How to Gift a Car in Wisconsin in 2026

In Wisconsin, gifting a motor vehicle involves transferring ownership from one person to another without monetary consideration. The recipient must immediately apply for a new certificate of title in their name and comply with all state title and registration requirements.

How Does Gifting a Car in Wisconsin Work?

When a motor vehicle is gifted in Wisconsin, the donor must assign and warrant the vehicle title to the recipient by executing the assignment section on the back of the certificate of title. The donor must disclose the vehicle's odometer reading in writing at the time of transfer. The completed, signed title is then delivered to the recipient.

Upon receiving the vehicle and its title, the recipient must immediately apply for a new certificate of title in their own name. This application must be submitted to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation through the eMV Public online system or by completing the Wisconsin Title and License Plate Application (MV1) and mailing it to the department. The application identifies the transaction as a gift, which triggers the appropriate tax treatment under Wisconsin law. Upon approval, the recipient receives a new certificate of title bearing their name as the owner.

The recipient must also obtain vehicle registration. Wisconsin does not require vehicles to be registered at the time of title transfer, but any vehicle operated on public roads must have current registration, liability insurance, and valid license plates.

Wisconsin Car Gifting Rules You Should Know

Title Status

Every motor vehicle operated on a Wisconsin highway must be titled and registered. Under Wisconsin statute, when an owner transfers ownership of a vehicle, the transfer is not effective until the new owner applies for and the department issues a new certificate of title. The donor remains liable as the owner for the vehicle's operation only until the recipient takes possession and complies with all title requirements.

The recipient must provide the donor's signed, original title and complete the application for a new title. If the title is lost, mutilated, or stolen, the recipient may apply for a replacement title using Form MV2119, though a fee will apply.

License Plates

When a vehicle is transferred, the donor must remove the registration plates in accordance with Wisconsin law. For motorcycles, automobiles registered as special vehicles, motor homes, and motor trucks with a gross weight of 8,000 pounds or less, the donor must remove the plates and retain them for use on another vehicle of the same type subsequently registered in their name. For farm trucks with a gross weight of 12,000 pounds or less, the donor must remove plates and preserve them for use on another farm truck of the same weight.

For all other transfers, the plates may remain on the vehicle unless it has been junked, or the new owner will not be entitled to register at the same special fee rate. The recipient may apply for new plates or, in limited cases, transfer eligible plates from another vehicle already registered in their name, though such transfers are subject to restrictions.

Taxes and Fees

Under Wisconsin tax law, a vehicle transferred as a gift is exempt from sales tax if the transaction involves genuinely no exchange of money, property, or services. To claim the gift exemption, the recipient must specify "gift" as the sales tax exemption reason when applying for the title, and the vehicle must currently carry a Wisconsin title. Transfers with out-of-state titles cannot use the gift exemption and may be subject to sales tax.

Wisconsin offers special family transfer sales tax exemptions for transfers between spouses, parents and children, stepparents and stepchildren, and certain in-law relationships, provided the vehicle is titled in Wisconsin. These transfers are fully exempt from sales tax and do not require payment of tax on any value.

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

Step 1: Verify the current vehicle title.

The donor must obtain the vehicle's original certificate of title and verify that the names of all owners match current identification documents. If the title lists multiple owners, confirm whether they are joined by "and" or "or," as this determines the required number of signatures.

Step 2: Record the odometer reading and complete the mileage disclosure.

The donor must record the vehicle's current odometer reading and note whether the reading represents actual mileage, exceeds mechanical limits, or reflects a known discrepancy. This information will be written on the back of the title in the assignment section at the time of transfer.

Step 3: Execute the title assignment.

The donor must sign the assignment section on the back of the certificate of title, including the recipient's name, address, and any other required information. The donor must write the odometer reading, specify the mileage status, and print and sign their name. If the title lists multiple owners joined by "and," both must sign. If joined by "or," either may sign.

Step 4: Deliver the vehicle and signed title to the recipient.

The donor transfers physical possession of the vehicle to the recipient and delivers the original, signed certificate of title. The donor should also provide written confirmation that the transfer constitutes a gift with no money or property exchanged.

Step 5: Recipient applies for new title immediately.

The recipient must immediately complete an application for a new certificate of title. The recipient may use the eMV Public online system to begin the application, selecting "gift" as the tax exemption reason, or complete a paper MV1 application and mail it with the signed title and any applicable fees.

Step 6: Obtain liability insurance.

Before registration can be finalized, the recipient must obtain motor vehicle liability insurance meeting Wisconsin's minimum requirements and provide proof of insurance to the department.

Step 7: Submit title application and required documents.

If applying online through eMV Public, the recipient will print an application receipt after completing the online process and mail it to the department along with the original signed title. If submitting by mail, the recipient should mail the completed MV1 form, the original title, and payment to the specified address. Applications mailed in are processed, and the certificate of title is printed and returned to the recipient by mail.

Step 8: Receive new certificate of title and register vehicle.

Upon approval, the recipient receives a new certificate of title in their name. The recipient may then complete vehicle registration if the vehicle will be operated on public roads, providing proof of insurance and, if required, wheel tax compliance. The recipient may apply for new license plates or, if eligible, transfer existing plates from another vehicle registered in their name.

Documents Needed for Gifting a Car in Wisconsin

The following documents are required to complete a gift transfer in Wisconsin:

• Original vehicle certificate of title, signed and assigned to the recipient by the donor
• Wisconsin Title and License Plate Application (MV1) or completed eMV Public online application
• Odometer mileage disclosure statement on the back of the title or on a form prescribed by the department, completed and signed by both donor and recipient
• Valid government-issued identification (driver's license or state ID) of the recipient
• Lien release from any lienholder if the vehicle currently has an outstanding loan
• Statement of Intent (MV2489) if the title shows any alterations or corrections
• Proof of liability insurance for the recipient (when registering the vehicle)
• Payment for applicable title and transfer fees

Applicable Fees and Taxes When Gifting a Car in Wisconsin

The cost of gifting a vehicle in Wisconsin includes the title transfer fee and applicable registration fees. The standard title transfer fee is $214.50 per transfer. An additional supplemental title fee of $7.50 applies to each transfer application for the first title issuance or for transfers.

A vehicle transferred as a gift with no exchange of money, property, or services is exempt from Wisconsin sales tax. This exemption applies to transfers with a current Wisconsin title. Transfers involving out-of-state titles do not qualify for the gift exemption and may be subject to sales tax.

Special family transfer exemptions also apply to transfers between spouses, parents and children, stepparents and stepchildren, and certain in-law relationships. These transfers are fully exempt from sales tax and require no tax payment on any vehicle value.

Once titled, the recipient must pay annual vehicle registration fees based on vehicle class. Automobiles register at $85 annually, motorcycles at $23 biennially, and recreational vehicle trailers at $15 annually. Hybrid and electric vehicles incur annual surcharges of $75 and $175, respectively. Many Wisconsin counties also impose a wheel tax on standard passenger vehicles and light trucks, collected at the time of registration.

Contact Information

Wisconsin Department of Transportation Division of Motor Vehicles
P.O. Box 7949, Madison, WI 53707-7949
Phone: (608) 266-1466
Official Website: Wisconsin Department of Transportation