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Pennsylvania Transfer Notification Support Page

It Is Recommended for the Donor to Maintain a Photocopy of the Front and Back of the Certificate of Title After It Has Been Completed and Notarized and It Is Required for the Donor to Return the License Plates Unless Being Transferred to Another Vehicle to Maintain Proof of Release of Liability.






This means transfer of ownership occurs with the transfer of the title.

NOTORIZATION is required of the title for transfer.
*Please wait until the vehicle pick-up has been arranged before completing and/or notarizing the title.*

HOW TO HANDLE THE LICENSE PLATES WHEN YOU DONATE A CAR, TRUCK, SUV OR OTHER STANDARD VEHICLE IN PENNSYLVANIA


Please remove the license plates of your donated vehicle before the pick-up. Unless you plan to transfer the plates to another vehicle, the license plates should be returned (by mail or in person) to your local police station or to PennDOT at:

Bureau of Motor Vehicles
Return Tag Unit
P.O. Box 68597
Harrisburg, PA 17106-8597

Returning your plate to PennDOT will protect you. Once the plates have been received by PennDOT, they will be marked as a "dead tag" on the vehicle record.



Haven't donated yet? We can help you find a fantastic Pennsylvania nonprofit to donate to.

Frequently Asked Questions


Q: When do I cancel my insurance? A. Only cancel your vehicle's insurance AFTER your vehicle has been picked up and you have notified the state that you’ve donated your vehicle. If your state requires notification, please be aware that you should never cancel your insurance prior to reporting to the state you are no longer in possession of the vehicle. This is a general rule for States/Motor Vehicle Departments that require Notification be submitted or license plates returned.

Q: Who is considerd the purchaser of my vehicle donation? Is it the nonprofit or charity? A. The purchaser of your donated vehicle is NOT the nonprofit or charity. It will either be the vendor or Charitable Adult Rides & Services, the vehicle donation program provider and partner of your nonprofit of choice.

Q. What is State Notification? A. State notification releases the vehicle donor from liability over the vehicle, including registration fees and from having to keep the vehicle insured, after the vehicle is picked up. State notification is a way for the state to create a record that the owner is no longer in possession of the vehicle. The steps needed to release your liability of a donated vehicle vary by state.

Q. Who is supposed to take care of the state notification process? A. If state notification is required, only the donor and/or owner of the vehicle can complete this process. Please do not rely on the pick-up driver or vendor to report to the State/Motor Vehicle Department that you are no longer in possession of the vehicle. If you need support, please contact the vehicle donation support team at donorsupport@careasy.org or call 855-500-7433. We would be happy to assist you.

If you have additional questions, please visit our vehicle donation FAQS.

If you would like assistance with your vehicle donation, please contact us here.

For more information on vehicle transfers, please contact your local Motor Vehicle Division:


Bureau of Motor Vehicles
1101 South Front Street
Harrisburg, PA 17104

In State: 800.932.4600 | TDD: 800.2283.0676
Out of State: 717.412.5300 | TDD: 717.412.5380
PENNDOT WEBSITE