If your car has expired registration in the Memphis Metro, you can still donate it to Rides for Pride—no trip to the DMV, no paying back registration fees. What really matters for a car donation in Tennessee is that you have a valid title in your name, not whether the tags are current. We’ll arrange free towing anywhere in greater Memphis, take the non‑drivable or unregistered vehicle off your hands, and you’ll receive a donation receipt that can qualify for a federal tax deduction.
Here’s how it works locally: once you sign the Tennessee title over to Rides for Pride, the vehicle becomes our responsibility—even if it’s sitting in your driveway in Midtown, in a parking lot in Cordova, or behind an apartment in Whitehaven. Our licensed towing partner picks it up at no cost to you. You don’t have to renew or reinstate the registration first, and you don’t pay those past‑due tag fees to donate. After pickup, we provide the donation documentation you need; you simply notify the Tennessee Department of Revenue/DMV about the transfer so you’re no longer on the hook for future registration or tickets.
How to get your free pickup scheduled
1. Check that you have the Tennessee title in your name
Expired tags are fine—what we need is a valid Tennessee title showing you as the owner. Grab it from your files or glove box. If the car is sitting unused in East Memphis, Bartlett, Southaven, or anywhere in the Memphis Metro, the location doesn’t matter as long as that title is in your name and free of major issues like a missing owner signature.
2. Call or submit our online form with basic vehicle info
Tell us the year, make, model, approximate condition, and confirm that the registration is expired. Be honest if it won’t start, has flat tires, or has been parked for months in your driveway or complex lot. We’ll confirm that we can accept it as‑is and schedule your free pickup time anywhere around Memphis, from Germantown and Collierville to Frayser or Orange Mound.
3. Schedule free towing from your Memphis‑area location
You don’t need to drive the car, and it doesn’t need current tags for us to tow it. Our towing partner comes to you—home, work, storage lot, or mechanic’s shop—at no cost. They’ll work within a time window that fits your schedule. Even if your car is stuck in a back lot in Raleigh or near the airport, we’ll meet you there and handle loading it safely.
4. Sign the title over and hand the keys to the tow driver
When the tow truck arrives, you’ll sign the Tennessee title over to Rides for Pride. The driver will guide you on exactly where to sign. Once that’s done, the vehicle is no longer under your control or responsibility. You keep your plates if required, and the driver hauls the car away—expired registration, bad engine, or no inspection doesn’t matter at this point.
5. Notify the state, then keep your tax receipt for your return
After pickup, we process the vehicle and mail you a donation receipt. For donations over $500, you’ll use IRS Form 1098‑C with your federal return. You should also notify the Tennessee DMV/Department of Revenue of the transfer of ownership so you’re covered for any future tickets or renewal notices. After that, your old problem car becomes support for people who are blind or visually impaired.
Potential complications to watch for
The name on the title doesn’t match the current owner
Tip: If the title is still in a previous owner’s name, or your name changed after marriage or divorce, we may need an extra step. In some cases, you’ll need to update or correct the title with Tennessee before we can accept the donation. Call us first—we’ll walk you through what the local DMV usually requires so you don’t make unnecessary trips.
There’s still a lien listed on the Tennessee title
Tip: If a bank, credit union, or finance company is still shown as lienholder, we may need a lien release before completing the donation, even if the loan is paid off. Check the front of the title for any lien information. If you’re not sure, contact the lender or the Tennessee Department of Revenue. Bringing this paperwork to the tow pickup keeps your donation moving smoothly.
Missing or lost title for a long‑parked, unregistered car
Tip: Expired registration is okay; no title usually isn’t. Tennessee generally requires a title transfer to donate. If you’ve lost it, you may need to request a replacement title from the state before we can pick up the vehicle. We can explain which form to ask for and what information you’ll need so that your visit to the DMV or county clerk’s office is as quick as possible.
Tickets, fees, or fines tied to the license plate
Tip: Unpaid parking tickets or tolls linked to your plate are separate from donating the vehicle. We can still pick up a car with expired tags, but those existing obligations may remain yours. After donation, you should turn in or transfer your plates per Tennessee rules and notify the DMV of the change in ownership so you’re not billed for anything that happens after pickup.