If you’re in Vermont with a car that has no keys and no title, you can still donate it through Green Wheels. The keys are not the deal-breaker. The title is. Once you have a replacement Vermont title in your name, we can send a flatbed tow truck, load your vehicle without keys, and you’ll still receive a tax-deductible receipt for your donation supporting Heritage for the Blind.
Here’s how it works in practical Vermont terms. Whether your vehicle is tucked behind a house in Burlington’s Old North End, sitting at a shop in Rutland, or buried in the snow at a camp in the Northeast Kingdom, our tow partner can usually reach it with the right truck—as long as we know it has no keys ahead of time. But before pickup, Vermont law generally requires a valid title to transfer ownership. That means a quick trip—or mail application—to the Vermont DMV for a duplicate or replacement title. Once that new title is in your hands, you sign it over to Green Wheels, we schedule free pickup anywhere in Vermont, and you’re done.
How to get your free pickup scheduled
1. Confirm your car is in Vermont and accessible to a tow truck
Take a realistic look at where the car sits—driveway in South Burlington, field in Addison County, tight alley in Winooski, or a barn in Washington County. A flatbed doesn’t need keys, but it does need physical access. Note steep driveways, soft ground, or blocked paths so we can match the right equipment and plan the safest route for pickup.
2. Apply for a duplicate Vermont title with the DMV
Because there’s no title, your first move is the Vermont DMV. Request a duplicate title in your name; it usually costs a modest fee and can take about 1–4 weeks. You can download the form from the Vermont DMV website or visit locations like Montpelier, Rutland, or St. Albans. Without this duplicate title, we generally cannot complete a donation transfer.
3. While the title is processing, contact Green Wheels
Once you’ve submitted your duplicate title application, reach out to Green Wheels. Let us know you’re in Vermont and that the vehicle has no keys and no title yet. We’ll answer questions about the process, explain what documents you’ll need once the title arrives, and help you think through any access issues for the tow truck at your specific location.
4. Get your duplicate title and sign it over to Green Wheels
When your Vermont duplicate title arrives, check that your name and the VIN match your vehicle. Then sign the title where instructed to transfer ownership to Green Wheels. This step is what legally allows us to remove, sell, or recycle the vehicle and ensures you receive a proper tax acknowledgment for your donation to Heritage for the Blind.
5. Schedule free Vermont pickup for your keyless car
With the signed title in hand, we schedule a free tow anywhere in Vermont—whether that’s Brattleboro, Barre, Essex, or a back road in the Green Mountains. Tell us clearly that the vehicle has no keys so a flatbed can be dispatched. Our driver will handle loading the car without starting it, and you won’t pay a dime for towing or removal.
6. Complete the donation and receive your tax receipt
At or shortly after pickup, you’ll receive documentation for your donation. Every accepted vehicle generates a tax-deductible receipt; amounts over $500 typically use IRS Form 1098-C. Your car—keys or not—helps fund programs for people who are blind or visually impaired through Heritage for the Blind, and you’re no longer stuck with a problem vehicle on your Vermont property.
Potential complications to watch for
Out-of-state or very old vehicles may have different title rules
Tip: If your car was last titled in another state or is an older Vermont vehicle that may not have been titled originally, call the Vermont DMV before you start. Ask them exactly what they require for a replacement or proof of ownership. Knowing this up front can prevent multiple trips and delays in completing your donation.
Car not physically reachable by a tow truck
Tip: A flatbed can load a vehicle without keys, but it must be able to get close enough. If your car is down a muddy camp road near Lake Champlain or blocked by other items, consider clearing a path or waiting for dry conditions. When you schedule, describe the terrain honestly so we can decide if special equipment or timing is needed.
Name on the title won’t match the donor
Tip: If the lost title was in someone else’s name—perhaps a relative who has passed away—you may need extra paperwork such as probate or an affidavit before Vermont will issue a new title in your name. Call the DMV and explain the situation. Solving this early keeps your donation from getting stuck at the last minute.
Leins or loans still showing on the vehicle’s record
Tip: If a bank or credit union once had a lien on the car, Vermont may require proof that the loan is satisfied before issuing a clean duplicate title. Check old records or contact the lender. Clearing the lien ahead of time avoids surprises and keeps your Green Wheels donation moving smoothly to pickup and tax paperwork.