California · Free pickup

Donate a Car in California.
Free Statewide Pickup.
with NRL guidance.

A program of Fainting Goat Foundation · 501(c)(3) · Gainesville, GA

California requires a Notice of Release of Liability (NRL) within 5 days of donation — we walk you through the online filing. Free pickup statewide, IRS Form 1098-C delivered after sale.

Schedule My Pickup →
Or call/text 770-871-9422

Start Your California Donation

Takes 60 seconds. A real person calls within one business day to schedule the free pickup.

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Quick answer

Yes — we pick up donated vehicles free anywhere in California, handle the title paperwork with the California DMV, and send you an IRS Form 1098-C tax receipt after the vehicle sells. Call or text 770-871-9422 to schedule.

How California car donation works (3 steps)

  1. Submit the form or call us

    Tell us about the vehicle: year, make, model, condition, and your California ZIP. Our intake team confirms by phone within one business day.

  2. We send a flatbed at no cost

    Pickup typically 24–48 hours in California metros, 3–5 business days in rural areas. The driver brings paperwork and a paper receipt.

  3. You receive IRS Form 1098-C

    Within 30 days of the vehicle's sale, we mail or email your official tax receipt. Most vehicles sell within 60 days of pickup.

California title transfer process

California titles (Certificate of Title) require the seller to sign Section 1 and complete the odometer disclosure on the back. You also file a Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability (NRL) within 5 days — this can be done online at dmv.ca.gov and we'll remind you. Lost titles: apply via REG 227 for $24.

Source: California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)

California tax deduction notes

California state income tax is graduated from 1% to 13.3% in 2026 — the highest in the country. California conforms to federal charitable deduction rules with some modifications; for high-bracket donors a vehicle donation can produce substantial combined federal + state tax savings.

For full federal rules see IRS Publication 4303 — A Donor's Guide to Vehicle Donations.

Cities and metros we serve in California

Free pickup across the entire state. High-volume metros where pickups are typically scheduled within 24–48 hours:

Los AngelesSan DiegoSan JoseSan FranciscoFresnoSacramentoLong BeachOaklandBakersfieldAnaheimStocktonRiversideIrvineChula VistaFremont

Important California-specific step: file Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability (NRL) within 5 days online at dmv.ca.gov — we remind you at pickup. CA pickups in LA, Bay Area, and San Diego metros are typically 24-48 hours; Central Valley and rural Northern CA may take 3-5 business days.

What we accept in California

  • Cars — sedans, hatchbacks, coupes, SUVs, crossovers, hybrids, EVs. Running or not.
  • Trucks, SUVs, vans — light-duty through 1-ton, including work trucks and fleet vehicles.
  • Motorcycles — cruisers, sport bikes, dirt bikes, scooters, mopeds. More on motorcycle donation.
  • Boats — with or without trailer. More on boat donation.
  • RVs and motorhomes — Class A/B/C, travel trailers, fifth wheels, pop-ups.
  • Damaged, non-running, junk vehicles — all welcome. More on non-running donations.

Common California questions

Is car donation legal in California?
Yes. Charitable vehicle donation is legal in every US state. We're registered with the IRS as a 501(c)(3) under Fainting Goat Foundation and operate in compliance with California title-transfer law.
Do I need a California license plate at pickup?
No. You should remove the license plates before pickup and return them to the California DMV according to California rules. Our driver will remind you at pickup.
How fast can you pick up in California?
Metro California pickups are typically 24–48 hours from form submission. Rural areas may take 3–5 business days as our towing partner runs a route. We give you a realistic window during the intake call.
What if I don't have the title?
In most cases we can still pick up. We'll guide you through the California duplicate-title process or appropriate alternative documentation. See our title-less donation guide for details.

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