How to Get a Free Car If You Really Can’t Afford One

Americans pay more than $12,000 annually on transportation, and for almost everyone that means a car. One reason car ownership is so high is simple: Most people need one to get to and from work and to perform basic chores like grocery shopping. In many areas of the country, you can’t work or shop unless you can drive yourself somewhere.

But cars are expensive. New car prices have jumped 30% in the last few years, and used car prices have jumped almost 40%. For a lot of people that’s the rock and the hard place: They need a car to live, but they can’t afford a car—any car. If that’s you, however, there is one possibility you might not know about: a free car. There are a few ways you might be able to score a free vehicle if you need one and can’t afford one on your own.

Of course, getting a free car isn’t going to be easy. Most of the organizations offering free cars have very strict eligibility requirements in terms of income, employment, and your legal ability to operate a moving vehicle. There’s usually a pretty high demand and a low inventory, because most of these cars are donations, so there’s often a wait list. And the cars you get vary wildly in terms of condition, and might require a lot of maintenance or offer a less-than-luxurious driving experience.

That being said, if you absolutely need a car, it might be worth spending the time to apply and register for one. Here’s where you can look.

Non-profit organizations that give away free cars

Your best option if you’re looking for a free car is a charity specifically devoted to getting vehicles to people in need. You can look in your area for local organizations that do this, but there are also some national programs to look into:

• Cars4Heroes. This program offers free cars to military veterans, first responders, and their families; you’ll need to provide proof of service in those categories. You can nominate yourself or someone else in the application.

• Free Charity Cars. Free Charity Cars donates to a broad range of people, including victims of abuse and folks who are struggling economically. Their application has a space for you to make your case, but you’ll only hear from them if a car becomes available.

• OnlineCarDonation.org. This is another organization that gives cars to a wide range of people in need. You’ll have to explain in detail why you need a vehicle and why you cannot afford your own.

• Cars for Moms. This organization specifically supports single-parent families (including single fathers, despite the name). You can nominate yourself or someone else, and they will work with other organizations in your area to locate a car on your behalf.

You can also check out Working Cars for Working Families, which lists local programs offering cars to those in need. The National Auto Body Council (NABC) runs a program called Recycled Rides, which offers refurbished cars donated by its members (including insurance companies, mechanics, and auto body shops) to people in need, but they don’t accept applications directly, only referrals from charitable organizations. You can reach out to local charities in your area to see if they partner with Recycled Rides and would be willing to nominate you.

You can also search for a free car the old-fashioned way: by asking. Local churches, your own family, and folks in your neighborhood sometimes have old clunkers they don’t need or want any more, so it’s always worth checking around to see if anything’s available. But if you’ve done that and had no success, one of these programs might be the solution you need.