Bring the gift recipient to the dealership: This gives them a voice in the buying and financing process.
Decide how to handle fees and ownership costs: Car ownership costs go beyond the initial purchase price. Reach an agreement with your recipient regarding taxes,
If you want to gift an existing car or mobile home to a family member or friend, start by paying off any outstanding loans or liens on the vehicle you intend to gift. You’ll need to prove lien satisfaction to obtain the vehicle’s certificate of title from the lienholder.
If you don’t have a title, you will need to apply to your county tax collector’s office for a
Both you and your intended recipient will need to complete the Transfer of Title by Seller, located on the back of the vehicle’s paper title. You should include the following information:
The name and address of your intended recipient
The date of the gift
The odometer reading at the time of gifting (unless the car is older than 10 years)
Once you’ve filled everything out on the transfer section, both you and the new vehicle owner will have to sign and print your names on the title.
Pro tip: If you only have an electronic title, you and your recipient can fill it out electronically to initiate the transfer of ownership.
Keep in mind: If you lose the paper title, you'll need to visit the DHSMV for a duplicate title (
, also known as a “notice of sale.” While it’s not required, a bill of sale can verify the transfer of ownership for the Florida Department of Revenue and protect you from liability should the car end up in an accident before the title transfer is processed.
4. Complete the title transfer at a motor vehicle service center
Once you fill out the title and the Application for Certificate of Title, along with any other supporting documents, head to your local Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) motor vehicle service center.
When you visit, make sure you bring the following documentation with you:
Keep in mind: You’ll also need to surrender your Florida license plates at the DMV—your gift recipient will get new ones when they register the vehicle in their name!
5. Pay your title transfer fees
For all title transfers, including out-of-state titles, the Florida title transfer fee is $75.25. If you want to expedite the title, there is an additional $10 fast title fee.
6. Purchase Florida liability insurance or full coverage
Once you’ve initiated the title transfer, provided all supporting documentation, and paid all applicable fees, you’ll want to make sure your gift recipient is insured!
A car cannot be gifted in the state of Florida without proof of insurance for yourself and a Florida Insurance Affidavit (
Can I transfer my Florida plates when I gift a vehicle?
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Unfortunately, no—a transfer of plates cannot be completed if the vehicle is being gifted. Once your recipient receives the title transfer and registers the car, they will be issued new plates by the FLHSMV.
Is it better to gift a vehicle or sell it for $1 in Florida?
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If you’re trying to give a car to a family member or friend, it’s better to transfer it as a gift than sell it for $1 in Florida. Florida is one of the few states that does not charge any gift tax on car titles transferred as a gift—making gifting the better option since you avoid paying any sales tax, and the process of transferring ownership is slightly easier.
Should I transfer my car as a gift or sell it for $1?
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Unlike many other states, Florida doesn’t hit you with a gift tax when you pass on a car title as a gift. When it comes to sales tax, they look at the selling price, not market value. So, giving someone a car as a gift in Florida may be a better option than selling it for $1 because you avoid paying any sales tax, and the process of transferring ownership is slightly easier.
Keep in mind: If you imported a new vehicle into Florida from another state, you will have to pay the use tax on car sales within six months. If you paid tax in the prior state, you could file for a tax credit to pay a total of 6% or more.
Can I gift my car to a teen driver?
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Yes, you can gift your car to a teen driver.
However, do expect higher rates: If the gifted car is a teenager’s first car, prepare for high car insurance rates. Consider the cost of insurance between the teen having their own car and policy vs. adding a second vehicle and driver to your policy.