Donating a car is usually simpler than selling one. There is no listing to write, no strangers in your driveway and no haggling over a price. Here is the whole process, start to finish, so you know exactly what you are signing up for.
1. Decide where you want the proceeds to go
Most vehicle donation programs support a set of participating charitable organizations. Choosing your cause first makes every later step easier, because the paperwork is issued in connection with that organization.
2. Gather your vehicle details
- ZIP code where the vehicle is parked
- Year, make and model
- Approximate mileage and whether it runs
- Title status, and who is listed as owner
You do not need to clean it, fix it or get it running. Condition affects what the vehicle ultimately sells for, not whether it can be accepted.
3. Submit the online form or call
A short form is usually enough to start. A representative confirms the details, answers title questions and schedules pickup at a time that suits you.
4. Free pickup and towing
A licensed towing partner collects the vehicle. You do not need to drive it anywhere, and you should never be asked to pay towing costs out of pocket. Remove personal belongings and license plates according to your state's rules before pickup.
5. Sale and proceeds
After collection the vehicle is sold at auction, resold, or recycled for parts and scrap. The charitable organization receives net proceeds after towing, title processing, sales fees and administration. Amounts vary by vehicle, so no program can promise a fixed figure up front.
6. Paperwork for your records
You receive documentation reflecting the donation once the vehicle is processed. Whether you can claim a deduction, and how much, depends on IRS rules and your own tax situation. A tax professional is the right person to confirm that for you.
How long does it take?
Submitting details takes a few minutes. Pickup scheduling typically happens within a few business days, and the sale and paperwork steps follow once the vehicle is collected. If timing matters to you, say so on the call.
Turn your car into good carma.
Free pickup, no hassle, and you choose the cause it supports.
Donate My Car