If your car has been sitting in the driveway in Grand Rapids with expired plates, you can still donate it. In most Michigan cases, an expired or lapsed registration does NOT stop your donation. What really matters is that you have a valid Michigan title in your name—current tags are not required. River City Rides will help you donate your vehicle to benefit Heritage for the Blind, even if it hasn’t been driven in months.
Here’s how it works in the Grand Rapids Metro: you sign the title over, we schedule a free tow anywhere from Eastown and Alger Heights to Wyoming, Kentwood, Walker, or Rockford, and the tow company takes the car as-is. You don’t have to renew the registration, pay back fees, or get the vehicle roadworthy. Once the tow truck picks it up, responsibility shifts away from you. You’ll notify the Michigan Secretary of State of the transfer to protect yourself from future tickets or fees, and Heritage for the Blind will send you a tax receipt you can use when you file your federal return.
How to get your free pickup scheduled
1. Confirm you have the title in your name
Find your Michigan vehicle title and make sure your name matches your driver’s license. Expired tags are fine—what matters is a clear title. If you’re in the Grand Rapids Metro (from Heritage Hill to Kentwood), River City Rides can walk you through where to sign and how to handle any lien releases before pickup.
2. Call or submit your Grand Rapids donation online
Share basic details: year, make, model, condition, and that the registration is expired. Let us know where the car is parked—driveway, street, or a shop in places like Wyoming, Walker, or Comstock Park. We’ll confirm that expired tags are not a problem and connect your donation to Heritage for the Blind.
3. Schedule free towing anywhere in the Grand Rapids Metro
You pick a convenient day and time. Our towing partner comes to you across the area—from Downtown and Midtown to Byron Center and Ada—so the car never has to be driven. Towing is always free. Just be ready with the keys (if available) and your signed title when the driver arrives.
4. Complete the title transfer at pickup
At pickup, you’ll hand the tow driver the signed title. They’ll verify the VIN and your ID, then load the vehicle. Even if the registration is years out of date, the tow company takes the car as-is. From that point on, the vehicle is no longer in your possession or use.
5. Notify the Michigan Secretary of State of the sale/transfer
After pickup, file a vehicle transfer/sale notice with the Michigan Secretary of State (online or in person at a Grand Rapids area branch). This step helps protect you from future tickets, fees, or liability tied to the car. Keep a copy of the notice or confirmation for your records.
6. Receive your donation tax receipt from Heritage for the Blind
Heritage for the Blind will mail you a tax receipt after the vehicle is processed. Most donors can claim at least $500; higher amounts may require IRS Form 1098-C. Save the receipt with your tax papers and share it with your tax professional when you file your federal return.
Potential complications to watch for
You don’t have the title, only old registration or insurance
Tip: Registration cards and insurance papers are not enough to donate. If you’ve misplaced the title, you’ll need to request a replacement from the Michigan Secretary of State before we can complete the transfer. River City Rides can explain which form to request and how to ensure the new title prints in your name.
There’s still a lien listed on the Michigan title
Tip: If a bank or finance company is shown as lienholder, we may need a lien release before donation. Often this is a simple letter or stamp from the lender. Check your records or contact the lender now. Clearing the lien ahead of time helps avoid delays on pickup and your tax receipt.
The name on the title doesn’t match your current ID
Tip: A different last name, missing middle initial, or joint ownership can slow things down. Have supporting documents ready, like a marriage certificate, or ensure all listed owners can sign. River City Rides can outline what’s typically acceptable in Michigan so your donation goes through smoothly.
The vehicle is hard to access for the tow truck
Tip: If your car is in a tight alley, underground garage, or stuck off a driveway, mention it when you schedule. Tow operators around Grand Rapids can usually work with tricky spots, but advance notice lets us send the right truck and avoid rescheduling or extra time on pickup day.