Do you want to donate a car in California but do not know how to go about it? Then you have arrived at the best place to learn. This article will give you the A-Z of how to donate a car in California. You will also learn about other vital aspects of car donation in California. So, do not skip this article for anything in the world.
As more people are getting interested in the business of car donation for varied reasons, it is important to learn how to do it correctly. This is because several people have fallen into the wrong hands because they do not know the right procedure to take and where to go.
So, in this article, we have given a detailed breakdown of how to donate a car in California. The information here is also helpful to those who wish to donate cars in other states of the US. so, with much ado, let’s get started.
Can I Donate A Car In California?
Yes, you can donate a car in California. That sounds interesting, right? When car donation was introduced to the United States many decades ago, it was limited to places like California, New York, and soon. However, as time went on, it spread to virtually every part of the US. Hence, you do not have to worry about traveling a long distance to begin the process of car donation. You can donate a car from wherever you are in California.
The process is usually seamless and time-saving. Plus, you can also donate other types of vehicles like trucks, motorcycles, bikes, boats, etc. See how to do it in the next paragraph.
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How To Donate A Car In California
As noted earlier, the process is easy and seamless. So if you want to donate your car in California, take the following steps.
Step 1: Locate A Legitimate Charity
This is a very important step to take before you begin the donation. Search through the internet and read about different charities that are genuine. This is because there are lots of scammers posing as charity organizations all around. Read reviews about them and ask for evidence of previous charity works.
Step 2: Choose A Reputable Charity
Now after researching about the charity and the car donation company, choose a reputable one through which you can make your donations.
Step 3: Fill Out The Car Donation Form
This step involves visiting the office or website of the car donation company to fill out the donation form. This is where the bulk of the process lies. You will be made to fill out several forms and correctly enter details about yourself and your car. You will need to fill out your name, phone number, email address, etc. You will also enter the Vehicle’s registration number, VIN, date, model, and so on.
Step 4: Fix A Pickup Time And Location
After filling out all the given forms, schedule a convenient time and location where the car can be picked up by the company. Make sure it is parked in an accessible place like a garage, street, walkway, etc where the towing van can pick it up. Note that this service is usually free so you do not have to worry about charges.
Step 5: Track Your Car Donation
Many car donation companies will provide you with a donor console that can be used to track the status of your donation. You will also be able to see the tax information and transfer instructions of the car with this console.
Where To Donate A Car In California.
The following are some reputable charities to donate your car in California
- Habitat for Humanity
- Special Olympics
- UNICEF USA
- San Francisco SPCA
- KCLU
- Salvation Army
- Goodwill Donations
- Breast Cancer Awareness
- Veterans Helping Veterans Foundation
- Wounded Warriors Project, etc.
How To Find Car Donations Near Me In California.
Locating a car donation organization in California is very easy as there are many ways to do it. You can find the nearest place to donate your car by using your search engine. To do this, connect your device to the internet and enter “car donation near me” on the search bar. The search engine will automatically use your location to show you the location near you.
You can also find one by using your Google map. The map is available on your mobile phone. All you have to do is allow it access your location and in a twinkle of an eye, you will have various options to choose from. You can also ask Siri, Alexia, etc to give you directions to the nearest place to donate your car in California.
Where Is The Best Charity To Donate A Car To In California?
Several charities can be seen as the best when it comes to car donations in California. This is because they have records of carrying out charitable projects in the various communities and places of the world. Hence, their records speak for them. Some of these charities as we have named above are Habitat for Humanity, UNICEF, The Salvation Army, USO, Goodwill Donations, and so on. The list is endless heneer recommends thorough research before you begin your donation.
Can You Donate A Car Without An SMOG In California?
Many charities accept car donations without first passing the smog test. So, if you have not gone through a smog test or you have failed a smog test, you can donate your car to a charity without the certificate. With this, you do not have to go through the process of fixing or carrying out any repairs on the car. This is because you are no longer responsible for the car as the charity will handle all that is needed. Another beautiful thing about this is that you will get help along the line.
How Can I Notify The DMV Of My Car Donation In California?
When you donate a car in California or any other state in the US, it is expected that you notify the DMV of the car donation for proper documentation. To do this, you will fill out a form either online or in person. This is called the Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability Form. Fill out this form within 5 days after the car is towed by the car donation company and send it to the office.
How Can I Transfer A Donated Car Title To In California?
As explained above, if you donate your car to charity in California. You can transfer the title by filling out and attaching the Notice Of Transfer/Release Of Liability form to it. Ensure that the name of the organization/charity that the car was donated to is boldly written on it.
Conclusion
It is beautiful to know that you can put a smile on the face of another person by donating your used vehicle. And it is exciting to know that donation doesn’t involve a difficult process. I hope from all that has been explained here, you have learned how to donate a car in California without any stress.