Maine
License plates: Owner keeps plates. Both owners must sign: Yes. Release of Liability: Recommended — notify at maine.gov/sos. Remove your Maine plates after donation. Maine plates are registered to the owner, not the vehicle.
Vehicle donation rules vary by state. Title transfer requirements, Release of Liability forms, license plate rules, and DMV notification deadlines all differ depending on where your vehicle is registered. This is the complete state-by-state guide — covering all 50 states plus the federal IRS receipt requirement that applies uniformly everywhere.
When you donate a vehicle to charity, two sets of rules apply simultaneously. The federal IRS rules — which are identical in all 50 states — govern your tax deduction, receipt requirements, and IRS forms. The state DMV rules — which vary significantly — govern the title transfer, Release of Liability, license plates, and your legal protection after the vehicle leaves your possession.
Getting the state rules wrong does not affect your federal tax deduction — but it does affect your liability. Failing to submit a Release of Liability in a required state means you may receive parking tickets, toll violations, and registration notices for a vehicle you no longer own. In rare cases, you could even be named in an accident lawsuit involving the donated vehicle.
Regardless of your state, the IRS requires a written acknowledgment for any vehicle donation over $250. This document must be obtained before you file your federal tax return — in all 50 states without exception. It must include your name, the charity's name and address, the vehicle description, the VIN/HIN/N-Number, the donation date, and the no goods or services statement per IRC Section 170(f)(8).
The $2.99 federal requirement: Regardless of which state you are in, DonatedCarReceipt.com generates your IRS-compliant written acknowledgment in 2 minutes for $2.99. Cars, trucks, boats, motorcycles, RVs, aircraft — all vehicle types, all 50 states, instantly emailed to you permanently.
Use this table to quickly identify your state's key requirements. Scroll down for detailed state-by-state guides for the most-searched states.
| State | Release of Liability Required | Deadline | License Plates | Notarization |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Recommended | — | Stay with vehicle | No |
| Alaska | Required | 30 days | Stay with vehicle | No |
| Arizona | Recommended | — | Owner keeps plates | No |
| Arkansas | Recommended | — | Stay with vehicle | No |
| California | Required | 5 days | Owner keeps plates | No |
| Colorado | Required | 10 days | Owner keeps plates | No |
| Connecticut | Recommended | — | Owner keeps plates | No |
| Delaware | Recommended | — | Owner keeps plates | No |
| Florida | Required | 30 days | Owner keeps plates | No |
| Georgia | Recommended | — | Stay with vehicle | No |
| Hawaii | Recommended | — | Owner keeps plates | No |
| Idaho | Recommended | — | Owner keeps plates | No |
| Illinois | Required | 20 days | Owner keeps plates | No |
| Indiana | Recommended | — | Stay with vehicle | No |
| Iowa | Required | Immediately | Owner keeps plates | No |
| Kansas | Recommended | — | Owner keeps plates | No |
| Kentucky | Recommended | — | Owner keeps plates | No |
| Louisiana | Required | 40 days | Stay with vehicle | No |
| Maine | Recommended | — | Owner keeps plates | No |
| Maryland | Recommended | — | Owner keeps plates | No |
| Massachusetts | Recommended | — | Owner keeps plates | No |
| Michigan | Recommended | — | Owner keeps plates | No |
| Minnesota | Required | 10 days | Stay with vehicle | No |
| Mississippi | Required | 30 days | Stay with vehicle | No |
| Missouri | Required | 30 days | Owner keeps plates | No |
| Montana | Recommended | — | Owner keeps plates | No |
| Nebraska | Recommended | — | Owner keeps plates | No |
| Nevada | Recommended | — | Owner keeps plates | No |
| New Hampshire | Recommended | — | Owner keeps plates | No |
| New Jersey | Recommended | — | Owner keeps plates | No |
| New Mexico | Recommended | — | Stay with vehicle | No |
| New York | Recommended | — | Owner keeps plates | No |
| North Carolina | Recommended | — | Stay with vehicle | No |
| North Dakota | Recommended | — | Stay with vehicle | No |
| Ohio | Recommended | — | Owner keeps plates | No |
| Oklahoma | Recommended | — | Owner keeps plates | No |
| Oregon | Required | 10 days | Owner keeps plates | No |
| Pennsylvania | Recommended | — | Owner keeps plates | No |
| Rhode Island | Recommended | — | Owner keeps plates | No |
| South Carolina | Required | 30 days | Owner keeps plates | No |
| South Dakota | Recommended | — | Stay with vehicle | No |
| Tennessee | Recommended | — | Stay with vehicle | No |
| Texas | Required | 30 days | Stay with vehicle | No |
| Utah | Recommended | — | Owner keeps plates | No |
| Vermont | Recommended | — | Owner keeps plates | No |
| Virginia | Recommended | — | Owner keeps plates | No |
| Washington | Required | 5 days | Stay with vehicle | No |
| West Virginia | Recommended | — | Owner keeps plates | No |
| Wisconsin | Recommended | — | Stay with vehicle | No |
| Wyoming | Recommended | — | Stay with vehicle | No |
Important: DMV rules change. Always verify the current requirements directly with your state's DMV website before completing your donation. The table above reflects rules as of April 2026 based on research from state DMV sources, charity title guides, and DMV.org.
While DMV rules vary by state, the federal IRS written acknowledgment requirement is identical everywhere. DonatedCarReceipt.com generates your compliant receipt for any vehicle type in any state for $2.99.
$2.99 Cars · Trucks · Boats · Aircraft · Motorcycles · RVs · Classic Vehicles · All 50 States Get My IRS Receipt →Below are detailed guides for the 10 states most searched for vehicle donation information. Each covers title transfer, DMV notification, license plates, and the IRS receipt requirement.
California Step-by-Step:
California-specific note: For a charitable donation (not a private sale), a smog inspection is generally not required. However if you need to use Form REG 262 due to a missing title, additional DMV requirements may apply. Contact the California DMV at 800.777.0133 for your specific situation.
Texas Step-by-Step:
Florida Step-by-Step:
New York Step-by-Step:
New York-specific note: New York requires a driver's license to complete some vehicle transactions. Have your NY driver's license available when contacting the charity and DMV.
In Pennsylvania, sign the title and remove your license plates. Pennsylvania plates belong to the owner. Submit Form MV-4ST to the PA DMV to notify them of the transfer. Cancel insurance after plates are removed. Generate your IRS written acknowledgment before filing.
Illinois requires submitting a Vehicle Transfer Notification online within 20 days of the donation. Remove your Illinois plates — they belong to the owner, not the vehicle. Cancel insurance after notification. Obtain your IRS written acknowledgment before filing.
Ohio plates belong to the owner — remove them. Notify the Ohio BMV using Form BMV 3724 to establish you no longer own the vehicle. This protects you from future liability. Cancel insurance after notification. Generate your IRS receipt at DonatedCarReceipt.com.
Georgia plates stay with the vehicle — do not remove them. Notify the Georgia DDS of the transfer at drives.ga.gov. Cancel insurance after donation. In Georgia, vehicle ad valorem tax considerations may apply — consult your county tax commissioner for vehicle donation tax implications at the state level. Obtain your federal IRS receipt before filing.
North Carolina plates stay with the vehicle. Notify the NC DMV of the transfer to protect yourself from future liability. North Carolina has its own state income tax deduction for charitable contributions — consult a NC tax professional for how vehicle donations affect your state return. Obtain your federal IRS written acknowledgment before filing.
Michigan plates belong to the owner — remove them. Michigan may require a driver's license to complete the vehicle transfer in certain situations. Notify the Michigan Secretary of State of the transfer. Cancel insurance after plates are removed. Generate your IRS written acknowledgment before filing your federal return.
California, Texas, Florida, New York — no matter the state, the IRS written acknowledgment from DonatedCarReceipt.com satisfies your federal tax requirement. $2.99. 2 minutes. Permanently emailed.
Get My IRS Receipt — $2.99 →License plates: Owner keeps plates — remove and keep or surrender to DMV. Both owners must sign: Yes. Release of Liability: Recommended — submit online at njmvc.gov. New Jersey requires a driver's license for certain vehicle transactions.
License plates: Owner keeps plates. Both owners must sign: Yes. Release of Liability: Recommended — notify DMV at dmv.virginia.gov. Submit a Notification of Sale form to protect yourself from future liability.
License plates: Stay with vehicle. Release of Liability: Required — submit Report of Sale within 5 days at dol.wa.gov. Washington is one of the strictest states for this requirement. Failure to report results in ongoing registration liability.
License plates: Owner keeps plates — Arizona plates are owner-based. Transfer to another vehicle or surrender at MVD. Both owners must sign: Yes. Release of Liability: Recommended via servicearizona.com. Arizona has a state charitable deduction — consult an AZ tax professional.
License plates: Owner keeps plates — remove and return to RMV or transfer. Both owners must sign: Yes. Release of Liability: Submit via mass.gov/rmv. Massachusetts plates belong to the owner — leaving them on the vehicle after donation creates ongoing liability for tolls and excise tax.
License plates: Stay with vehicle. Both owners must sign: Yes. Release of Liability: Recommended — notify county clerk. Tennessee county clerks handle vehicle registration, not a centralized state DMV. Contact your county clerk's office to report the transfer.
License plates: Stay with vehicle. Both owners must sign: Yes. Release of Liability: Recommended — submit online at in.gov/bmv. Notify the Indiana BMV of the transfer to avoid ongoing registration liability.
License plates: Owner keeps plates — Missouri plates are owner-based. Release of Liability: Required — submit Notice of Sale or Transfer within 30 days at mydmv.mo.gov. This is a legal requirement in Missouri, not just recommended.
License plates: Owner keeps plates. Both owners must sign: Yes. Release of Liability: Recommended — submit at mva.maryland.gov. Maryland plates belong to the owner — remove them before donation and transfer or surrender them at the MVA.
License plates: Stay with vehicle. Both owners must sign: Yes. Release of Liability: Recommended — notify at dot.wi.gov. Notify the Wisconsin DMV of the transfer to establish you no longer own the vehicle.
License plates: Owner keeps plates. Release of Liability: Required within 10 days — submit online at myDMV Colorado. Colorado is strict about this requirement. Failure to report the transfer means ongoing registration and potential liability stays in your name.
License plates: Stay with vehicle. Release of Liability: Required within 10 days — submit Notice of Sale at dvs.dps.mn.gov. Minnesota requires both owners to sign the title (both names). Minnesota also requires a driver's license in certain vehicle transactions.
License plates: Owner keeps plates. Release of Liability: Required within 30 days — submit at scdmvonline.com. South Carolina has its own state income tax deduction for charitable contributions — check with a SC tax professional for the state deduction applicable to vehicle donations.
License plates: Stay with vehicle. Both owners must sign: Yes. Release of Liability: Recommended — contact your county license plate issuing office. Alabama vehicle registration is handled at the county level. Notify your county office of the transfer.
License plates: Stay with vehicle. Release of Liability: Required within 40 days — submit at expresslane.org or at a Louisiana OMV office. Louisiana also requires a notarized Act of Donation for vehicle gifts in some circumstances — check with the OMV for charitable donation requirements.
License plates: Owner keeps plates. Both owners must sign: Yes. Release of Liability: Recommended — notify county clerk. Kentucky vehicle registration is handled at the county level. Contact your county clerk's office to report the transfer and protect yourself from future liability.
License plates: Owner keeps plates. Release of Liability: Required within 10 days — submit Notice of Release of Liability at DMV2U Oregon (oregondmv.com). Oregon plates belong to the owner — remove them and keep or turn in to the DMV.
License plates: Owner keeps plates. Both owners must sign: Yes. Release of Liability: Recommended — notify at oktax.gov. Oklahoma plates are owner-based. Remove them and keep or surrender at the tag agent office.
License plates: Owner keeps plates. Both owners must sign: Yes. Release of Liability: Recommended — notify at ct.gov/dmv. Connecticut plates are owner-based. Remove and keep them — transfer to another vehicle or return to DMV. Cancel insurance after plates are returned.
License plates: Owner keeps plates. Both owners must sign: Yes. Release of Liability: Recommended — submit at dmv.utah.gov. Utah has a state charitable deduction — consult a UT tax professional for how vehicle donations affect your state income tax return.
License plates: Owner keeps plates. Release of Liability: Required immediately after transfer — submit Seller's Notification of Sale online or at your County Treasurer's office. Iowa is one of the strictest states — notification must happen at the time of transfer, not within a grace period.
License plates: Owner keeps plates. Both owners must sign: Yes. Release of Liability: Recommended — submit at dmvnv.com. Nevada plates are owner-based. Remove and keep or surrender at the DMV. Cancel insurance after surrendering plates.
License plates: Stay with vehicle. Both owners must sign: Yes. Release of Liability: Recommended — notify at dfa.arkansas.gov. Arkansas has a state income tax deduction for charitable contributions — consult an AR tax professional for state deduction eligibility on vehicle donations.
License plates: Stay with vehicle. Release of Liability: Required within 30 days — contact your local County Tax Collector's office. Mississippi vehicle registration is county-based. The county tax collector handles both vehicle registration and the notification process.
License plates: Owner keeps plates. Both owners must sign: Yes. Release of Liability: Recommended — notify at ksrevenue.gov. Kansas has a state income tax deduction for charitable contributions including vehicle donations — consult a KS tax professional for state deduction eligibility.
License plates: Stay with vehicle. Both owners must sign: Yes. Release of Liability: Recommended — notify at mvd.newmexico.gov. The New Mexico MVD handles vehicle registration and title transfers. Submit a notification of transfer to protect yourself from future liability.
License plates: Owner keeps plates. Both owners must sign: Yes. Release of Liability: Recommended — notify at dmv.nebraska.gov. Nebraska plates are county-issued and owner-based. Remove and surrender at your county treasurer's office or transfer to another vehicle.
License plates: Owner keeps plates. Both owners must sign: Yes. Release of Liability: Recommended — notify at wvdmv.wv.gov. West Virginia requires a driver's license for certain vehicle transactions. Contact the DMV for your specific situation.
License plates: Owner keeps plates. Both owners must sign: Yes. Release of Liability: Recommended — notify at itd.idaho.gov. Idaho requires a driver's license for certain vehicle transactions. Idaho has a state income tax deduction for charitable contributions — check eligibility with an ID tax professional.
License plates: Owner keeps plates. Both owners must sign: Yes. Release of Liability: Recommended — notify at hawaii.gov/dot. Hawaii vehicle registration is handled at the county level (Honolulu, Maui, Hawaii County, Kauai). Contact your county's vehicle registration division. Hawaii requires a driver's license for certain transactions.
License plates: Owner keeps plates. Both owners must sign: Yes. Release of Liability: Recommended — notify at nh.gov/safety. Remove your plates — New Hampshire plates are owner-based. New Hampshire has no state income tax on wages but does tax investment income; charitable deductions work differently here. Consult a NH tax professional.
License plates: Owner keeps plates. Both owners must sign: Yes. Release of Liability: Recommended — notify at maine.gov/sos. Remove your Maine plates after donation. Maine plates are registered to the owner, not the vehicle.
License plates: Owner keeps plates. Both owners must sign: Yes. Release of Liability: Recommended — notify at doj.mt.gov. Montana has no state sales tax, which simplifies some vehicle transaction aspects. Montana also has a state income tax deduction for charitable contributions — consult a MT tax professional. Montana requires a driver's license for certain transactions.
License plates: Owner keeps plates. Both owners must sign: Yes. Release of Liability: Recommended — notify at dmv.ri.gov. Rhode Island plates are owner-based. Remove and keep or surrender at the DMV. Rhode Island requires a driver's license for certain vehicle transactions.
License plates: Owner keeps plates. Both owners must sign: Yes. Release of Liability: Recommended — notify at dmv.de.gov. Delaware requires a driver's license to complete vehicle donation transactions. Contact the DMV in advance to confirm requirements for your specific situation.
License plates: Stay with vehicle. Both owners must sign: Yes. Release of Liability: Recommended — notify at sdmv.com. South Dakota has no state income tax, so federal deduction rules apply exclusively. South Dakota vehicle registration is handled at the county level.
License plates: Stay with vehicle. Both owners must sign: Yes. Release of Liability: Recommended — notify at dot.nd.gov. North Dakota vehicle titles are processed at the county level. Contact your county treasurer's office to report the transfer.
License plates: Stay with vehicle. Release of Liability: Required within 30 days — submit Vehicle Transfer Notification online via the Alaska DMV website. Alaska's vast geography means many vehicle donations are handled remotely — most charities that operate nationally can accommodate Alaska donations, though pickup logistics may take longer.
License plates: Owner keeps plates. Both owners must sign: Yes. Release of Liability: Recommended — notify at dmv.vermont.gov. Vermont plates are owner-based. Remove and keep or surrender at the DMV. Vermont has a state income tax — consult a VT tax professional regarding charitable deductions.
License plates: Stay with vehicle. Both owners must sign: Yes. Release of Liability: Recommended — contact your county clerk. Wyoming vehicle registration is handled at the county level. Wyoming has no state income tax. Contact your county clerk's office to report the vehicle transfer.
Lost your title? Here is the process that applies in virtually every state.
Do not wait until pickup day to discover your title is missing. Start the duplicate title process as soon as you decide to donate — it will not delay your donation scheduling, but it will ensure you are ready when the tow truck arrives.
In addition to the federal income tax deduction, some states offer a separate state income tax deduction for charitable contributions including vehicle donations. These vary significantly in structure and limit.
| State | State Charitable Deduction Available | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona | Yes | Dollar-for-dollar credit for some contributions to qualifying charities |
| Arkansas | Yes | State income tax deduction follows federal itemizing rules |
| California | Yes | State deduction available but California has its own AMT considerations |
| Colorado | Yes | State deduction for itemizers — follows federal Schedule A |
| Idaho | Yes | State deduction available for qualified charitable contributions |
| Kansas | Yes | Charitable deduction available on Kansas state return |
| Montana | Yes | State deduction for charitable contributions |
| North Carolina | Yes | State deduction available — North Carolina itemizers can claim |
| Oklahoma | Yes | Oklahoma follows federal itemizing rules for charitable deductions |
| Oregon | Yes | Charitable deduction available with Oregon's own calculation rules |
| South Carolina | Yes | State follows federal deduction rules for itemizers |
| Utah | Yes | Charitable deduction available — Utah flat tax with deduction option |
| Texas, Florida, Nevada, Wyoming, South Dakota, Alaska, New Hampshire, Tennessee, Washington | N/A — No State Income Tax | Federal deduction only applies |
Always consult a qualified state tax professional for your specific state deduction calculation. State rules change and individual circumstances vary significantly.
14 states require the donor to submit a Release of Liability: Alaska, California, Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Illinois, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, and Washington. The tow truck driver cannot submit this on your behalf. Failure to submit can result in fines, ongoing registration liability, and exposure to parking tickets and tolls after your donation.
Sign the title over to the charity. Submit a Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability (Form REG 138) within 5 days at dmv.ca.gov. Remove your license plates — California plates belong to the owner. Cancel insurance after DMV notification. Generate your IRS written acknowledgment at DonatedCarReceipt.com before filing your federal return.
Sign the title with both owner signatures. Submit a Notice of Transfer of Motor Vehicle at txdmv.gov within 30 days. Texas plates typically stay with the vehicle. Cancel insurance after DMV notification. Generate your IRS written acknowledgment before filing.
Sign the title. Submit Form HSMV 82050 to DHSMV within 30 days at flhsmv.gov. Remove your license plates — Florida plates belong to the owner. Cancel insurance after plates are removed. Generate your IRS written acknowledgment before filing.
Most states require a clear title. If you lost your title, apply for a duplicate at your state DMV — most issue duplicates within 1–3 weeks for $5–$25. Some charities can assist with duplicate title applications. Start this process early — do not wait until pickup day.
A Release of Liability is a form you submit to your state DMV notifying them that you have transferred the vehicle. Without it, the vehicle may remain registered in your name — exposing you to parking tickets, toll violations, registration fees, and potentially liability for accidents. 14 states legally require this form; all others strongly recommend it.
It depends on your state. In states where plates belong to the owner (Florida, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and most northeastern states), remove the plates and keep or surrender them. In states where plates belong to the vehicle (California, Texas, Georgia, and most southern/western states), the plates typically stay with the vehicle. Check your state's specific rules.
The title transfer rules of the state where the vehicle is registered apply — not where you currently live. If your car is registered in California but you live in Nevada, follow California's title transfer and Release of Liability rules.
Some states do. States with their own charitable contribution deduction include Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, and Utah among others. States with no income tax (Texas, Florida, Nevada, Wyoming, etc.) have no state deduction — federal only. Consult a state tax professional for your specific situation.
Yes. The federal IRS written acknowledgment requirement is identical in all 50 states. Any vehicle donation over $250 requires a contemporaneous written acknowledgment obtained before filing your federal return. DonatedCarReceipt.com satisfies this requirement for all vehicle types in all states for $2.99.
Once your title is signed and your state Release of Liability is submitted, the last step is your IRS written acknowledgment. DonatedCarReceipt.com generates it instantly for $2.99 — cars, trucks, boats, motorcycles, RVs, aircraft — in all 50 states. Permanently emailed. No account required.
$2.99 IRS Publication 4303 compliant · All vehicle types · All 50 states · Instant PDF · Permanently emailed Get My IRS Receipt →Las reglas para donar vehículos varían según el estado donde está registrado su vehículo. Dos conjuntos de reglas aplican al mismo tiempo:
Si vive en uno de estos 14 estados, usted debe presentar un formulario de "Release of Liability" (Liberación de Responsabilidad) después de la recogida del vehículo. El conductor del remolque NO puede hacerlo por usted:
Si no presenta este formulario a tiempo, puede seguir recibiendo multas de estacionamiento, cobros de peajes y avisos de registro a nombre suyo para un vehículo que ya no le pertenece.
Sin importar en qué estado viva, el requisito federal del IRS es el mismo: necesita un "written acknowledgment" (acuse de recibo por escrito) antes de presentar su declaración de impuestos para cualquier donación mayor a $250.
DonatedCarReceipt.com genera este documento en 2 minutos por solo $2.99. Funciona para autos, camionetas, motocicletas, RVs, lanchas y aeronaves en los 50 estados. Su recibo se envía automáticamente a su correo electrónico.