Donate Your Car to DAV
Help the brave men and women who served by donating any car, truck, RV or boat—and you could qualify for a tax deduction at the same time.
Donating is a great way to get rid of an old or extra vehicle. The process is easy and we provide free and convenient pick-up. Turn your vehicle into resources that help ensure our nation’s heroes have the opportunity to enjoy the freedoms their sacrifices have made possible.
To donate your vehicle or for more information, please call 833-CAR-4DAV (833-227-4328) or click here.
How it works
Call or Submit the Online Form
Call us toll free at 833-CAR-4DAV (833-227-4328) seven days a week or submit the secure online form. All vehicles are considered! We accept cars, trucks, RVs, motorcycles, trailers, boats, campers, off-road vehicles, heavy equipment, and most other motorized vehicles— whether they’re running or not.
Schedule Your Free Pick-up
Choose best time that works for you! Our Donor Support Representatives will arrange to have a licensed tow company pick up your vehicle. We can pick up your vehicle just about anywhere in the U.S. within 72 hours of completing the donation.
Tax Benefits
Most vehicle donations qualify for a tax deduction. When your vehicle is picked up, the driver will provide you with an initial donation receipt. You may claim as a tax deduction the fair market value of your vehicle up to $500 on your donation even if your vehicle sells for less. If your vehicle sells for over $500, we will provide a 1098-C IRS form which will allow you to claim the full sale price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! We can accept most vehicles, running or not. However, it must be in one piece, have an engine, be tow truck accessible and towable. No smog certificate is necessary. To find out if we can accept your vehicle, please complete our secure online donation form or call us toll-free at 833-CAR-4DAV (833-227-4328) seven days a week during regular hours of operation.
In most states, you will need the clear title to the vehicle— but if you do not have it, or have problems with your title, please call us anyway. It is possible that other arrangements may be made. Any lien holder listed on the title must be cleared and or released by the bank. Please refer to the Motor Vehicle Division in your state for clear instructions. We are also available seven days a week during regular hours of operation. Please call us toll-free at 833-CAR-4DAV (833-227-4328).
We have multiple sales outlets and work hard to find the best buyer for each vehicle. The entire sale process may take up to 4-12 weeks. The net cash proceeds from your generous vehicle donation are sent to DAV within 5 business days upon the receipt of the sale proceeds from CARS auction or direct buyer providers.
8:00am – 10:00pm (EST), Mon – Fri
9:00am – 8:00pm (EST), Saturday
11:00am – 7:30pm (EST), Sunday
Tax Benefits of Vehicle Donation
Most vehicles are sold through local auctions and we work to get the highest return per vehicle for you and DAV. According to the IRS Guidelines, you may claim fair market value for your donation: “Fair market value is the price a willing buyer would pay and a willing seller would accept…” However, if your vehicle is sold for more than $500, the maximum amount of your deduction will be the sales price of the vehicle.
You will receive an initial donation receipt from the tow driver at the time of your vehicle pick-up. This initial acknowledgement will indicate your name as well as the year, make, model and condition of the vehicle you are donating. You will then be mailed a tax receipt within 30 days of the sale of the vehicle. This will be your only receipt if your vehicle sells for less than $500.
If your vehicle sells for more than $500 and your tax identification number has been provided, an IRS Form 1098-C, ‘Contributions of Motor Vehicles, Boats, and Airplanes’, will be mailed to you within 30 days of the sale stating the amount of gross proceeds received from your donation. Individual tax situations vary. For specific tax-related questions, please consult your tax advisor or refer to IRS Publication 4303.
You will receive a donation receipt from the driver during your pick-up. If your vehicle sells for more than $500, you’ll receive a 1098-C. If you never received your receipt or would like a replacement, please call us at 833-CAR-4DAV (833-227-4328) during regular hours of operation and we would be happy to help you.
The steps needed to complete a release a donor’s liability for their donated vehicle vary by state. Each Donor Service Representative is equipped with a 50-state guide for the steps necessary in each state and will advise the donor of these steps during the donation process.
Charitable Adult Rides & Services, Inc (CARS) is licensed and bonded as required to meet all legal qualifications to operate in all states, The District of Columbia, and in Canada as required. CARS follows governmental compliance with all IRS and state regulations concerning vehicle donation programs, fundraising registrations, and charitable receipting requirements.
The CARS program protects donors and fully indemnifies organizations. The logos, names, and indices of the DAV Vehicle Donation Program, (CARS) and other companies used on the site are protected by the copyright and trademark laws of the United States.
To ensure compliance with all registration requirements, CARS works with a nationally recognized law firm that represents nonprofit organizations, professional fundraisers, and commercial telemarketers — in the areas of nonprofit registration, regulation, charitable solicitation, commercial telemarketing, and fundraising. CARS headquarter office is located at 4669 Murphy Canyon Road Suite #200, San Diego, California 92123.