How (and Where) to Get a Car for Free

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Find resources and options if you can’t afford a vehicle

Co-authored by Bailey Bujnosek, BA

Last Updated: July 14, 2025 Fact Checked

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6 Ways to Get a Free Car

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Warnings

While most people need a car to go to work or school, the steep cost of new and even used vehicles is a barrier for some. If you’re experiencing financial hardship, have special circumstances like living with a disability or surviving a natural disaster, or meet other eligibility requirements, you may be able to get a free car. Keep reading to learn what resources are available to you to potentially get a car at low or no cost.

Is it possible to get a free car?

Yes, you can get a free car if you meet eligibility requirements, apply, and are approved to receive one from a charity. You may also be able to buy a cheap car from a friend, relative, or local community member. Another option is to create a fundraiser on a crowdfunding site to get assistance buying a car.

Section 1 of 2:

6 Ways to Get a Free Car

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1
Apply for a free car from a charity. If you have demonstrated financial need or other special circumstances such as a disability, apply for a car from a charitable organization or program. Check this database to find programs in your state and review eligibility requirements before applying. Note that these programs receive many applications—even if you’re eligible, you may not be selected to receive a free car.^{[1]
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- Cars4Heroes is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that provides free transportation to veterans, active-duty military members, first responders, their spouse and children under 18, and civilians in need.
- 1-800-Charity Cars, also known as Charity Cars, Inc. and Free Charity Cars, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit offering vehicles to applicants with a range of circumstances, from victims of natural disasters and domestic violence to veterans and families in transitional living shelters.
- Other car donation charities include Online Car Donation (part of the Giving Center 501(c)(3) non-profit), Good News Garage (for Massachusetts and Vermont residents), and Vehicles For Change (for Maryland residents).
Let relatives or close friends know about your situation. They may have an old, unused vehicle that they’re willing to give you or sell to you for a low price. Or, they may be able to lend you a car so you can work and save up to buy your own used vehicle.

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Certain jobs provide company cars to employees if the job is transportation-heavy, such as field technician, sales, social work, and delivery driver positions. Restrictions may apply on whether or not you can take the car out of your city or state, whether or not you can have passengers in the car, and if you or the company pays for gas, maintenance, tolls, and insurance.^{[2]
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If you need a car for work or school, consider creating a fundraiser on a site like GoFundMe. In the description of your fundraiser, explain what obstacles you’ve faced that prevent you from buying a car. Share your GoFundMe on social media to reach a wider audience.^{[3]
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Look for cheap vehicles in your community. Keep an eye out on local platforms like Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace for cheap car listings. If you’re a member of a church, reach out to the person who runs charity and giving. See if they can connect you with someone who has a used car they’re looking to get rid of for cheap.
- Beware of scams. Always see a car in person, have it inspected, review the vehicle history report, and test-drive it before you buy it. Meet sellers in public places and tell people where you’re going. Establish a paper trail so the purchase is documented.^{[4]
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Enter free-car giveaway contests or sweepstakes. Several legitimate organizations and businesses run sweepstakes or contests with cars as prizes. For example, Consumer Reports runs an annual car sweepstakes with a grand prize of a family vehicle that was run through their testing program.^{[5]
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Consumer Reports
Nonprofit organization dedicated to consumer advocacy and product testing

Go to source} Casinos and car dealerships may also run car giveaway contests to gain publicity. Beware of scams—you should never have to pay to enter a sweepstakes or contest.^{[6]
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Federal Trade Commission
Website with up-to-date information for consumers from the Federal Trade Commisson

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- Many people enter these contests, but there’s usually only one winner. Keep in mind that the chance of winning a sweepstakes or contest is typically very low.

Section 2 of 2:

Frequently Asked Questions

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Can you get a free car from the government? No, you can’t apply for a free car from the U.S. government. However, there are other federal and state assistance programs available to help low-income and/or disabled individuals afford housing, food, and health insurance. If you qualify for such aid, it could help you be able to save money to buy a car. Check your country, state, or city’s website for information on public assistance programs.^{[7]
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- In 2024, California launched the Driving Clean Assistance Program to help low-income Californians purchase zero-emission vehicles. Eligible applicants can turn in an old vehicle for scrap and receive up to $12,000 in grant money to purchase or lease a new or used zero-emission vehicle.^{[8]
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No, you cannot get a free car from The Salvation Army or Goodwill, but you may be able to buy one cheaply from them. Goodwill and The Salvation Army auction donated cars in several U.S. states. Check your state’s Goodwill Industries or Salvation Army website for details on donated vehicle auctions.^{[9]
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No, you cannot get a free car from Uber or Lyft. However, Uber lets you sign up to drive for them without a car and explore options for long-term rentals or purchases on their vehicle marketplace. Lyft has a similar program called Lyft Express, which offers flexible pricing plans for drivers without cars to rent vehicles from Flexdrive and Hertz.^{[10]
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Can you get a free car safety seat? Yes, you can get a free child car safety seat if you’re low-income or experiencing financial hardship. Look at this database to find programs in your state, such as Texas’s CSS Distribution and Education Program or D.C.’s Project Safe-Child.^{[11]
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- Fully review eligibility requirements before applying for a free car safety seat. If you’re an expecting mother, you may need to be in your third trimester to be eligible.

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Warnings

Beware of scams. Never pay to apply for a free car. Use a site like the Better Business Bureau’s Give.org or Charity Navigator to view ratings of charities and decide if they’re legitimate.

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If you’re meeting someone to potentially buy or pick up a car, meet them in a crowded public place during the day. Tell people where you’re going and bring someone along with you if you can.

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Don’t lie about your financial circumstances or forge financial documents on an application or in the description of a fundraiser to receive a free car. This is fraud and is illegal.

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