If you’re in Fort Lauderdale with a car that has no keys and no title, you can still donate it through Cruise for Cause. The keys are not a deal-breaker. The title is the critical piece we must have before pickup. Once you get a Florida duplicate title in your name, we can arrange free towing anywhere in South Florida—from Victoria Park, Coral Ridge, and Tarpon River to Sunrise, Davie, Hollywood, and Pompano Beach. You’ll still qualify for a charitable tax deduction, and your unwanted car will support Heritage for the Blind.
Here’s how it really works in Florida: a towing partner brings a flatbed truck that can safely load a vehicle without keys, as long as it’s accessible—parked in a driveway, parking lot, or reachable spot. But state rules require you to sign a valid title over to us, so you’ll first apply with the Florida DMV for a duplicate or replacement title (usually a small fee and about 1–4 weeks). As soon as your duplicate title arrives, you sign it, schedule your pickup, and we handle the rest. No repairs, no smog checks, and no towing costs—just a clean handoff from your South Florida property to a cause that matters.
How to get your free pickup scheduled
1. Confirm your car’s location and tow access in South Florida
First, make sure your no-key car can be reached by a tow truck. It doesn’t need to start, but it must be accessible—like a driveway in Coral Ridge, a condo garage near Las Olas, or a parking spot in Hollywood or Pompano. Note if it’s blocked in, on flat tires, or behind a gate so we can plan the right kind of tow truck.
2. Apply for a Florida duplicate title in your name
Next, request a duplicate or replacement title from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. You can do this at a Broward County tax collector or tag agency office, or by mail. There’s usually a modest fee and a 1–4 week wait. The title must be in your name before we can legally accept your donation in Fort Lauderdale.
3. Gather simple info and contact Cruise for Cause
Once your duplicate Florida title is on the way—or in your hands—reach out to Cruise for Cause. We’ll ask basic details: where the car is in Fort Lauderdale or South Florida, whether it has wheels that roll, and that it has no keys. This helps us match you with a towing partner prepared for a keyless, possibly non-running vehicle.
4. Receive your duplicate title, sign it over, and schedule pickup
When your duplicate title arrives, sign it where indicated to transfer ownership to the charity. Then we lock in a pickup day and time that works for you—morning or afternoon, whether you’re in Wilton Manors, Plantation, Dania Beach, or downtown Fort Lauderdale. Be sure to remind us there are no keys so a flatbed or appropriate tow truck is dispatched.
5. Free tow pickup of your keyless car—no cost, no repairs
On pickup day, the tow operator inspects access, loads your keyless vehicle with a flatbed or other equipment, and completes the paperwork. You pay nothing for towing, even if the car doesn’t move under its own power. Once it’s on the truck and your title is collected, your donation is complete and the vehicle leaves your South Florida property for good.
6. Receive your tax receipt and support Heritage for the Blind
After your vehicle is processed, Cruise for Cause sends you a tax acknowledgment. Most donors can generally deduct at least $500; if the sale value is higher, you’ll use IRS Form 1098-C with your return. Your troublesome car—sitting unused in Fort Lauderdale—now helps fund services for people who are blind or visually impaired through Heritage for the Blind.
Potential complications to watch for
You must resolve the missing title before we can pick up
Tip: Even though keys are optional, Florida law requires a valid title. Starting the duplicate title request with the DMV or Broward County tax collector early prevents long delays. Without that duplicate in your name, we legally can’t tow or transfer the car, even if it’s abandoned on your Fort Lauderdale property.
Blocked-in or gated vehicles can delay towing
Tip: A flatbed can load a car without keys, but only if the driver can actually reach it. If the vehicle is in a tight spot, behind another car, or inside a gated community near Las Olas or Harbor Beach, plan ahead for gate codes, parking approvals, or moving other vehicles on pickup day to avoid rescheduling.
Name on the title must match the donor or be documented
Tip: If the Florida title is—or will be—in someone else’s name, we’ll need that owner’s signature or proper documentation (such as probate or power of attorney). Clearing this up when you apply for the duplicate title prevents headaches later and makes your Fort Lauderdale donation go through smoothly.
Out-of-state titles follow different duplicate rules
Tip: If the last title was from another state, you must request the duplicate from that state’s DMV, not Florida’s. This can add mailing time, so it’s wise to start now. Once you have that duplicate title, signed correctly, we can still arrange free pickup anywhere in South Florida for your no-key vehicle.