NABC Recycled Rides® Resources
for Charity Partner

NABC® works with a number of charities across the country to identify recipients for NABC Recycled Rides®. Selecting a charity should be done as soon as possible. It takes time to find a suitable recipient and complete the necessary paperwork for processing the title. Charities will work closely with the NABC Recycled Rides program manager  and must be committed to meeting all of the criteria involving recipient selection. This is very important.

While the intent of this program is to provide transportation to individuals and families in need, some shops have decided to donate the vehicle to local social service agencies to allow them to better provide their much needed services to their clients. While somewhat different from the stated mission, this type of donation is no less important than giving the vehicle directly to a family.  Each shop will choose its own charity and make its own decision as to how best to serve its community. It is required that the organization must be a  501c(3) charity. Contact the NABC® Program Manager if you need assistance.

NABC Recycled Rides® Frequently Asked Questions For Non-Profits

  • What are the candidate criteria and responsibilities? Complete information is contained in a separate document. Briefly, the candidate needs to have a valid driver’s license and can afford ownership of a vehicle. There is an income target of 200 percent of IRS poverty guidelines. The chart will be provided. Responsibilities for the non-profit are included as well.
  • Is the vehicle always gifted to an individual? While usually gifted to an individual, with or without a family, vehicles have been donated to non-profits to assist them in accomplishing their mission.
  • Do I need to wait to be contacted or can I request a vehicle? You may contact the Program Manager and request a vehicle for a specific family. There is no way, however, to predict when that request will be fulfilled. We don’t know when a vehicle is going to be donated in a specific area.
  • How are the vehicles obtained? The vehicles are primarily donated by insurance companies and car rental companies. These vehicles are primarily “economic” totals: fully repairable but the cost of repairs exceed the insurer’s total loss threshold. We have specific criteria for accepting these vehicles which can be up to eight years old but have less than 100,00 miles. It is important to remember that these are pre-owned vehicles and the vehicles are donated “as is”. It is the hope that they will last up to 5 years, but no guarantees are made as to what may happen before then. The repairs that were made by the shop would fall under their warranty but anything unrelated would not.
  • What kind of vehicles are available? Most of the vehicles in our program are five-passenger, either sedans or small SUVs. it is very difficult to find larger ones. The year, make and model will be provided so an appropriately sized family can be identified.
  • How is the title handled? The title transfers from the vehicle donor to 800 Charity Cars directly to the recipient. 800 Charity Cars is a 501(c)(3) organization that assists our program with initial titling paperwork and final vetting of recipients.
  • What paperwork is involved? In order to complete the initial titling paperwork, the candidate needs to complete packet of information from Charity Cars. This includes a request for a copy of a valid driver’s license, income verification and signatures on various forms.  While this packet can be mailed directly to the recipient, it is preferable for the non-profit to receive it to be able to assist the candidate in its completion and timely return. The vehicle inspection / titling / registration process cannot proceed without 800 Charity Cars having received this packet in return. It is advisable for tracking to be placed on it when mailing back. (the packet needs to be mailed as some forms have copies and original signatures are needed). Note: this would be in addition to an initial application.
  • When does the recipient need Insurance? The recipient cannot take possession of the vehicle without having it insured.  The non-profit will be provided with the VIN (vehicle identification number) and mileage of the vehicle so the candidate can price out insurance. (Insurance should not be purchased until told to do so). The candidate is ultimately responsible for all ownership costs: any fees associated with titling, registration, sales tax, insurance, etc. 
  • How long will take for the candidate to receive the vehicle? It is difficult to predict how long the process will take. The length of time from initial contact to the gifting is dependent on many factors:
    • The vehicle repair process: the stage of repair when you were contacted, amount of damage, the procurement of donated parts, the production schedule of the shop (since this is a voluntary effort, paying customers do have priority).
    • Vehicle title: If there has been a delay in the title transfer to 800 Charity Cars
    • Recipient packet: time it takes for it to be mailed back and received by Charity Cars. Also, if signatures or information is missing from the packet, that needs to be sent.
    • State inspection / titling process: Most, although not all, vehicles in our program have a salvage title since they have a “total loss” designation and will need a salvage inspection. This process varies from state to state. In some, being issued a date for an inspection appointment can take weeks, then the titling more time after that. The entire process can be very quick or can take months. The goal is to have the recipient drive away with the vehicle after the gifting. 
  • Where will the presentation take place? This usually occurs at the collision repair facility although there are occasions when a different venue is chosen. There are also occasions when more than one vehicle may be gifted. You will have an opportunity to speak during the presentation about your organization and to introduce your nominee. Media is often invited to attend as well as local community leaders. The recipient may bring guests as well.
  • How is the presentation date chosen? This is usually coordinated by the shop to find a date that is mutually convenient to the shop, vehicle donor, non-profit and recipient.

In the end, the important thing is that the recipient has been provided with the gift of reliable transportation. There is no better ending to a NABC Recycled Rides® event or better beginning for an improved life for the recipient.

For additional information, please contact Dale Ross, NABC Recycled Rides® Program Manager at dross@nationalautobodycouncil.org

Responsibilities of the Charity, Recipient & Recipient Criteria 

Responsibilities of the Charity: 

  • Identifies recipient and ensures they meet criteria (see below). Eligibility will be confirmed by the NABC Recycled Rides® program manager.
  • Ensures recipient paperwork is completed in timely manner. 
  • Arranges for the recipient to be at the Presentation Day event (provides transportation, notifies employer, etc.). 
  • Is responsible for communications to media outlets (if desired by your facility). Most charities have good local media connections. Ensure recipient understands and agrees to this requirement. 
  • Assists in co-managing and participating in the presentation event. 
  • Notifies repair facility and Program Manager immediately if there is any change in availability of a recipient. 
  • Correctly identifies program in any printed or verbal communications. The program is NABC Recycled Rides®, a program of the National Auto Body Council®, or the NABC Recycled Rides® program. 

Recipient Criteria 

At a minimum the recipient should: 

  • Have a valid driver’s license at the time of submitting paperwork 
  • Have proof of income/employment 
  • Have a safe driving record 
  • Be financially challenged (The income target is 200% of the Federal poverty guidelines) 
  • Be able to insure, register and maintain the vehicle & pay for all initial costs (see below) 
  • Not currently own a good working vehicle 
  • Clean driving record (no DUIs, moving violations in past three years) 
  • If a veteran, honorably discharged
  • Must agree to and pass a background check 

Recipient’s Legal Obligations and Liabilities 

The recipient or the charitable organization will be responsible for the following: 

  • All Fees: title, registration, emission, (ad valorem where applicable) etc. (unless otherwise arranged) 
  • Paying the sales tax as calculated by your state/province (check with your local Department of Motor Vehicles for tax exemptions as some states/provinces have provisions for vehicles given/received as a gift). Some states have required minimum amounts to be paid.  
  • Insurance coverage  

Please remember that the recipient is legally required to obtain and continue insurance coverage. 

Questions? Contact NABC Recycled Rides® Program Manager Dale Ross at dross@nationalautobodycouncil.org

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GEICO has been involved with the NABC Recycled Rides® program for over a decade, and a lot of great relationships have been built over the years. During that time, we have seen that our involvement in the program extends beyond helping individual families in need. The vehicles that we donate to the program are not only changing the lives of those who receive the vehicles, but are also impacting communities. Those who have been nominated by various non-profits to receive vehicles are often already paying it forward by volunteering in the their communities, and now they can do even more with their vehicles. It humbles me to be a part of this great program, and I’m ecstatic that GEICO is on pace to donate 200 cars this year.

"The partnership of matching families that have a refurbished future with these amazing vehicles that have been refurbished by local body shops is one of the best programs we have ever engaged in at Family Promise of Las Vegas. More than 80 Las Vegas families have benefited from this partnership since 2009 - There are no words to describe how life changing the NABC Recycled Rides® program is to our families."