Free Hawaii Gift Bill of Sale
Gifting a vehicle in Hawaii means navigating county-level title transfers — Hawaii has four counties (Honolulu, Maui, Hawaii County, and Kauai), and each handles vehicle registration independently. Hawaii's 4% General Excise Tax is a tax on business activity, and a casual transfer between private individuals is not treated as doing business — so a family gift does not trigger it. As the only island state, Hawaii has no out-of-state title complications, but Honolulu County requires a safety inspection before the title can be transferred.
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Gifting a vehicle to a family member is a zero-dollar transfer, but the DMV still needs a bill of sale to process the title change. Our guide explains how the bill of sale and title work together and what recipients must show to claim the family-gift tax exemption. Read: Bill of Sale vs Title: What's the Difference? →
Hawaii Gift Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know
Primary Form
Standard bill of sale
Primary ID Field
VIN
Sales Tax
Exempt
Title Required
Yes
Inspection
Not required
Hawaii Gift Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist
- Obtain the original certificate of title — sign the back over to the recipient and print the recipient's name clearly
- Write 'GIFT' as the purchase price and state your family relationship on the bill of sale
- Complete the county-specific title transfer application form (varies by county)
- If in Honolulu County, schedule and pass a safety inspection before visiting the DMV
- Both donor and recipient visit the county DMV office together with the signed title (a notarized bill of sale is required only if the recorded owner has not released the title)
- Pay county registration fees (no GET is owed on a private, non-business gift)
- Recipient receives new title and registration in their name
Common Pitfalls
- Visiting the wrong county office — title transfers must be done at the county where the recipient will register the vehicle, not the donor's county
- Skipping the Honolulu safety inspection — Oahu vehicles require a valid safety inspection certificate before title transfer is processed
- Leaving the purchase price blank instead of writing 'GIFT' — a blank price leaves the nature of the transfer undocumented
- Forgetting to note the family relationship on the bill of sale — it is the simplest record that the transfer was a gift, not a sale
- Not bringing the original title — photocopies are not accepted; a lost title must be replaced through the county DMV before transfer
Hawaii Gift Bill of Sale — FAQs
Do I need to pay Hawaii's General Excise Tax when gifting a car to my child?
No. Hawaii's 4% General Excise Tax is a tax on doing business, and a casual, non-business transfer between private individuals does not count as doing business. Write 'GIFT' as consideration on the bill of sale and note your relationship to the recipient.
Which DMV office do I go to for a vehicle gift in Hawaii?
You must use the county DMV where the recipient plans to register the vehicle. Honolulu County uses the Honolulu City & County DMV offices; the other islands use their respective county offices. You cannot transfer title at a different island's office.
Is a safety inspection required to transfer a gifted car in Hawaii?
It depends on the county. Honolulu County (Oahu) requires a valid state safety inspection certificate before title transfer. The neighbor islands — Maui, Hawaii County, and Kauai — do not have a statewide safety inspection requirement, though registration renewal may require one.
Can I gift a car to my sibling and still avoid the GET?
Yes. The GET does not depend on a family relationship: a casual, non-business transfer between private individuals is not subject to it. Documenting the sibling relationship on the bill of sale still makes clear the transfer was a gift.