donate a car Lynwood CA
Donate a Car in Lynwood, CA
In Lynwood, a car you no longer drive still costs you insurance and registration every month. That old car that keeps failing its California smog check has value as a donation - donating it funds commissary grants instead of sitting dead in the driveway.
No forms on this site — donations are completed with the vehicle donation processor.
How it works
Three steps, start to finish
- 1
Start online or by phone
Begin with the donation link or call 855-500-RIDE. You give the year, make, model, and condition — nothing more. There is no donation form on this site.
- 2
Free tow pickup
A licensed tow operator schedules pickup in Lynwood, CA. You sign the title, the driver collects the keys, and the tow costs you nothing — running or not.
- 3
Proceeds fund commissary grants
The vehicle is sold at auction. Net proceeds fund commissary grants through Soul Tribes International Ministries, and the sale is processed by CARS (Charitable Adult Rides & Services).
Where the money goes
Commissary grants for people inside
Soul Tribes International Ministries directs the net proceeds into commissary grants. Inside, a few dollars is the difference between having toothpaste and stamps and having neither.
Commissary money covers soap, toothpaste, deodorant, writing paper, and stamps — the basic necessities prison wages rarely cover.
See where your car goes →The need
Incarceration in California
2nd
largest state prison population in the nation
Source: The Sentencing Project
Largest
death row in the United States - more than 600 people
Source: Death Penalty Information Center
173,000+
California's prison population peaked above 173,000 in 2006 - by late 2025 it had fallen to its lowest point in more than 30 years
Source: Public Policy Institute of California
California paperwork
Title transfer in California
Sign the California title over to the donation recipient, then file a Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability (Form REG 138) with the DMV within five days of the transfer - online or by mail. Once recorded, liability for parking and traffic violations and civil litigation after the date of transfer becomes the recipient's responsibility, and the DMV stops mailing you renewal notices. The recipient completes the actual title transfer using the endorsed title.
- Notarization
- No - notarization is not required for a California title transfer.
- Liens and paperwork
- The donated vehicle must be lien-free at pickup. If a lienholder is listed on the title, the lender must sign a lien release on the title itself or provide a separate release letter before the donation can proceed. Consult your tax advisor about any tax questions; donations over $500 receive IRS Form 1098-C from the processor.
Consult your tax advisor. Vehicles over $500 receive IRS Form 1098-C from the processor.
Donor thank-you
A free hotel stay
Donors are eligible for a free hotel stay as a thank-you. The room rate is covered; you pay taxes and fees.
- Room rate only — the donor pays all taxes and fees.
- Activate the stay within 7 days of receiving it.
- Travel must be completed within 18 months.
- Recipient must be 21 or older.
- One free hotel stay per household per 12 months.
Questions
Donating a car in Lynwood: common questions
How do I donate a car in Lynwood, CA?
Start online through our donation link or call 855-500-RIDE. You give the year, make, model, and condition of the vehicle. A licensed tow operator in the Lynwood area then contacts you to schedule free pickup, usually within one to three business days. There is no donation form on this site — the process runs through CARS (Charitable Adult Rides & Services).
Is towing really free in Lynwood?
Yes. Free tow pickup anywhere in California - Los Angeles, the San Francisco Bay Area, San Diego, Sacramento, and every town between. Running or not, the tow costs you nothing, and you never pay a pickup fee out of pocket.
Does my car need to run to be donated in Lynwood?
No. Non-running, wrecked, and long-parked vehicles are accepted. A vehicle that will not start is towed from your Lynwood driveway, street parking, or storage lot.
What paperwork do I need in CA?
Sign the California title over to the donation recipient, then file a Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability (Form REG 138) with the DMV within five days of the transfer - online or by mail. Once recorded, liability for parking and traffic violations and civil litigation after the date of transfer becomes the recipient's responsibility, and the DMV stops mailing you renewal notices. The recipient completes the actual title transfer using the endorsed title.
Does the California title have to be notarized?
No - notarization is not required for a California title transfer.
What if my Lynwood vehicle still has a loan on it?
The donated vehicle must be lien-free at pickup. If a lienholder is listed on the title, the lender must sign a lien release on the title itself or provide a separate release letter before the donation can proceed. Consult your tax advisor about any tax questions; donations over $500 receive IRS Form 1098-C from the processor.
Where does the money from my Lynwood donation go?
The vehicle is sold at auction by the processor. Net proceeds fund commissary grants through Soul Tribes International Ministries — soap, stamps, and other basic necessities for incarcerated people. Impact figures are reported once verified.
Prefer to talk it through? Call 855-500-RIDE.
Nearby cities in California
Donating from just outside Lynwood? These nearby California pages cover the same free pickup.
Donate your car in Lynwood today
Free tow pickup across Lynwood and the rest of California. Running or not.