the form to release liability on the registration, but it looks like they never received it. I don’t care because a family member owns the truck and registered out of state.

I seriously doubt there’s anyone you can call about this. If you have AAA, they might be able to look it up in their system which back doors to the California DMV.

 

I hate the CA DMV with a passion. In retrospect, I should have left nothing to chance and did it in person, but going to the CA DMV in person is TORTURE. I am just hoping someone chimes in with "I got my title after 2 months of waiting" or something like that.

I think in CA, you have the be the registered owner of the vehicle to purchase insurance for it. When I called to add the new car to my policy, the agent told me I had to request title transfer within 30 days...

 

Step one... NEVER send shit to the DMV via mail.... its a surefire way for stuff to get lost by this dysfunctional state. Always do release of liability online.

Step 2, if you live in southern california get a AAA membership if you already dont have one, as socal AAA offices can do 99% of the things DMV offices can do, right there, in front of your face and hand you stickers, registration etc etc without waiting in massive long lines and dealing with dmv workers who dont care.

Just bought a motorcycle from oregon, that was never registered there, that came from AZ and had a lein on it... it was a mess. AAA person helped me out big time, filled out all the forms and about an hour later I walked out with a plate, stickers, and registration.

 

CA DMV is pretty slow and they have lots of volume. I typically go in for business. Our local office is pretty quick when you have an appointment, you know what you are doing, and have your paper work in order. AAA would be a good way to do it too.

 

They finally cashed one of my reg checks last month, 3 months after I sent it and 1 months after my reg expired. I have 7 vehicles and some have taken 1 month and some have taken 3 months. Probably depends on whose desk it lands on.

 

I did that in January for my motorcycle. I bought my africa twin off a guy who still hadn’t paid off the loan. We signed a bill of sale, and i gave him cash, and drove home with the bike. It was a gamble, but i was willing to take the risk after meeting the guy at his house. About a month later, he texts me that he has paid off the loan and is waiting for the title from honda financial and he’d mail it to me. I get the title about 3 weeks later in the mail, filled out the transfer from and mailed mine in. I got my title a month or so later.

 

This. I have AAA membership basically for dmv transactions. Have had it for 4 years now I think. 0 tows, all dmv stuff lol

 

I believe I was told mine would be about three weeks. I was transferring a WA. title to Ca. and went to my local DMV and they were just going to send it to Sacramento to do it where it can only be done. I would not worry at three weeks. Five to six then I would but you are also in holiday season. Your local DMV should be able to confirm that it has been received. Perhaps I have been lucky, but I have been pretty pleased with one of my local DMV's. But my experience might just be based on what the low expectation most have of them.

 

Just a quick update on this for anyone wondering. It took a full month for them to cash the check, and I am 6 weeks in still waiting for the title in the mail. Lol. Fairly confident it will show up eventually, though.

 

It's modestly described!

 

Niceeee. Might take months but you will receive it

 

I tried it thrice and over 2 years they never got it done.

 

At least they cashed the check, you’re making progress. Like mentioned, do what you can on their website, i renewed my registration last week and got the stickers in 4 days. My Tacoma is the first new truck I’ve had in 21 years and was floored when I got the registration renewal for 531.00

 

At $531/year on a 2020, consider yourself lucky. Probably because it’s an SR, but that’s not bad for CA.

 

I don’t think the model has anything to do with it

 

Related to value. SR is less expensive, meaning registration is cheaper.

 

Schedule an appt and go in person for anything you need.

If you bought used vehicle, this is the best way to do it. Only thing I can think of is the fact that you still need to pay taxes based on the purchase price/value stated on said paperwork being personal property.

Plus, doing so in person gets you your registration printed right then and there.

If you sold one, you can just do the release of liability online and instantly.

 

Yeah, I suppose that’s true