REG 262 secure power of attorney questions come up when a customer (or other owner in the chain) is unavailable to sign DMV transfer documents. For California dealers, the stakes are high: REG 262 is a secure form, it must be handled as an original, and it cannot be used as a shortcut for prohibited actions like odometer disclosure by POA. This guide breaks down when a power of attorney (POA) is allowed, what it must contain, and how to avoid the most common REG 262 compliance mistakes.
What is a power of attorney in a DMV title transfer?
California DMV describes a POA as a written document where the vehicle owner (the “principal”) gives another person or business (the “attorney-in-fact”) the right to act on the owner’s behalf for a transaction. DMV allows a POA to be used to release ownership on a title or bill of sale. (DMV VIRC Procedures Manual: Signature by Power of Attorney.)
Which POA types are acceptable for California dealer transactions?
For vehicle/vessel transactions, DMV recognizes multiple POA formats. The most common in dealership paperwork are:
- REG 262 (Vehicle/Vessel Transfer and Reassignment Form): Includes a POA section, and can also include bill of sale and odometer disclosure sections.
- REG 260 (Power of Attorney): A DMV POA form separate from REG 262.
- Restricted (limited) POA: Limited to a specific transaction (for example, transfer of ownership only).
- General POA: Broad authority; may not list a specific vehicle.
DMV’s manual explains that a “POA generally refers to a DMV form which is limited to vehicle/vessel transactions,” but DMV also accepts restricted or general POAs depending on the situation. (Source: DMV VIRC—Signature by POA.)
REG 262 “secure form” rules: originals, copies, and alterations
REG 262 is treated differently than other POA documents because it is a secure form.
- No photocopies or faxes of REG 262: DMV states that copies of REG 262 “are not acceptable.”
- Photocopies/faxes may be acceptable for other POAs: DMV notes that a photocopy or fax copy of a general POA (including REG 260) is acceptable.
- Avoid errors and alterations on REG 262: REG 262 sections tied to odometer disclosure are especially sensitive; DMV states that errors or alterations void the odometer disclosure statement and a new REG 262 is required for odometer disclosure, along with a REG 256 explaining why a separate odometer disclosure is attached.
See: DMV VIRC—Signature by POA and DMV VIRC—Secure Power of Attorney.
Dealer checklist: what a POA must contain to be accepted
Use this checklist before you let an attorney-in-fact sign DMV transfer paperwork in your deal jacket.
1) Confirm the POA is the right type for the transaction
- Is a restricted POA needed (only transfer authority)? Or is a general POA being used?
- If using REG 262, confirm you have the original secure form (not a scan, fax, or photocopy).
2) Verify the required identifying information is present
DMV lists these POA requirements for vehicle/vessel transactions:
- VIN/HIN is shown (exception: a general POA will not contain a VIN/HIN).
- Name of the designated attorney-in-fact is included.
- Principal’s signature is present.
- The POA accompanies the application signed by the attorney-in-fact.
Source: DMV VIRC—Signature by POA.
3) Confirm proper countersignature (especially for businesses)
When a business entity is the attorney-in-fact, DMV requires the business name to be included in the countersignature (for example, “Owner Name by Company Name by Agent Name as POA”). (Source: DMV VIRC—Signature by POA.)
Prohibited uses: what a POA cannot do (and common dealer mistakes)
A POA is not a blank check. DMV lists specific actions that cannot be done using a POA. Here are the dealer-relevant pitfalls to train your staff to spot:
- No odometer disclosure by POA: DMV explicitly states a POA cannot be used to disclose odometer mileage.
- No “knowledge certifications” by POA: A POA cannot be used to sign a certification or Statement of Facts (REG 256) attesting to the principal’s knowledge, with a limited exception related to disposition of the original California title on REG 227.
- No reassigning POA authority: The attorney-in-fact cannot reassign the right conveyed by the principal.
Source: DMV VIRC—Signature by POA.
How REG 262 interacts with odometer disclosure (keep these two concepts separate)
REG 262 includes multiple sections, and it’s easy for dealership teams to blur the rules. DMV’s procedures manual emphasizes that:
- The odometer disclosure statement must be completed at the time of sale by the seller and signed by both buyer and seller.
- Errors or alterations void the odometer disclosure, requiring a new REG 262 for odometer disclosure and a REG 256 explaining why a separate odometer disclosure is attached.
- If the REG 262 includes completed Bill of Sale and/or POA information, DMV instructs dealers to retain the REG 262 with the application even if the odometer section contains an error/alteration.
Source: DMV VIRC—Secure Power of Attorney.
When an out-of-state secure POA may come into play
Dealers sometimes see secure POA documents from other jurisdictions when the title is unavailable at the time of sale or when an owner is out of state. DMV provides specific guidance for secure POA handling in its odometer mileage reporting section. If your deal depends on a secure POA, verify you are following DMV’s secure POA procedure rather than treating it like a general POA attachment. (Source: DMV VIRC—Secure Power of Attorney.)
Recordkeeping: store REG 262 and POA paperwork like an auditor will ask for it
Strong POA compliance is more than getting a signature—it’s proving the signature authority later. Dealer Educator training emphasizes building clean, retrievable deal jackets and protecting customer information, because DMV investigators have authority to inspect dealership records for title and registration investigations. (See DMV inspection authority discussion in dealer guidance and VIRC procedures: DMV VIRC Procedures Manual.)
Practical recordkeeping habits that reduce POA problems:
- File the POA with the application set that was signed by the attorney-in-fact.
- Control originals: Because REG 262 cannot be copied for submission, build a process where the original stays protected and is routed correctly the first time.
- Index for retrieval: If an inspector asks “show me the POA authority for this transfer,” you should be able to retrieve it quickly by stock number, VIN, and buyer name.
Quick-reference table: POA do’s and don’ts for dealers
| Topic | Best practice | DMV rule to remember |
| Using REG 262 as POA | Use only the original secure form and complete it cleanly | Photocopies/faxes of REG 262 are not acceptable |
| Using REG 260 / general POA | Attach it to the application signed by the attorney-in-fact | Photocopy/fax of general POA (including REG 260) is acceptable |
| Required POA content | Verify attorney-in-fact name, principal signature, and VIN (when required) | VIN/HIN required except for general POA |
| Odometer disclosure | Have seller and buyer sign the odometer disclosure correctly at sale | POA cannot be used to disclose odometer mileage |
| REG 262 errors | If odometer section has an error, redo the odometer disclosure correctly | Errors/alterations void odometer disclosure; new REG 262 required for odometer disclosure |
Training takeaway for the CA DMV dealer test (and real-world compliance)
If you remember one concept, make it this: a POA helps with signature authority, not with truth statements. That’s why DMV allows POA signatures for releasing ownership, but prohibits using POA for odometer disclosure and certain knowledge certifications. Build your dealership process so the right person signs the right section, on the right form, at the right time—and you’ll avoid many of the most common titling rejections.
