Contrary to popular belief, donating a car in California doesn’t have to be a challenge. Knowing how to donate a car properly, and to who can make the entire experience go smoothly. After all, who wants to have trouble getting rid of that car that you don’t want anymore? Check out our guide on how to donate a car in California and get the answers you need.
Reasons behind you wanting to donate a car should not matter here. If you have already tried but have not had success selling your car, no better way to get rid of it than donating. Not only are you rid of a problem, but you can also help a charity or a group of people that truly need it.
Common donate a car FAQ
What do I need to donate a car in California?
You will need the vehicle title, and depending on where you want to donate it you won’t need much else. Many charities will still come tow away your vehicle, with or without the keys. You will need a legal identification or drivers license, and the pink slip to the vehicle in question.
What do I need to do legally in order to donate a car?
You must legally own the vehicle. Attached to your certificate of ownership, there is a “Release of Liability”. This will have to be fully filled out before you can donate a car in California.
Deliver this completed form to your local DMV. Once you have done this, cancel your auto insurance. For more information on donating a car in California, make sure to check http://www.dmv.ca.gov/ to answer the donation laws.
How much will I get from donating my car?
There are several factors that come into play when you want to answer this question about donating a vehicle. You can claim a certain amount from the IRS if you meet the following criteria.
- The value of your vehicle up to $500
- If donated to an organization, the amount the vehicle is sold for should that amount exceed $500 dollars.
What kind of organizations should I look for?
Always ensure when you donate a car, that should you pick a charity, make sure it’s a 501(c)(3) charity organization. You would also be best served by checking with your CPA or tax advisor to properly gauge the value of your vehicle.
Donating a car doesn’t have to be hard, but do it with the right amount of research. Your deduction is of value only if you itemize the deductions. For a more detailed overview, the IRS publishes a Donors Guide to Car Donation. Make sure to check out their website here.
How do I sign my pink slip?
If you refer to the image above, there are green arrows that signify where to sign. In order to donate a car properly in California, simply check the pink slip above.
Sign where both arrows appear and make sure to sign the same name that is listed on the pink slip. When you donate a car, you will want to also use the title document and provide it to your charity. If your car does not run, hand it to the tow truck driver instead.
How do I transfer the ownership
Once you have your liability release form filled out, you can change the ownership of your donated vehicle quickly. Simply update the information on record with the DMV in California. This is done through the Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability.
As shown above, this is where you want to fully fill out the pink slip to your car. Once you have this filled out, you are responsible for reporting this change to DMV.
There are a variety of ways to donate a car legally in California.
- Online – Many charities now accept online forms for donated vehicles. You can also legally sign for these pink slips online. This is one of the easiest ways to submit your Release of Liability.
- Go to DMV – Head into a local office and get the paperwork submitted the good old fashioned way. Making an appointment is highly recommended. If you have AAA, you can also head into one of their offices as they provide DMV services.
- Snail Mail – Mail the transfer to the DMV using the address below :
- Department of Motor vehicles
Notice of transfer and release of liability
PO Box 942859
Sacramento, CA 94259
What if I don’t have my pink slip?
Not to worry should you not have the ownership document. You can still donate a car in California without one, but your options may be limited. Many charities can assist you by supplying a new copy for you. There are a few that will also pay the transfer fees for you, that’s just how easy it is.
How can get a new pink slip?
You will need to print the DMV form for replacement ownership documentation. This is located here at the DMV
Much like the release of liability, you can submit this in person. You will also need to remit payment in person as well. You can alternately submit the payment and paperwork to DMV using the address below.
Department of Motor Vehicles
Registration Operations
P.O. Box 942869 MS E69
Sacramento, CA 94269-0001
Are there any exceptions to donating a car in California?
There are indeed a few counties in California where you can donate a vehicle without having paperwork. As previously stated, many charities will also help you in this regard. If you happen to live in any one of these California counties, you can donate a car that much more easily.
You can donate a car in these counties with just a proof of ownership.
- Alameda, Alpine, Amador
- Butte, Calaveras, Colusa
- Contra Costa, Del Norte
- El Dorado, Fresno, Glenn
- Humboldt, Imperial, Inyo
- Kern, Kings, Lake, Lassen
- Los Angeles, Madera, Marin
- Mariposa, Mendocino, Merced
- Modoc, Mono, Monterey, Napa
- Nevada, Orange, Placer, Plumas
- Riverside, Sacramento, San Benito
- San Bernardino, San Diego, San Francisco
- San Joaquin, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo
- Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz
- Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Solano, Sonoma
- Stanislaus, Sutter, Tehama, Trinity, Tulare
- Tuolumne, Ventura, Yolo, Yuba
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