If good luck is on your side and a dear family member has decided to give you their vehicle, as a gift or even by selling it to you at a reasonable price, there are a few steps you need to take to legally drive it in Connecticut. First make sure that your family member is considered immediate family: mother, father, wife, husband, civil union partner, daughter, son, sister, or brother.
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Basically, processing a vehicle family transfer is similar to a title transfer with more perks though
Family transfer with the CT DMV
Transferring a car to an immediate family member in Connecticut involves a title transfer and a registration, so that you can actually take the vehicle out on the road. You can make an appointment with the CT DMV, but please note that with the ongoing pandemic, some DMVs in the Provisions State are operating differently. Some require appointments or have longer wait times; in fact, locations like Danbury and Enfield are booked four weeks out!
You need a valid title to register your family member’s car
In order to put your new (to you) vehicle in your name, you must provide the CT DMV with a few key items. Number one and always of utmost importance, your car title. Or SUV title, or pickup title…you get the point, you need your vehicle title. So make sure little bro or dear mama gave you their car title.
The singular exception to this rule is if the vehicle is more than 20 years old. In this case, you’d use a DMV form “Supplemental Assignment of Ownership” or Form Q-1. The good thing about transferring big items like a car between immediate family members is that you can always ring them up if you need to get more info! If they didn’t properly sign their title over to you, pick up the phone and ask. It’s necessary!
SEE ALSO: CONNECTICUT REGISTRATION RENEWAL
In a family title transfer, you are the purchaser, and the family member giving you the car is the seller
As always you need a formal CT ID like a Connecticut driver’s license as well as a valid Connecticut vehicle insurance. The auto insurance card must reflect your information, not your family member’s details. Insurance is not transferable between family members, so you need your very own policy. If you can get your hands on the old registration card, (it’s not required) do so, it can be helpful.
Application for Registration and Title or H-13B
Finally, the DMV wouldn’t be DMV if there wasn’t a form to fill out! For title and registration, Connecticut uses the “Application for Registration and Title” or H-13B. It’s a downloadable form so to save time, fill it out at home before you go! This may seem obvious, but in the interest of clarity, you’re the purchaser and little bro is the seller. This is true, even if no money is exchanged.
No sales tax for family
The greatest perk of transferring vehicles between immediate family members is being exempt from sales tax! The stipulation here is that the vehicle had to be in your family member’s name for at least two months before it was given to you.
The Provisions State offers all residents with Connecticut license plates on their vehicles free parking at all state parks and beaches
Emission inspections when transferring car to family
As long as the Connecticut vehicle registration was current when you got it, you can transfer it to your name and complete the required emissions check after. You have 30 days after it’s registered to get the inspection done. Emission inspections are evaluations regulated by each state individually to be sure that vehicles are safe to drive and safe for the environment.
If you want to keep the same CT license plates as your family member, a permission letter from them is required.
10 comments
I want to add my son to the registration/title of my car. We live in CT. My wife passed away and she was a co-owner on the title. What do I need to do?
To add a name in CT, you must visit a local CT DMV as we don’t offer that service online, only title transfer and registration.
If I am active duty military (not a CT resident) and planning to gift an out-of-state vehicle to an immediate family member (CT resident), do I just transfer title and follow the rest of the guidance (registration, emissions test, etc) you have in the article?
Yes, you can apply for a title transfer on eTags.com with the order to be placed in the new owner’s name. Essentially it’s the person getting the gift that’s doing the title transfer, as he’s the buyer even though it’s a gift.
Make sure there are no errors on the title as CT considers any correction or error a defaced title.
The giftee will need a VIN verification for out-of-state vehicle as well as a Bill of Sale, Title, CT ID and Auto Insurance for registration purposes
Are there any special requirements for a immediate family transfer originating in another state, like RI?
Hi there! Only you’ll need a new registration in CT!
What do you need to give the DMV if you’re gifting a used car to a non family member?
Hi there! You as the seller don’t need to submit anything to DMV. You’ll sign the title over and the buyer will take the title to DMV and complete the transfer. I hope this helps!
How do I add my Spouse to an existing title?
Hi Lois,
The easiest way to add your spouse to your title is online with eTags. You’ll do a title transfer (add name) Go ahead and place your order here and let me know if you need any help!