How to Gift a Car in Washington D.C. in 2026

Gifting a motor vehicle in Washington, D.C. involves transferring legal title from the donor to the recipient through the District of Columbia Department of Motor Vehicles (DC DMV). The primary owner of the gifted vehicle must be a District resident holding a valid DC DMV credential. Under District Code § 50-2201.03, certain gifts between qualified family members may qualify for an excise tax exemption, though this exemption applies only when the vehicle already holds a valid DC title.

How Does Gifting a Car in Washington D.C. Work?

Transferring a vehicle as a gift in Washington, D.C. follows the standard ownership transfer procedure administered by the DC DMV. When a vehicle is gifted, the donor signs the back of the title to transfer ownership to the recipient. The recipient must then submit the assigned title along with an Application for Certificate of Title/Temporary Tag, a bill of sale, proof of current odometer mileage, and proof of DC liability insurance to a DC DMV service center. After DC DMV receives all required documents and fees, the title is mailed to the new owner within ten business days. The recipient becomes responsible for titling and registering the vehicle in the District prior to operating it on public roads.

When multiple owners are listed on a vehicle title, all co-owners must participate in the transfer process. To remove a co-owner during a gift transfer, both the transferor and the co-owner must sign the back of the title, with each party signing as either seller or buyer, depending on the intended outcome. The individual remaining on the title signs as the buyer, while those transferring their interest sign as sellers.

Washington D.C. Car Gifting Rules You Should Know

Title Status

A valid certificate of title is required for all motor vehicles registered in D.C. When a vehicle is gifted, the donor must provide either a current DC title or, if the vehicle is new, the Manufacturer Certificate of Origin. The recipient becomes responsible for obtaining a new title in their name. The primary owner listed on the title must be a District resident with a valid DC DMV credential. If multiple owners are listed, all must be identified on the title documents, though only the primary owner is required to hold a DC credential.

License Plates

Existing license plates may be transferred from one vehicle to another if the owner remains the same and both vehicles are in the same class. However, plates cannot transfer when vehicle ownership changes. The donor must either surrender plates to DC DMV or transfer them to another vehicle registered to the same individual prior to the gift transfer. Surrendered plates may be eligible for a registration refund based on a six-month increment, not exceeding 18 months, if the registration period has 6 or more months remaining. The recipient may obtain new plates during the registration and titling process.

To surrender plates, the donor may visit a DC DMV service center, mail plates with a written request to DC DMV, or use DC DMV's online plate surrender service. Expired or previously surrendered plates cannot be transferred.

Taxes and Fees

DC imposes an excise tax on vehicle titles based on the vehicle's fair market value and fuel efficiency. Under current tax rates, excise tax is calculated according to both the vehicle's unladen weight and miles-per-gallon (MPG) city rating.

However, a gift transfer may qualify for excise tax exemption under DC Official Code § 50-2201.03(j)(1) if both the following conditions are met: the vehicle already holds a valid DC title, and the gift occurs between spouses, domestic partners, or a parent and child. Gifts to other family members, including grandparents, grandchildren, siblings, or aunts and uncles, are subject to the full excise tax. To claim an exemption, the recipient must submit an Excise Tax Gift Exemption Form documenting the qualifying relationship. Domestic partnership status must be proven either by presenting a Certificate of Domestic Partnership from the DC Department of Health or by documentation recognized under DC Code § 32-702(i).

In addition to the excise tax, recipients must pay a title fee of $30 for the new certificate of title. A $20 per lien recordation fee applies if the vehicle carries a security interest. Recipients must also pay the applicable vehicle registration fee, which varies by vehicle type and is established by the DC DMV. A 2.5% service fee is applied to all debit and credit card transactions made online, through the DC DMV mobile app, or in person.

Step-By-Step Process To Gift a Car in Washington D.C.

Step 1: Obtain the assigned title.

The donor must sign the back of the existing DC title transferring ownership to the recipient. Both the donor and the recipient must ensure all names appear correctly and consistently on the title documents. If the vehicle has co-owners and the transfer involves removing one co-owner, all parties must sign the back of the title as either the seller or the buyer, depending on the intended transfer.

Step 2: Complete the bill of sale.

The donor and recipient must jointly complete a bill of sale documenting the gift transfer with no monetary consideration. The bill of sale must include the vehicle identification number (VIN), year, make, model, odometer reading at the time of transfer, and signatures from both parties. The document should clearly indicate that the transfer is a gift with no sale price.

Step 3: Record the odometer mileage.

Current odometer mileage must be certified and recorded. For used vehicles, the donor certifies the mileage either on the back of the title at the time of transfer or on a dealer reassignment form. For new vehicles, the dealer's odometer statement is required. The recipient is responsible for ensuring accurate odometer verification is provided to the DC DMV during the titling process.

Step 4: Determine tax exemption eligibility.

The recipient should determine whether the gift qualifies for the excise tax exemption by verifying the relationship between the donor and the recipient. Exemptions apply only to gifts between spouses, domestic partners, or parents and children, and only when the vehicle already holds a valid DC title. If the gift qualifies for exemption, the recipient must obtain and prepare the Excise Tax Gift Exemption Form with supporting proof of the qualifying relationship.

Step 5: Obtain DC liability insurance.

Before registering or titling the vehicle, the recipient must secure DC liability insurance meeting the District's minimum coverage requirements of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury liability, and $10,000 for property damage liability. Proof of valid DC insurance must be presented to the DC DMV during the titling and registration process.

Step 6: Submit documents to the DC DMV.

The recipient submits all required documents to a DC DMV service center, by mail, or through DC DMV's online services. The application process includes the assigned title, Certificate of Title/Temporary Tag Application, bill of sale, odometer mileage verification, proof of DC insurance, and payment of all applicable fees. If the gift qualifies for tax exemption, the Excise Tax Gift Exemption Form must be included. DC DMV will issue a 45-day temporary registration and tag upon initial application, allowing the recipient temporary driving privileges while the permanent title is processed and mailed.

Step 7: Complete permanent registration.

After receiving the temporary tag and registration, the recipient must complete permanent registration within the 45-day temporary registration period. Permanent registration requires the vehicle to pass a DC vehicle inspection and emissions test (if applicable), and the recipient must maintain valid DC insurance coverage throughout the registration term.

Documents Needed for Gifting a Car in Washington D.C.

The documents required to complete a vehicle gift transfer in D.C. typically include the following:

• The original DC certificate of title, properly signed on the back by the donor transferring ownership to the recipient
• A Certificate of Title/Temporary Tag Application, completed and signed by the recipient
• A bill of sale signed by both the donor and recipient, documenting the gift with no payment exchanged and including the VIN, year, make, model, odometer reading, and date of transfer
• Proof of current odometer mileage, either certified on the back of the title or on a dealer reassignment form
• Proof of valid DC liability insurance meeting minimum coverage requirements ($25,000/$50,000/$10,000)
• A DC DMV credential copy (driver's license or identification card) for the recipient, who must be a District resident
• An Excise Tax Gift Exemption Form, if the gift qualifies for tax exemption, along with supporting documentation of the qualifying relationship (marriage certificate, birth certificate, or domestic partnership certificate)
• Payment in the form of credit card, debit card, check, money order, or cash for the title fee ($30), excise tax, and any applicable registration and lien fees

If the vehicle lacks a valid DC title and must be imported from another jurisdiction, additional documentation may be required, such as the out-of-state title, registration records, or an affidavit establishing ownership.

Applicable Fees and Taxes When Gifting a Car in Washington D.C.

The recipient is responsible for all fees and taxes at the time of applying for title and registration. The online fee estimator available on the DC DMV's website can provide an estimate of fees and excise tax based on the specific vehicle's VIN, year, make, unladen weight, and odometer reading. All outstanding debts owed to the District of Columbia government must be resolved before a title or registration can be issued.

Contact Information

District of Columbia Department of Motor Vehicles
95 M Street, SW, Washington, D.C. 20024
Phone: 311 or (202) 737-4404
Official Website: District of Columbia Department of Motor Vehicles