How the car donation process works
Start your donation and tell us what title you have
Begin your Metro Wheels donation online or by phone and describe the vehicle paperwork you have in hand. A clean title is preferred because it makes the transfer simple, but it is not the only possible path. Let the donation team know whether the title is New York, from another state, missing, damaged, in a family member’s name, or showing a lender. You do not need to decode DMV language on your own. Heritage for the Blind will help identify the next practical step before pickup is scheduled.
Use a clean title when available
If you have a clear title with no active lien, the process is usually straightforward. Keep the original title available, check that the vehicle identification number matches the car, and do not sign it too early unless the donation team instructs you. At pickup, the vehicle is signed over to Heritage for the Blind, EIN 58-2164446. The tow driver brings the pickup paperwork and can point out where signatures are needed. This helps donors in busy areas like Harlem, Astoria, Bay Ridge, Riverdale, and St. George avoid extra back-and-forth.
Ask for help if the title is lost or unavailable
Lost title situations are common, especially with older cars parked in garages, driveways, co-op lots, or family properties around the New York City Metro. Heritage for the Blind can guide you through your state’s lost-title process and explain whether the vehicle may still be eligible. In some cases, vehicles without titles can be accepted, but the details matter. The best move is to call and discuss the year, location, registration status, and ownership history. You will get clear guidance before arranging the free tow.
Resolve liens, inherited titles, and name issues
If a bank, credit union, or finance company is listed on the title, the lien must be satisfied before donation, or you should contact the lender to release the title. If the car is titled to someone else, Metro Wheels will help you understand what authorization may be needed. When the title is in a deceased spouse’s or parent’s name, probate paperwork, estate documents, or an affidavit of heirship may be required depending on the state and circumstances. These issues can often be handled, but they should be discussed before pickup.
Sign at pickup and keep your donation records
Once paperwork is ready, Metro Wheels arranges free towing at a convenient New York pickup location, whether the vehicle is running or not. At pickup, sign the title over to Heritage for the Blind as instructed; the driver handles the remaining pickup documents. Titles from another state are accepted when properly assigned. After the title handoff, a DMV visit is typically not required for the charity transfer itself, though you should follow any state plate or insurance rules. For vehicles sold for more than $500, Heritage provides IRS Form 1098-C.
Key facts about car donation
A clean title is preferred, but Heritage for the Blind can guide many lost-title situations.
Any active lien must be paid off or released by the lender before the donation can transfer.
At pickup, the title is signed over to Heritage for the Blind, EIN 58-2164446.
Out-of-state titles are accepted when ownership is clear and the assignment is completed properly.
Vehicles without titles can sometimes be accepted; call Metro Wheels before scheduling pickup.
Free towing is available across New York City Metro neighborhoods, boroughs, and nearby suburbs.