When you donate your car in Fort Lauderdale through Cruise for Cause, the pickup really is free. We send a local tow truck or flatbed right to you—whether you’re in Victoria Park, Rio Vista, Coral Ridge, Harbor Beach, or out by Lauderdale Lakes and Plantation. You won’t pay a pickup fee now or later; the towing cost is covered from the charity’s sale proceeds and is never billed back to you.
Here’s how it works in South Florida: you call us or submit the online form, we confirm your Fort Lauderdale address, and you choose a convenient pickup window. Our towing partner comes to your home, condo garage, workplace, or storage lot—running or not, damaged or old. You can usually just leave the signed Florida title and keys in an agreed spot with the vehicle. In most Fort Lauderdale neighborhoods, a truck arrives within a few business days, with slightly longer routing times for more rural addresses west of I‑75. The driver loads your vehicle, you get a donation receipt, and Heritage for the Blind uses the proceeds to support people who are blind or visually impaired.
How to schedule your free local pickup
1. Tell us about your vehicle and location
Start by calling Cruise for Cause or filling out our simple online form. Share your Fort Lauderdale address (house, condo, or business), vehicle details, and whether it runs. Let us know if you’re in areas like Downtown, Flagler Village, Poinsettia Heights, or nearby suburbs such as Davie or Sunrise so we can route the closest towing partner.
2. Choose a pickup window that works for you
We’ll contact you to confirm your information and offer available pickup windows. You don’t have to wait all day; we give you a time range based on your neighborhood and traffic patterns in South Florida. Dense areas near Las Olas and the beach might have more time slots, while western or rural addresses may have slightly fewer options.
3. Prepare your Florida title and vehicle access
Before pickup, locate your Florida title and remove personal items from the vehicle. We’ll guide you on where to sign the title. If you can’t be home, you can usually leave the signed title and keys in a secure, agreed spot—like with concierge in a high-rise off Las Olas, or hidden in the vehicle—so the driver can complete the tow without you present.
4. Make space for the flatbed or tow truck
On pickup day, please make sure the vehicle is accessible. In tighter Fort Lauderdale streets, condo garages, or HOA communities, that may mean moving other cars, reserving a guest spot, or arranging gate access. Our local partner will use a flatbed or hook-and-chain truck, so room to maneuver is important for a safe, quick load-up.
5. Hand off the vehicle and receive your receipt
When the tow truck arrives—usually within a few business days—the driver will verify the VIN, collect the signed title and keys, and load your vehicle. You’ll receive an initial donation receipt at pickup. After the vehicle is sold, Cruise for Cause mails you a tax acknowledgment, typically showing at least a $500 deduction value, along with any needed IRS Form 1098‑C information.
6. Finish with your Florida plates and insurance
Once your car is picked up, remove your Florida license plate if you haven’t already, and return or transfer it per Florida DMV rules. Then cancel your insurance. We’ll remind you of these steps, but always follow current FLHSMV guidance for plate surrender or transfer so your registration and insurance records stay clean.
Local pickup gotchas
Tight condo garages and low clearance near the beach
Tip: Many Fort Lauderdale condos near A1A, Las Olas, and Galt Ocean Mile have tight ramps or low ceilings that flatbeds can’t enter. If possible, park the vehicle in an outdoor or ground-level guest spot on pickup day so the truck can reach it safely and avoid rescheduling.
Gate codes and security at HOAs and communities
Tip: Gated communities in areas like Weston, Plantation, and Lauderdale-by-the-Sea often require a gate code, visitor list, or guard clearance. Share any access details with us beforehand so the driver can enter without delays. If your HOA requires notice for tow trucks, schedule a day that’s pre-approved to prevent last-minute issues.
Street parking rules and permit zones
Tip: Some neighborhoods near Downtown, Victoria Park, and Flagler Village have strict permit parking, sweeping days, or time limits. Check local signs and, if needed, move the car to a legal space the truck can reach during your pickup window. This helps avoid tickets and last-second relocations that can slow the donation.
Rural or semi-rural addresses west of I‑75
Tip: If you’re outside the dense Fort Lauderdale core—farther west toward the Everglades, agricultural areas, or less-developed roads—pickup is still free, but routing may take longer. Share any unpaved road, narrow driveway, or flooding concerns so we can send the right truck and set realistic timing expectations from the start.
If at-home pickup is tricky
If at-home pickup is complicated—for example, you’re in a tight downtown garage, your HOA doesn’t allow tow trucks on certain days, or your vehicle is stored in a challenging spot—you still have options. You can often arrange to move the car to a more accessible location, like a friend’s driveway in Edgewood or a surface lot in Oakland Park, and we’ll meet you there at no cost. In some cases our tow partner may suggest a nearby safe meeting point along a wider street or commercial area so loading is easier and faster.
Fort Lauderdale pickup coverage
Cruise for Cause serves the entire Fort Lauderdale and greater South Florida area, including neighborhoods like Coral Ridge, Tarpon River, Sailboat Bend, Imperial Point, and nearby cities such as Hollywood, Pompano Beach, Davie, and Sunrise. Pickup in central Fort Lauderdale is usually scheduled within a few business days; more remote or rural Florida locations may take a bit longer but remain completely free. For Florida titles, you’ll sign the title to the charity per state rules and should remove your license plate and either transfer it to another vehicle or return it to FLHSMV, then cancel your insurance.