Procedures for Changing Vehicle Ownership: Inheritance, Donation, and Divorce

Inheriting a vehicle is something very common, whether it is from a relative, a friend or a person who has passed away. In order to change the ownership of the same, the DGT informs of the three steps that must be carried out. In the first place, the document that proves the inheritance must be obtained, in which there must be a prior agreement if there are several heirs to designate one as the owner. Then, the Inheritance and Donations Tax (ISD) must be paid, which must be paid in the Autonomous Community of the person who is going to own the vehicle. Finally, the heir must transfer the vehicle to the DGT, either in person or online.

In the case of donating a car to a relative or acquaintance, it is considered a special situation of sale at zero cost. The difference with respect to the inheritance of a vehicle is that the new owner must sign a document or donation contract in which he must include his DNI, NIE or CIF, the seller’s data, including in addition to his name and surname, the company name and also his DNI, NIE or CIF, fill in the vehicle data and, finally, include the date and time at which the contract was signed.

As a consequence of a divorce or breakup, a mutual agreement can be reached or resolved by judicial resolution, which includes the change of ownership of the vehicles that the couple had. In this case, the future owners of the vehicle must first obtain the document accrediting the break agreement. Afterwards, the Property Transfer Tax must be paid, which can currently be done electronically and finally, as in the other cases, the vehicle is transferred to the DGT.