InstantBillOfSale

California Trailer Bill of Sale — Free PDF Generator

Utility, cargo or boat trailer — build a signed-ready California bill of sale with two copies. Nothing is uploaded.

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Selling a trailer in California — what to know

Most utility trailers in California live under the PTI program — Permanent Trailer Identification — instead of normal vehicle registration. A PTI trailer has an ID card and a permanent plate, renewed only every five years, and it changes hands with a simple DMV transfer. The document that anchors that transfer in a private sale is the bill of sale: it proves the price, the date, and who the parties were.

California’s DMV publishes its own generic bill of sale (REG 135), and a self-written document with the same information — like the one this generator creates — is accepted the same way. Whichever you use, the buyer should submit the transfer to the DMV promptly; use tax on the purchase price is collected at that point for most private-party sales.

California rules at a glance

TopicCalifornia rule
PTI programMost utility/boat trailers carry Permanent Trailer Identification — a permanent plate and ID card instead of annual registration.
Transfer paperworkSigned-over PTI certificate/title (or ID card transfer), plus the bill of sale documenting the price.
Official formREG 135 (Bill of Sale) exists, but any complete bill of sale is accepted.
NotarizationNot required in California.
DeadlinesBuyers should notify the DMV of the transfer promptly — California expects transfer applications within 10 days.

Last reviewed August 2026. Rules change — confirm current requirements with the state agency before your sale.

California Trailer bill of sale — FAQ

Is a bill of sale required to sell a trailer in California?
The DMV requires transfer documents that establish the sale — the bill of sale is the standard proof of price and date, and for PTI trailers it’s the core of the private-party paperwork.
What is a PTI trailer?
Permanent Trailer Identification — California’s system for most non-commercial trailers. Instead of yearly registration, the trailer has a permanent plate and an ID card, renewed every five years for a small fee.
Do I need REG 135 specifically?
No. REG 135 is the DMV’s convenience form; a self-written bill of sale with the same information (like ours) works the same way.
Does California require notarization?
No — signatures of both parties are sufficient.

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