There are 15.1 million cars in California, and a good percentage of those probably won’t generate enough money to pay for the floormats, fuzzy dice and TruCoat treatment on a your next car. But for a car that’s not worth a lot of money to you, it’s worth a TON of money to your favorite public radio station in California.
While the best part of donating a car in California is the support you provide to the people who deliver news, music and insightful talk to your radio every single day, the second best part is how easy it is to donate:
- Have your vehicle title ready.
- Follow this link to the Car Talk Vehicle Donation Program or call us at 1-877-215-0227.
- Answer the questions about your car and yourself.
- Select a date and time to have your car picked up.
It’s really that easy.
Paperwork
Of course, there’s a bit of paperwork you need to fill out. On the day your vehicle is picked up, you’ll need a few things to complete the process:
Vehicle Title: In order to complete your California car donation, transfer your title by entering the name of our authorized agent, ADVANCED REMARKETING SERVICES in the buyer/purchaser field. Please PRINT and SIGN your name in the seller/owner field EXACTLY as it appears at the top of the title.
Vehicle/Vessel Transfer and Reassignment Form: NOTE - This is only required if your vehicle doesn’t have a title. This is going to require a trip to the California RMV because the form is only available there. It’s printed on security paper. It’s called the Vehicle/Vessel Transfer and Reassignment Form (REG 262).
Day of Pickup
The day of your scheduled vehicle pickup, you’ll need to provide the driver with the completed title, along with the keys. After the vehicle sells, you'll receive a vehicle donation receipt for tax purposes.
California Car Donation Resources
The Car Talk Vehicle donation program will provide funds to the California Public Radio station of your choice.
KCLU
KZYX
- Arcata
- KHSU-FM (90.5)
- Bakersfield
- KPRX-FM (89.1)
- Burney
- KNCA-FM (89.7)
- Chico
- KCHO-FM (91.7)
- Crescent City
- KHSR-FM (91.9)
- Fresno
- KVPR-FM (89.3)
- Groveland
- KXSR-FM (91.7)
- Indio
- KCRI-FM (89.3)
- Long Beach
- KKJZ-FM (88.1)
- Los Angeles
- KUSC-FM (91.5)
- Mt. Shasta
- KNSQ-FM (88.1)
- North Highlands
- KQEI-FM (89.3)
- Northridge
- KCSN-FM (88.5)
- Oxnard
- KCRU-FM (89.1)
- Pacific Grove
- KAZU-FM (90.3)
- Palm Springs
- KPSC-FM (88.5)
- Pasadena
- KPCC-FM (89.3)
- Philo
- KZYX-FM (90.7)
- Redding
- KFPR-FM (88.9)
- Sacramento
- KXJZ-FM (88.9)
- KXPR-FM (90.9)
- San Ardo
- KBDH-FM (91.7)
- San Bernadino
- KVCR-FM (91.9)
- San Diego
- KPBS-FM
- KSDS-FM (91.7)
- San Francisco
- KALW-FM (91.7)
- KQED-FM (88.5)
- San Luis Obispo
- KCBX-FM (90.1)
- San Mateo
- KCSM-FM (91.1)
- Santa Barbara
- KFAC-FM (88.7)
- Santa Cruz
- KUSP-FM (88.9)
- Santa Monica
- KCRW-FM (89.9)
- Santa Rosa
- KRCB-FM (91.1)
- Stockton
- KUOP-FM (91.3)
- Tahoe City
- KKTO-FM (90.5)
- Thousand Oaks
- KCLU-FM (88.3)
- KCPB-FM (91.1)
- Willits
- KZYZ-FM (91.5)
- Yreka
- KNYR-FM (91.3)
California Car Donation FAQs
- Do you accept any vehicle, anywhere?
Yes, we accept cars, trucks, boats, planes, motorcycles, RVs, and heavy farm equipment, running or not. Just nothing by Fisher Price. No smog certificate is necessary. We pick up vehicles anywhere in the country, with very few exceptions.
- How much money from my car donation goes to my local public radio station?
We're very proud that our program returns the largest percentage of gross proceeds to stations. We are all public radio employees, and fans. We are doing this because we love your station as much as you do. There are costs and fees that have to be deducted during the car donation process. We have to pay for car pickup or towing, title transfer, auction or dismantling fees, and other costs associated with the program. However, when it's all said and done, we return a minimum of 70% of the gross proceeds to the station, a number that makes your station very happy.
- My vehicle won’t pass a smog check in California. Is it still ok to donate?
Yes! If you have a vehicle that won’t pass a smog check in California, a vehicle donation is a great way to move that car along and support your favorite public radio station.