How to Gift a Car in Pennsylvania in 2026

Gifting a motor vehicle in Pennsylvania requires the donor to properly assign the title to the recipient and both parties to complete formal documentation and affidavits. Unlike some states, Pennsylvania treats gift transfers similarly to sales from a title and registration perspective, with the significant exception that gifts are exempt from sales tax when properly documented. The gift transaction must be completed through an authorized PennDOT agent, and the recipient must apply for a new Pennsylvania certificate of title within 20 days of acquisition to avoid late filing penalties.

How Does Gifting a Car in Pennsylvania Work?

In Pennsylvania, transferring vehicle ownership as a gift involves the donor signing over the existing title to the recipient, both parties executing an Affidavit of Gift form, and the recipient submitting a completed title application to an authorized PennDOT agent. The certificate of title requirement applies uniformly to all ownership transfers regardless of consideration. When a vehicle holds a Pennsylvania title, the recipient must file Form MV-4ST, Vehicle Sales and Use Tax Return/Application for Registration, along with the signed title and the completed Affidavit of Gift (Form MV-13ST), which establishes that no consideration was exchanged and qualifies the transfer for sales tax exemption. The application, supporting documents, and all required fees must be submitted to PennDOT within 20 days of the acquisition date. For vehicles titled outside Pennsylvania, the recipient must instead use Form MV-1, Application for Certificate of Title, and must have the out-of-state title properly assigned by the donor.

Both the donor and recipient must possess valid identification and meet residency requirements to complete the transfer. The recipient becomes the registered owner only after PennDOT processes the application and issues a new certificate of title. During the interim period, the donor remains the registered owner, though the signed title assignment provides evidence of the transfer.

Pennsylvania Car Gifting Rules You Should Know

Title Status

All motor vehicles operated on Pennsylvania public roads must have a valid certificate of title issued by PennDOT, with limited exceptions for vehicles used exclusively off-road or for specific agricultural purposes. When a gift transfer occurs, both parties must recognize that Pennsylvania requires the recipient to apply for a new title within 20 days of receiving the vehicle. The donor's title must be properly signed and assigned, and the signature requires notarization unless completed through an authorized PennDOT agent or licensed dealer who may verify the signature in lieu of notarization. If the current title is lost, damaged, or cannot be located, the donor must first obtain a duplicate title before the transfer can proceed.

License Plates

When a vehicle is transferred as a gift in Pennsylvania, the donor must remove the license plate from the vehicle. The plate may be transferred to another vehicle owned by the same individual, surrendered to PennDOT if no longer needed, or transferred to the recipient's new vehicle under specific circumstances. Under Section 1314(a) of the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code, a registration plate may be transferred between certain family relationships, including spouses, parents and children (including step-relationships), and in-law relationships. The recipient may request that the transfer of the donor's plate be included with the title application or may apply for a new plate issuance. If the donor's plate is transferred to the recipient's vehicle, a transfer fee of $11.00 is required. If a new plate is issued, the standard registration plate issuance fee applies.

Taxes and Fees

Pennsylvania imposes no sales tax on vehicles transferred as gifts, provided the donor and recipient complete and sign the Affidavit of Gift (Form MV-13ST) affirming under penalty of perjury that no consideration of any value was exchanged. This affidavit must accompany the title application. Failure to claim the gift exemption or inability to provide proper documentation will result in sales tax being calculated on the fair market value of the vehicle, not the stated purchase price.

Pennsylvania maintains a Motor Vehicle Understated Value Program that allows the Department of Revenue to assess sales tax based on fair market value rather than a stated sale price when a transaction price appears substantially lower than the vehicle's actual value. This program applies to all vehicle transfers, including those between family members, though properly documented gifts are exempt from this review.

Certain fees apply to all gift transfers. The title fee for a passenger vehicle is $72.00. If the recipient intends to register and operate the vehicle on public roads, registration fees apply based on vehicle type and registration duration. County fees of $5.00 per year may apply to vehicles registered to addresses in participating counties. Lien recording fees, duplicate registration card fees ($2.00 per card), and specialty plate fees may also apply depending on the specific transaction circumstances.

Step-By-Step Process To Gift a Car in Pennsylvania

Step 1: Verify the vehicle holds a Pennsylvania title or obtain the existing proof of ownership.

The donor must confirm the vehicle currently carries a Pennsylvania certificate of title. If the title is lost or has been damaged, the donor must obtain a duplicate title by completing the Application for Duplicate Certificate of Title by Owner (Form MV-38O), and submitting it with the required fee before the gift transfer can proceed. For vehicles with out-of-state titles, the donor must maintain possession of the original title to execute a proper assignment.

Step 2: Document the vehicle's current odometer reading and condition.

The donor must record the current odometer mileage reading as a prerequisite to transferring the title. This information must be entered on the back of the existing title in the space designated for odometer disclosure. The odometer reading becomes part of the permanent transfer record and cannot be altered once recorded.

Step 3: Obtain and complete the Affidavit of Gift (Form MV-13ST).

Both the donor and recipient must complete Form MV-13ST, Affidavit of Gift, under penalty of perjury. The form requires the donor to declare that nothing of value, including money, property, services, or forgiveness of debt, has been received from the recipient in consideration for the transfer. The recipient must similarly declare that nothing of value has been given to the donor for the vehicle. Both parties must provide valid Pennsylvania identification information, including driver's license or photo identification numbers and dates of birth. The form also requires disclosure of any family relationship between the parties. Both the donor and recipient must sign and date the affidavit before an authorized notary public or authorized PennDOT agent.

Step 4: Have the title assignment notarized and execute the title transfer.

The donor must sign the back of the Pennsylvania certificate of title where the transfer assignment section is located. The donor's signature must be notarized by a notary public or verified by an authorized PennDOT agent or licensed dealer. The donor must hand-print their name and date the assignment. If multiple owners appear on the title joined by "AND," both owners must sign and have their signatures notarized. If owners are joined by "OR," only one owner need sign.

Step 5: Locate an authorized PennDOT agent and schedule a title transfer appointment.

The recipient must identify an authorized agent to complete the title transfer application. Authorized agents include licensed notaries public, dealer network partners, messenger services, and some financial institutions. The recipient should contact the selected agent to confirm they provide title transfer services and to inquire about any service fees beyond the statutory PennDOT fees.

Step 6: Gather required documents and bring valid identification.

The recipient must bring the following to the appointment: (1) a valid Pennsylvania driver's license or Pennsylvania photo identification card; (2) the original Pennsylvania certificate of title, properly signed and notarized by the donor with odometer reading recorded; (3) the completed and signed Affidavit of Gift (Form MV-13ST); (4) proof of valid liability insurance if registration is to be issued, in the form of a current insurance identification card or declaration page; (5) payment for all applicable title, registration, and fees. If the recipient plans to transfer an existing license plate from another vehicle, documentation of that plate and authorization from the previous owner (if applicable) must be provided.

Step 7: Complete title application and pay all fees.

The authorized agent will complete Form MV-4ST, Vehicle Sales and Use Tax Return/Application for Registration, or Form MV-1 depending on the vehicle's title history. The agent will record the gift exemption reason code and attach the Affidavit of Gift to the application. The recipient must sign the application in the agent's presence. All fees, including the $72.00 title fee and applicable registration fees, must be paid at this time. The agent will provide a receipt and may issue temporary registration credentials if registration is being requested.

Step 8: Submit application to PennDOT and monitor processing.

The authorized agent submits the completed application, title, affidavit, and all supporting documents to PennDOT within the processing timeframe. The recipient should retain copies of all documents for their records. PennDOT typically processes title applications within 2 to 4 weeks. Once the new title is issued, it will be mailed to the recipient's address on file.

Documents Needed for Gifting a Car in Pennsylvania

The following documents are essential to complete a vehicle gift transfer in Pennsylvania:

• The original Pennsylvania Certificate of Title, properly assigned on the reverse side and signed by all registered owners, with signatures notarized or verified by an authorized agent
• Completed and signed Affidavit of Gift (Form MV-13ST) signed by both donor and recipient, attesting that no consideration was exchanged
• Form MV-4ST, Vehicle Sales and Use Tax Return/Application for Registration, completed by an authorized agent and signed by the recipient, with gift exemption code indicated
• Valid Pennsylvania Driver's License or Pennsylvania Photo Identification Card for the recipient showing current address
• Current proof of liability insurance if registration is to be issued, such as an insurance identification card or declaration page
• Payment in the form of check, money order, credit card, or debit card (acceptable forms vary by submission method) covering all applicable title, registration, and county fees
• If the vehicle was previously titled in an out-of-state jurisdiction, the original out-of-state title and, if required for certain vehicle types, a VIN verification or tracing by a certified mechanic or authorized agent
• If multiple owners appear on the current title joined by "AND," authorization and signatures from all owners, notarized if required by jurisdiction
• Duplicate title form (MV-38O) with fee, if the original title is lost or unavailable

Applicable Fees and Taxes When Gifting a Car in Pennsylvania

Vehicles received as gifts are exempt from the 6% Pennsylvania sales tax (7% total in Allegheny County, 8% total in Philadelphia) when the Affidavit of Gift is properly completed and submitted. No sales tax is due on a bona fide gift transfer. However, if the gift exemption cannot be properly documented, or if the Department of Revenue determines that fair market value is substantially higher than any stated consideration, the Motor Vehicle Understated Value Program may require assessment of use tax on the fair market value of the vehicle.

All fees are payable to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Payments to authorized agents may also include service or delivery fees charged by the agent, which are market-driven and may vary. Authorized agents are required to disclose their service fees in advance of transaction processing.

Contact Information

Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Bureau of Motor Vehicles
1101 South Front Street, Harrisburg, PA 17104
Phone: (717) 412-5300
Official Website: Pennsylvania DMV