# CA DMV "Release of Liability" when returning leased vehicle **URL:** \ **Category:** Ask the Hackrs\ **Created:** [August 22, 2017, 4:54am UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/ca-dmv-release-of-liability-when-returning-leased-vehicle/19133 "2017-08-22T04:54:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![49er](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/letter_avatar/49er/32/5_5575768a8748004e209b776fc1b2916d.png) [@49er](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/49er)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2017, 4:54am UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/ca-dmv-release-of-liability-when-returning-leased-vehicle/19133/1 "2017-08-22T04:54:16Z")
I returned a leased car today. The CA DMV site says to complete a form (“If you return your leased vehicle to the lessor, you must complete a Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability and submit it to the DMV within five calendar days’”): [https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/vr/leased](https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/vr/leased) That DMV form asks for “New Owner” information (name, address), then “Sale information” (sales date and sale price) and finally Seller’s information (name, address). This form is clearly designed for sales transfers. What do you enter in this when you have returned the car at end of a lease? ---
**Author:** ![Pavlon](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/letter_avatar/pavlon/32/5_5575768a8748004e209b776fc1b2916d.png) [@Pavlon](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/Pavlon)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2017, 4:58am UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/ca-dmv-release-of-liability-when-returning-leased-vehicle/19133/2 "2017-08-22T04:58:25Z")
Call the leasing company - info on your monthly statement. They will provide you the details to fill in ---
**Author:** ![49er](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/letter_avatar/49er/32/5_5575768a8748004e209b776fc1b2916d.png) [@49er](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/49er)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2017, 5:02am UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/ca-dmv-release-of-liability-when-returning-leased-vehicle/19133/3 "2017-08-22T05:02:29Z")
Leasing company (Ally) has no idea… ---
**Author:** ![Pavlon](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/letter_avatar/pavlon/32/5_5575768a8748004e209b776fc1b2916d.png) [@Pavlon](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/Pavlon)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2017, 5:15am UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/ca-dmv-release-of-liability-when-returning-leased-vehicle/19133/4 "2017-08-22T05:15:28Z")
May be call the dealer you returned the car to… When I returned my leased vw, vw credit gave me all the info. ---
**Author:** ![49er](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/letter_avatar/49er/32/5_5575768a8748004e209b776fc1b2916d.png) [@49er](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/49er)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2017, 5:24am UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/ca-dmv-release-of-liability-when-returning-leased-vehicle/19133/5 "2017-08-22T05:24:09Z")
Do you recall if the “new owner” information you entered was the leasing company? Did you enter a sales price? Was your information “seller information”? Thanks ---
**Author:** ![ReneL](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/forum.leasehackr.com/renel/32/5454_2.png) [@ReneL](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/ReneL)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2017, 5:48am UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/ca-dmv-release-of-liability-when-returning-leased-vehicle/19133/6 "2017-08-22T05:48:04Z")
I’m no expert and have yet to return my lease but I took a look at the form online just thinking I should be aware of what will be required. Looking at the form my guess would be that the name and address of the leasing company to which you returned the car would be proper and n/a for the selling price because it was a lease return and not a sale. Looks like the form is a multipurpose from with not very clear directions. the FAQ are not much help except possibly this is relevant “Can the online NRL application be used if the buyer or seller is a business? Yes. Start the business name in the last name field and continue into the first name field if necessary.” Can’t believe no one at your at your leasing company could advise you :\ ---
**Author:** ![Pavlon](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/letter_avatar/pavlon/32/5_5575768a8748004e209b776fc1b2916d.png) [@Pavlon](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/Pavlon)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2017, 3:39pm UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/ca-dmv-release-of-liability-when-returning-leased-vehicle/19133/7 "2017-08-22T15:39:43Z")
Yeah, I think i put the leasing company as the new owner and probably nothing for the sales price. ---
**Author:** ![Billium](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/letter_avatar/billium/32/5_5575768a8748004e209b776fc1b2916d.png) [@Billium](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/Billium)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2021, 4:13am UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/ca-dmv-release-of-liability-when-returning-leased-vehicle/19133/8 "2021-05-02T04:13:34Z")
Sorry to bump this old thread and I can create a new thread if the mods prefer… As I don’t want to wait any longer to transfer liability and BMW is closed, I’m wondering if anyone who leased a bmw in CA knows who to put for the “new owner”. Is it bmw financial services? The dealer you lease and returned to? ---
**Author:** ![mllcb42](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/letter_avatar/mllcb42/32/5_5575768a8748004e209b776fc1b2916d.png) [@mllcb42](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/mllcb42)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2021, 11:07am UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/ca-dmv-release-of-liability-when-returning-leased-vehicle/19133/9 "2021-05-02T11:07:36Z")
When I did the lease return on my Volvo in CA, I put the dealer that took possession of it. ---
**Author:** ![AK91](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/letter_avatar/ak91/32/5_5575768a8748004e209b776fc1b2916d.png) [@AK91](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/AK91)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2021, 5:42pm UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/ca-dmv-release-of-liability-when-returning-leased-vehicle/19133/10 "2021-05-02T17:42:43Z")
@Billium Here is what Audi FS says to fill into those spots, BMW is likely similar. I would check to see if there’s an FAQ on the BMW FS website with details, that’s where I got the Audi info from. ![PNG image](https://leasehackr-assets.b-cdn.net/original/3X/1/e/1ef3b19661663e905abc4ec4a87651be7294f219.png) ---
**Author:** ![Billium](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/letter_avatar/billium/32/5_5575768a8748004e209b776fc1b2916d.png) [@Billium](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/Billium)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2021, 12:24am UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/ca-dmv-release-of-liability-when-returning-leased-vehicle/19133/11 "2021-05-03T00:24:08Z")
Thank you so much. I spent a ton of time looking for this on their site, googling, using that chatbot they have and it’s not there. Essentially they say to just drop off the keys. I just put BMW Financial Services and crossed one more item off my to-do list. ---
**Author:** ![WDP81](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/forum.leasehackr.com/wdp81/32/82073_2.png) [@WDP81](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/WDP81)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2021, 1:15am UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/ca-dmv-release-of-liability-when-returning-leased-vehicle/19133/12 "2021-07-13T01:15:53Z")
I was under the impression this was all taken care of at the dealership. I returned a leased BMW to BMW and leased another BMW. Then, 5 months later, I received a notice from the DMV that my registration for my returned vehicle was overdue. I have leased several times before and this has never happened. ---
**Author:** ![mllcb42](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/letter_avatar/mllcb42/32/5_5575768a8748004e209b776fc1b2916d.png) [@mllcb42](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/mllcb42)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2021, 1:18am UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/ca-dmv-release-of-liability-when-returning-leased-vehicle/19133/13 "2021-07-13T01:18:48Z")
Many dealers will do it as a courtesy, however, ultimately it is your responsibility to make sure it gets done. ---
**Author:** ![jeisensc](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/forum.leasehackr.com/jeisensc/32/224821_2.png) [@jeisensc](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/jeisensc)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2021, 1:24am UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/ca-dmv-release-of-liability-when-returning-leased-vehicle/19133/14 "2021-07-13T01:24:34Z")
I just got my registration renewal, there is even a spot there to fill out and return if you are switching or a Non-Operating registration or disposing of the vehicle. ---
**Author:** ![WDP81](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/forum.leasehackr.com/wdp81/32/82073_2.png) [@WDP81](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/WDP81)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2021, 1:30am UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/ca-dmv-release-of-liability-when-returning-leased-vehicle/19133/15 "2021-07-13T01:30:47Z")
Damn, well good to know. 🤦🏻‍♂️ ---
**Author:** ![Billium](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/letter_avatar/billium/32/5_5575768a8748004e209b776fc1b2916d.png) [@Billium](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/Billium)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2021, 1:31am UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/ca-dmv-release-of-liability-when-returning-leased-vehicle/19133/16 "2021-07-13T01:31:01Z")
Ok now that I’m freaked out - is there a way to check with the dmv on whether you still owe anything for a registration? ---
**Author:** ![forbs](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/letter_avatar/forbs/32/5_5575768a8748004e209b776fc1b2916d.png) [@forbs](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/forbs)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2021, 2:10am UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/ca-dmv-release-of-liability-when-returning-leased-vehicle/19133/17 "2021-07-13T02:10:49Z")
> [@WDP81](#): > > Then, 5 months later, I received a notice from the DMV that my registration for my returned vehicle was overdue. I This means the car was sold out of state, and CA has no notification of that…so therefore you owe money. I learned that on lease #2, now I always fill out that form after turning in my car. ---
**Author:** ![WDP81](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/forum.leasehackr.com/wdp81/32/82073_2.png) [@WDP81](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/WDP81)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2021, 2:24am UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/ca-dmv-release-of-liability-when-returning-leased-vehicle/19133/18 "2021-07-13T02:24:55Z")
Looked through my documents and the dealership provided a photocopy of the release form. Think they would waive it if I provided it to them? Also, I transferred my plates from the old lease to the new lease. ---
**Author:** ![jeisensc](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/forum.leasehackr.com/jeisensc/32/224821_2.png) [@jeisensc](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/jeisensc)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2021, 2:34am UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/ca-dmv-release-of-liability-when-returning-leased-vehicle/19133/19 "2021-07-13T02:34:05Z")
Snap! Did the notice you received from DMV have a mailing, email, fax for reply? My move would be to photocopy the form the dealership gave you, send it back with the notice and a note that says something like “enclosed is a copy of the original that was submitted on my behalf to the DMV on $date, Along with registration paperwork for my new lease which transfer the plates from this car to the current one. please confirm your receipt and that any penalties or fees have been waived “ ---
**Author:** ![forbs](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/letter_avatar/forbs/32/5_5575768a8748004e209b776fc1b2916d.png) [@forbs](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/forbs)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2021, 3:00am UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/ca-dmv-release-of-liability-when-returning-leased-vehicle/19133/20 "2021-07-13T03:00:33Z")
> [@WDP81](#): > > Looked through my documents and the dealership provided a photocopy of the release form Just go online and fill out the form and backdate it, that’s what I did for #2 when I said ‘you owe money’ I mean DMV thinks ‘you owe money’ because the car wasn’t registered in CA to a new owner, therefore to them they think you still have it. Fill out the form online and all will be good.