Okay, you have convinced me I should donate my car to charity. Once I have and it has been sold, what about the legal ramifications regarding the vehicle? Suppose for some reason the new owner is lazy about legally registering the vehicle and gets a bunch of tickets. Am I responsible?
As long as you follow the necessary steps to de-register your auto donation, no. At the time you donate a car and sign the title over to Goodwill Industries, you will be given a donation receipt. Make a copy of the receipt and take it, along with the license plate(s) and registration, to the Department of Motor Vehicles in your community and complete the de-registration process on the vehicle. Only after the de-registration process is complete should you contact your insurance company to cancel the coverage on the vehicle donation. When you do, be prepared to offer them a copy of the donation receipt for their files.
Though Goodwill Industries does all in its power to make sure things flow smoothly when you donate your car, sometimes something may fall through the cracks and you receive a letter in the mail stating the car you donated has an unpaid parking ticket and you are being ordered to pay it. If this should occur, contact Goodwill Industries. You will be provided with a letter to present to the DMV. The letter will include information to verify the fact you donated the vehicle to the charity, as well as a copy of the Bill of Sale indicating the name and address of the new owner. The document serves as legal proof to substantiate the fact you are no longer the vehicle’s legal owner, so there is no need for you to be involved in the situation or obligation on your part to pay the ticket.
