Overview
When the exemption does apply, you still file Form DMV-EGTE-01 (Excise Tax Gift Exemption) with proof of the relationship - an original marriage license for spouses, a certified domestic partnership certificate, or a full birth certificate/adoption order showing both names for parent-child. You'll pay the flat $30 title fee either way; the only variable is whether the excise tax is waived.
01 - Official fees
Washington D.C. gift a car fees at a glance
| Fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Title fee (always due) | $30.00 | |
| Excise tax - qualifying gift, already DC-titled | $0.00 | Form DMV-EGTE-01 required |
| Excise tax - new-to-DC gift or non-qualifying recipient | 1.0%–11.0% | of NADA value, same grid as a sale |
| Lien recordation (if applicable) | $20.00 |
Figures verified June 2026 against official sources (listed below). Always confirm the final amount with the DC DMV - counties can add small local fees.
02 - Step by step
How to gift a car in D.C.
- 1
Confirm both conditions: the recipient is a spouse, domestic partner, or parent/child, AND the vehicle already carries a DC title.
- 2
Gather proof of relationship - original marriage license, domestic partnership certificate, or full birth certificate/adoption order.
- 3
Complete Form DMV-EGTE-01 (Excise Tax Gift Exemption) together with the standard title application.
- 4
Bring the signed-over title, the exemption form and proof, and photo ID to a DC DMV service center.
- 5
Pay the $30 title fee - no excise tax is charged if the exemption is approved.
03 - Same state, other costs
More Washington D.C. vehicle costs
04 - Common questions
Washington D.C. gift a car FAQ
Who actually qualifies for D.C.'s vehicle gift tax exemption?
Only spouses, domestic partners, and parents/children (including adoptive relationships, shown via a full birth certificate or adoption order). Siblings, grandparents, in-laws, and friends do not qualify - a gift to any of them is taxed exactly like a sale, on the vehicle's NADA value.
My parent is giving me their out-of-state car - is that excise-exempt?
No, and this is the rule that trips people up most: the exemption requires the vehicle to already be titled in the District. A parent-to-child gift of a car titled in Maryland or Virginia gets titled in DC as a new transaction and is fully excise-taxed on NADA value, even though no money changed hands.
What documents does Form DMV-EGTE-01 require?
An original marriage license for spouse gifts, a certified domestic partnership certificate for domestic partners, or an original full birth certificate or court adoption order showing both the giver's and recipient's names for parent-child gifts. Copies typically aren't accepted - bring originals.
Do I still pay the title fee on an exempt gift?
Yes - the $30 title fee applies to every title transaction regardless of whether excise tax is waived. A lien recordation fee ($20) also still applies if the recipient is financing the vehicle.
Can I get around the rule by 'selling' the car for $1 to a friend?
No. D.C.'s excise tax is calculated against NADA book value regardless of the stated sale price, so a token $1 sale between non-qualifying parties is taxed exactly the same as a market-rate sale - the low price on paper doesn't matter.
What about inheriting a car in D.C.?
Vehicles transferred through an estate use separate DC DMV probate/inheritance paperwork rather than the gift exemption form, and have their own documentation requirements (will, letters of administration, or small-estate affidavit) - check with the DC DMV title unit for the specific path.
05 - Receipts
Official sources
Every number on this page comes from these documents - check them yourself.