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California Guide

How to Gift a Car in California

Last verified: October 2026 against California DMV and CDTFA sources

California does not charge use tax on a true gift, and purchases from close family members are exempt too. Family transfers can also skip the smog certificate.

Here is who qualifies and how to transfer the title.

Step by step

  1. 1

    Make sure it is a true gift

    The owner must give the car freely, with no payment from the person receiving it. Paying cash, trading property, providing services, or taking over a loan makes it a purchase, not a gift.

  2. 2

    Know the family exemption

    Even a purchase is exempt from use tax when the seller is your parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, spouse, or registered domestic partner, or your brother or sister when both of you are minors (related by blood or adoption). Stepparents and stepchildren qualify only through legal adoption, and ex-spouses after a divorce decree do not qualify.

  3. 3

    Check whether a smog certificate is needed

    Transfers between parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, brother, sister, spouse, or domestic partner are exempt from the smog certification requirement, as are vehicles smog certified in the last 90 days.

  4. 4

    Sign the title and transfer within 10 days

    The giver signs the title, and you transfer ownership with the DMV within 10 days. You pay the $15 transfer fee.

  5. 5

    Keep proof of the gift or relationship

    Keep a signed statement from the former owner and a copy of the title, plus proof of the relationship for a family exemption. The DMV may ask for a use tax clearance (Form CDTFA-106), and CDTFA may contact you later for documents.

When use tax is still owed

  • Anything is given in return, including taking over a loan, and the seller is not a qualifying family member.
  • The family member who sells you the car is in the business of selling that type of vehicle.
  • A sale between stepfamily without legal adoption, or between ex-spouses after a divorce decree.

What to bring

  • The title, signed by the giver
  • A signed statement from the giver that the car is a gift, with a copy of the title
  • Proof of relationship for a family exemption (for example, a birth or marriage certificate)
  • Smog certification, unless the family or 90-day exemption applies
  • Payment for the $15 transfer fee

Estimate your California costs

For a gift or exempt family transfer, enter $0 as the price to see the transfer fee and the $76 registration and $34 CHP fees. The vehicle license fee (0.65% of the car’s value) and transportation improvement fee are extra.

Open the full California calculator

Vehicle & Transaction Details

Enter purchase information to calculate true out-of-pocket costs in California.

51 Jurisdictions Active
California 7.25% tax base
$
7 years old
California tag options
EV surcharge rules
Lien fee: $0.00
California: Non-Deductible
$

California Notice: California taxes the full agreed vehicle price — trade-ins do not reduce the tax base on private-party sales.

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Estimated taxes & fees

Estimated taxes & fees

Jurisdiction

California

Estimated taxes & fees
$1,376.00 – $2,051.00

Sales/Excise Tax (State + Local Range) + Title Certificate + Tags & Registration

Itemized Line ItemEstimated Fee
1Vehicle Sales / Excise Tax (7.25% State + Local Range)

State tax $1,087.50 + Local tax (varies by county) $0.00–$675.00

$1,087.50 – $1,762.50
2Certificate of Title Fee

Standard state title certificate issuance

$15.00
3Lien / Security Filing Fee

Unfinanced / cash purchase (waived $0.00)

$0.00
4Registration & Tag Fee

Base license plates & tags + $97.50 vehicle license fee (0.65% of price) + $66.00 transportation improvement fee

$273.50
California rates last verified: October 2026
Official Notice & Statutory Disclaimers

Estimates only, not tax or legal advice. Verify with the California DMV or CDTFA.

Use tax is based on the purchase price and the rate where you register the vehicle, and is paid to the DMV at transfer.

Private-party trade-in deductions are not permitted in California.

Registration includes the $76 registration fee, the $34 CHP fee, and estimates of the value-based fees: the vehicle license fee (0.65% of the price, since the DMV bases it on the new owner’s price when a registered vehicle is transferred) and the transportation improvement fee ($33 to $231 by value). Not included: county and district fees and the smog transfer fee.

County & Local Tax Note: California’s 7.25% base rate applies statewide. District taxes in many cities and counties raise the total, up to 11.75% (Lancaster and Palmdale from October 1, 2026). Use tax is based on the address where you register the vehicle.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this California DMV and CDTFA process.

No, if it is a true gift with nothing given in return, including no loan takeover.

Sources

Last verified: October 2026. Rules change, so check with California DMV and CDTFA before you go.

More California guides

How to Transfer a Private Car Sale in CaliforniaThe title, smog certificate, 10-day deadline, and use tax.Registering a Car in California After Moving From Another StateThe 20-day deadline, VIN verification, smog, and use tax.
California Private Party Car Tax Calculator