How to Gift a Car in Massachusetts in 2026

Vehicle gifts in Massachusetts are transfers of ownership from one individual to another without monetary exchange. The transfer is processed through the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) using the standard title and registration system. The transfer of vehicle ownership is governed by Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 90D, which establishes the framework for vehicle titling requirements.

How Does Gifting a Car in Massachusetts Work?

When a motor vehicle is gifted in Massachusetts, the donor assigns the vehicle title to the recipient, and the recipient applies for a new registration and title in the recipient's name. The recipient must complete a Registration and Title Application and submit supporting documentation to an RMV Service Center.

Massachusetts Car Gifting Rules You Should Know

Title Status

Most motor vehicles operated in Massachusetts require a certificate of title. Vehicles that are exempt from titling requirements include passenger vehicles with a model year of 1980 or older that were purchased before November 26, 1990. For title-exempt vehicles, the recipient uses the previous owner's registration and bill of sale in place of a title.

All other vehicles require a certificate of title in the recipient's name before registration and operation. The title must accurately reflect the vehicle's identification number (VIN) and show no liens or encumbrances or document that any liens have been satisfied.

License Plates

Before transferring the vehicle, the donor removes the license plates. The plates remain the donor's property and are not transferred with the vehicle. The recipient does not receive or reuse the donor's plates. The recipient applies for new plates when registering the gifted vehicle at an RMV Service Center.

Taxes and Fees

A gift transfer in Massachusetts may qualify for a sales tax exemption depending on the relationship between donor and recipient. For transfers between immediate family members (parent, child, spouse, or sibling), the donor completes Form MVU-26. For gifts to non-family members, the donor completes Form MVU-24.

Even with a sales tax exemption, the recipient remains responsible for the $75 title fee, registration fees based on plate type, and a non-refundable $25 gift transfer fee. The recipient must also obtain an annual vehicle excise tax bill from the municipality where the vehicle is garaged and maintain active liability insurance.

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

Step 1: Verify title availability and lien status.

The donor confirms possession of the vehicle's certificate of title or, for vehicles exempt from titling, the previous registration. If a lien exists against the vehicle, the donor obtains proof that the lien has been or will be satisfied before transfer.

Step 2: Determine sales tax exemption eligibility.

The donor and recipient determine whether the gift qualifies for a sales tax exemption. Immediate family includes parents, children, spouses, and siblings. Grandparents, cousins, aunts, and uncles do not qualify for the family transfer exemption. If the recipient is an immediate family member, the donor will complete Form MVU-26. If the recipient is not an immediate family member but the transfer qualifies as a gift, the donor will complete Form MVU-24.

Step 3: Complete the title assignment.

The donor completes the back of the certificate of title by:

• Recording the date of transfer
• Entering the odometer reading
• Writing "GIFT" in the sale price field (if such a field exists)
• Signing and printing the donor's name
• Providing the donor's address

The recipient completes the buyer section by signing, printing their name, and providing their address.

Step 4: Complete the sales tax exemption form.

If claiming an exemption, the donor and recipient complete the appropriate form (MVU-26 for family or MVU-24 for non-family gifts) under penalty of perjury, certifying that no money was exchanged and that the transfer qualifies as a gift.

Step 5: Obtain liability insurance.

The recipient obtains an active liability insurance policy meeting Massachusetts minimum requirements with an insurance company licensed in Massachusetts. The recipient provides the insurance agent with the vehicle information and completes the insurance application.

Step 6: Complete the Registration and Title Application.

The recipient completes the Registration and Title Application with vehicle, owner, and title and lien information. The recipient signs the application, and the insurance agent stamps and signs it to verify that liability insurance is in effect.

Step 7: Gather supporting documents.

The recipient compiles the completed and signed Registration and Title Application, the assigned title from the donor, the odometer statement showing the current mileage and signed by both parties, the completed sales tax exemption form (MVU-24 or MVU-26) if claiming an exemption, and proof of current liability insurance.

Step 8: Visit an RMV Service Center.

The recipient takes all completed forms and supporting documents to an RMV Service Center in person (except the Natick location, which is for online transactions only). The recipient provides payment for the title fee ($75), registration fee (varies by plate type, refer to RMV Schedule of Fees), and the non-refundable $25 gift transfer fee (if applicable for non-family gifts; waived for qualifying family transfers using MVU-26).

Step 9: Receive new registration and plates.

After the transaction is processed, the recipient receives a registration certificate, new license plates, and a year's worth of expiration decals. The RMV processes and mails the new certificate of title in approximately 6 to 8 weeks.

Step 10: Obtain vehicle inspection.

The recipient must obtain a vehicle inspection sticker within 7 days of the registration date from any authorized Massachusetts inspection station.

Documents Needed for Gifting a Car in Massachusetts

• Current certificate of title, properly assigned by the donor to the recipient with date of transfer, odometer reading, and "GIFT" in the price field
• Registration and Title Application, completed and signed by the recipient, with insurance agent stamp and signature
• Completed sales tax exemption form: Form MVU-26 for immediate family transfers, or Form MVU-24 for non-family gifts (signed by both donor and recipient under penalty of perjury)
• Proof of active liability insurance meeting Massachusetts minimum compulsory coverage requirements
• Bill of sale (if the vehicle is exempt from titling and no title exists) showing the previous owner's registration and the transfer as a gift
• Odometer disclosure statement showing current mileage signed by both donor and recipient
• Lien release or proof of lien satisfaction (if applicable)

For title-exempt vehicles (generally model year 1980 or older purchased before November 26, 1990), the recipient uses the previous owner's registration and a bill of sale instead of a title.

Applicable Fees and Taxes When Gifting a Car in Massachusetts

Sales tax exemptions require submission of Form MVU-26 (family transfers: parent, child, spouse, sibling) or Form MVU-24 (non-family gifts). Without proper exemption documentation, the recipient pays 6.25% sales tax calculated on the purchase price or the National Automobile Dealer Association (NADA) trade-in value, whichever is higher. Registration fees vary significantly by plate type; refer to the RMV Schedule of Fees for specific amounts. The $25 gift transfer fee applies only to non-family gifts claimed under MVU-24; family transfers using MVU-26 do not require this fee.

Contact Information

Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles
136 Blackstone Street, Boston, MA 02109
Phone: (857) 368-8000
Official Website: Registry of Motor Vehicles