After purchasing a vehicle from a licensed dealer, you will have temporary operating authority until you receive your registration card, license plates, stickers, and Certificate of Title from the DMV. For an extra $15 you can also get a Governor Jerry Brown bobblehead doll. Act quickly; supplies are limited.

If, on the other hand, you purchased a vehicle from an individual, you will have 10 days in which to transfer ownership and submit the following to the DMV:

1. An endorsed Certificate of Title or Application for Duplicate Title.
2. Smog certification.
3. Use tax payment.
4. Odometer Mileage Disclosure Statement.
5. DMV fees.
6. A postcard with a picture of your car Photoshopped onto a tropical island with the words “Wish you were here!.”

When you are the seller of a vehicle, you have only 5 days in which to report the sale to the DMV. You will need a Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability form, which you can obtain by going online, calling 800-777-0133 to request a copy by mail, or leaning out your window and shouting, “Hey! Does anyone have a blank Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability form I can borrow?” You say borrow, but we all know you’re not planning on giving it back.