How to Process Vehicle Gifting?
4 Answers
There are two scenarios for vehicle gifting: 1. Gifting between spouses: According to relevant laws, transferring ownership between spouses does not incur any fees. Both parties need to bring their ID cards and a household registration book under the same name that proves their marital relationship to the vehicle management office for processing. 2. Gifting to relatives or other friends: Both the giver and the recipient need to notarize the gift at a notary office, then bring the notarization certificate, registration certificate, and vehicle license to the vehicle management office to complete the gifting procedure. The requirements for transferring vehicle ownership are: (1) Transfer documentation: Proof and documentation of vehicle ownership transfer. (2) Relevant certificates: The current owner's ID, vehicle registration certificate, and vehicle license. (3) For customs-supervised vehicles: Also submit the "Release of Supervision Certificate for Customs-Supervised Vehicles of the People's Republic of China" or a customs-approved transfer certificate. (4) For vehicles exceeding the inspection validity period: Also submit the vehicle safety technical inspection certificate and compulsory traffic accident liability insurance certificate.
I previously gifted my car to my younger brother, and the entire process wasn’t as complicated as I imagined. First, you need to prepare the original and photocopies of both parties’ ID cards, the vehicle registration certificate, and the driving license—make sure to bring all these documents. It’s advisable to get a gift notarization done at a notary office in advance, which costs around 300 yuan for peace of mind. Then, go directly to the vehicle management office to fill out the application forms, where staff will check the engine and chassis numbers. Remember to clear all traffic violations beforehand—I’ve seen many people get stuck because of unpaid fines. The whole process took half a day, and in the end, my brother received the new blue registration booklet, along with the need to update the insurance beneficiary. The transfer fee varies by local standards; I paid a little over 400 yuan. A friendly reminder: gifting between siblings is tax-free, but for friends, a 20% personal income tax based on the vehicle’s assessed value applies.
Having been in the used car business for over a decade, I've witnessed countless cases of vehicle transfer through gifting. The key points boil down to three: complete documentation, vehicle compliance, and standardized procedures. Essential materials are non-negotiable: original IDs of both parties, the vehicle's green title (registration certificate), license plates, and compulsory traffic insurance policy. Pay special attention to two things: if the vehicle has a loan lien, it must be released first; for non-immediate family members, a gift contract must be signed. I recommend avoiding the end-of-month rush—arriving at the DMV by 9 AM saves the most time. The fee window will charge a processing fee and transfer fee, with our local standard being 380 yuan. After completion, remember to update the insurance promptly, otherwise claims processing could become problematic. Upon successful transfer, the third page of the registration certificate will be updated and new license plates will be issued.
Just gave the car to my cousin this March, and the process was much simpler than selling it. We brought our IDs and the vehicle documents to the notary office, signed a free gift agreement, and finished in half an hour. During the inspection at the DMV, they found the right brake light wasn't working, so we spent 20 yuan to replace the bulb at a repair shop nearby before passing. The staff carefully checked the car's scratches and registration details, confirmed everything was correct, and then let us choose a new license plate on the spot. No taxes were mentioned, probably because we're blood relatives within three generations. The only surprise was that the original ETC device had to be canceled at the bank first, and it took a week to reapply. The whole process was completed within three days, and the new vehicle license was mailed directly to our home.
