How to issue a deed of gift for a car between close relatives without a notary in: sample application and step-by-step instructions

Giving a car as a gift to a close relative is one of the simplest and most profitable transactions from the point of view of tax legislation. Unlike purchase and sale, donation between family members tax free 13% (Article 217 of the Tax Code of the Russian Federation), and from 2026 the procedure has become even simpler: notarization of a gift agreement between close relatives no longer required. However, this does not mean that you can do without documents or violate the registration procedure with the traffic police.

In this article you will find current sample application for deed of gift (can be downloaded for free), step-by-step instructions for completing a transaction without a notary, as well as an analysis of typical errors due to which the traffic police may suspend registration. We will analyze in detail what documents are needed, how to fill out the contract correctly, and what to do if the car is on credit or has encumbrances. We will pay special attention to the nuances of gifting between spouses, parents and children - there are pitfalls here that many are not aware of.

Who is considered a close relative for a deed of gift for a car?

According to Family Code of the Russian Federation (Article 14), close relatives are recognized as:

• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Parents and children (including adoptive parents/adoptees)
• 👴👵 Grandparents and grandchildren
• 👫 Full brothers/sisters (both parents common)

Important: spouses (husband/wife) are not close relatives according to the law, but donation between them is also not taxed (clause 18.1 of article 217 of the Tax Code of the Russian Federation). Cousins, aunts/uncles, nephews are not considered close relatives, and when donating a car to them, you will have to pay a 13% tax.

If you are giving a car not a close relativebut want to save on tax, consider the alternatives:

• 📝 Sales and purchase agreement indicating the minimum price (but the risk of tax audit)
• 💍 Marriage contract (if the donee is a spouse)
• 🏠 Including a car as an inheritance (but this is long and requires a notary)

⚠️ Attention: If you draw up a deed of gift for a person who is not a close relative, but indicate in the agreement that he is your relative, this is fraud. The tax office can challenge the transaction and charge an additional tax + fine of up to 40% of the cost of the car.

Step-by-step instructions: how to draw up a deed of gift without a notary

From 2026 Notarization of a gift agreement between close relatives is not required (Federal Law No. 218 of July 13, 2015, as amended in 2026). However, this does not mean that you can get by with a verbal agreement. Here required steps:

1. Draw up a gift agreement (sample below). You can write by hand or print. The main thing is to indicate all the required items.
2. Sign the contract both parties (donor and recipient). Signatures must be legible and match the passport.
3. Hand over the keys and documents per car (PTS, STS). It is advisable to draw up Acceptance certificate (not necessary, but will help in controversial situations).
4. Register the transaction with the traffic police. Without this, the car will legally remain with the previous owner.

Important: the deed of gift comes into force only after registration with the traffic police. If you signed an agreement, but did not re-register the car, the transaction is not completed, and the donor can cancel it.

Your passports (donor and recipient)|PTS and STS for the car|Donation agreement (3 copies)|Receipt for payment of state duty (350 rubles)|OSAGO insurance policy (if any)

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Sample application (agreement) for donating a car 2026

Below is current sample gift agreement, which you can download and fill out. Please note required fields, without which the contract may not be accepted by the traffic police:

AGREEMENT OF DONATION OF VEHICLE
[Location] "[date]" [month] [year]

Citizen of the Russian Federation [full name of the donor], [date of birth],
passport series [number], issued by [who and when], registered at: [address],
hereinafter referred to as the "Donor", on the one hand,

and a citizen of the Russian Federation [full full name of the donee], [date of birth],
passport series [number], issued by [who and when], registered at: [address],
hereinafter referred to as the "Donee", on the other hand,

have entered into this agreement as follows:

1. SUBJECT OF THE AGREEMENT
1.1. The Donor transfers ownership to the Donee free of charge, and the Donee accepts the gift
car [make, model], [year of manufacture], identification number (VIN) [number],
body number [number], chassis number [number], color [color], engine number [number],
state registration plate [number], vehicle passport (PTS)
series [series] No. [number], issued by [who and when].

2. RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES
2.1. The donor guarantees that the car is not under arrest, collateral or other encumbrances,
is not the subject of a dispute, is not mortgaged, is not seized, and is not the joint property of the spouses.
2.2. The recipient undertakes to register the car in his name within 10 days from the date of signing the contract.

3. SPECIAL CONDITIONS
3.1. This agreement comes into force from the moment it is signed and registered with the State Traffic Safety Inspectorate.
3.2. The costs of registering the car are borne by the Donee.

4. FINAL PROVISIONS
4.1. This agreement has been drawn up in three copies having equal legal force.
4.2. All changes and additions to the agreement must be made in writing.

SIGNATURES OF THE PARTIES:
Donor: _______________ /[full name]/
Donee: _______________ /[full name]/

Download a blank form in the format Word: [download link].

⚠️ Attention: If the PTS indicates several owners (for example, a car jointly owned by spouses), then they should all be givers and sign the contract. Otherwise, the traffic police will refuse registration.

How much does it cost to issue a deed of gift in 2026?

Registration of a deed of gift between close relatives is one of the most budget-friendly transactions with a car. Here current expenses for 2026:

Expense item	Cost (RUB)	Comment
State duty for registration with the traffic police	350	Paid by the donee (Article 333.33 of the Tax Code of the Russian Federation)
New license plates (if required)	2 000	Optional if the recipient wants to change numbers
OSAGO insurance	From 2 500	Depends on the experience of the recipient and the power of the machine
Notary (if you still decide to notarize)	From 1 500	Not necessary for close relatives
Legal services (optional)	From 3 000	If you order assistance in drawing up a contract

Total: minimum cost - 350 rubles. (state duty only). For comparison, when buying and selling, you would have to pay sales tax (if the car has been owned for less than 3 years) or income tax (if the price is underestimated).

However, there are hidden costs that many people forget:

• 🔧 Technical inspection (if the car’s diagnostic card has expired) - from 800 rubles.
• 📋 Deregistration/registration (if the car is not registered) - 500 rubles.
• 🔄 Replacing PTS (if there is no space for a new entry) - 800 rubles.

Typical mistakes when drawing up deeds of gift and how to avoid them

Even when drawing up a deed of gift between relatives, many make mistakes, due to which the traffic police suspends registration or the transaction is declared invalid. Here the most common mistakes:

1. Incorrect vehicle details. For example, an error in one character of the VIN or engine number. The traffic police checks the data with the database and will refuse if there is a discrepancy.
2. The signatures do not match the passport. If the donor signed “Ivanov I.I.”, but in the passport “Ivanov Ivan Ivanovich” - this is grounds for refusal.
3. It is not indicated that the transaction is free of charge. The contract must contain the word “donation” or “free of charge.” If you write “I transfer for 1 ruble,” this is already a purchase and sale, and the tax office may charge additional tax.
4. The car is pledged or under arrest. Before transaction, check the history through traffic police service or Autocode.
5. Registration deadlines not met. The donee must re-register the car within 10 days after signing the agreement (clause 3 of article 83 of the Civil Code of the Russian Federation).

To avoid problems use this checklist before visiting the traffic police:

All data in the contract coincides with the PTS|Signatures are legible and match the passports|State duty has been paid (350 rubles)|There is a valid MTPL|The car is not stolen/pledged (checked through the traffic police)

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⚠️ Attention: If the donor dies within 3 years after donation, the tax office may recognize the transaction as sham (Article 170 of the Civil Code of the Russian Federation) and assess additional tax to the heirs. To avoid this, keep evidence that the car was actually donated (photos of the keys being handed over, witness statements).

What to do if the car is on credit or has encumbrances

Giving a car that is pledged to a bank or has other encumbrances, possible, but only with the consent of the mortgagee (Article 35 of the Federal Law “On Pledge”). Here's what to do:

1. Obtain written consent from the bank. Contact the department with a statement of intent to donate a car. The bank may require you to repay the loan or re-issue the loan to the recipient.
2. Specify the encumbrance in the gift deed. In clause 1.1, add the phrase: “The car is pledged to [bank name] under agreement No. [number] dated [date].”
3. Register the transaction with the traffic police. Bring the bank's consent - without it, registration will not be carried out.

If the car is in leasing, it can be donated only after the ransom (Article 15 of the Federal Law “On financial lease”). The leasing company must give permission for early redemption, and then you can draw up a deed of gift.

Special case - car jointly owned by spouses. There are two options here:

• 📄 Consent of the second spouse (notarized). It is necessary if the car was purchased during marriage, but is registered in the name of one of the spouses.
• 🔄 Share allocation. First, the spouses share the car through a notary, then one of them donates his share.

What happens if you donate a car with an encumbrance without the bank’s consent?

The bank can challenge the deal in court and return the car to itself. In addition, the donee will not be able to register the car with the traffic police - during the inspection, an encumbrance will be revealed. In the worst case, the car will be repossessed for the debts of the previous owner, even if the new owner is not at fault.

How to re-register a car with the traffic police after donation

After signing the gift deed you have 10 daysto re-register the car to the donee. Here step-by-step algorithm:

1. Pay the state fee (350 rub.) via traffic police website or bank. Save your receipt.
2. Make an appointment to the traffic police through government services portal or by phone. Choose a convenient compartment.
3. Prepare your documents:
   • Passports of the donor and recipient
   • Donation agreement (3 copies)
   • PTS and STS
   • Receipt for payment of state duty
   • MTPL policy (if any)

Get your car inspected (if required). Since 2026, an inspection when re-registering between relatives is often not necessary, but it is better to check with your traffic police department.

Submit your documents in the registration window. You will be given a new PTS with a record of the new owner and a new STS.

Registration deadline: 1 working day, if the documents are in order. If they find errors, they will have to correct them and come again.

Important: the donee must be present in person. Re-register a car by proxy it's impossible - this contradicts Art. 574 of the Civil Code of the Russian Federation (donation requires the personal consent of the donee).

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about car deeds

Is it possible to issue a deed of gift for a car without the personal presence of the recipient?

No. According to Art. 574 of the Civil Code of the Russian Federation, the donee must personally express consent to accept the gift. Conclude a transaction by proxy or through a representative it's impossible. An exception is if the donee is a minor (then parents/guardians act for him).

Do I need to pay tax when gifting a car between close relatives?

No, if the donee is a close relative (parent, child, brother/sister, grandparent) or spouse. In these cases, the 13% tax is not charged (clause 18.1 of Article 217 of the Tax Code of the Russian Federation). If the donee is a cousin, aunt or other relative who is not part of a close circle, you will have to pay tax.

Is it possible to cancel a deed of gift after registration with the traffic police?

Yes, but only in exceptional cases (Article 578 of the Civil Code of the Russian Federation):

• If the donee has made an attempt on the life of the donor or his relatives.
• If the donee handles the car improperly (for example, deliberately breaks it).
• If the donor survives the donee (if this is stated in the contract).

To cancel you need to go to court. You can't just return the car.

What to do if there is no room in the title for a new owner record?

In this case, you will have to replace the PTS. To do this you need:

1. Pay the state fee of 800 rubles.
2. Submit an application to the traffic police to replace the vehicle title.
3. Provide an old vehicle title, passport and gift deed.

A new PTS will be issued on the day of application.

Is it possible to donate a car if it is stolen?

No. Any transactions with a stolen vehicle illegal (Article 175 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation - acquisition or sale of property known to have been obtained by criminal means). If you donate a stolen car without even knowing it, it will be confiscated and you may be prosecuted. Always check your car's history through official traffic police service.