If you’re in Maine with a car that has no keys and no title, you can still donate it through Maine Motors Giveback. The title is the critical piece; the keys are not. Once you’ve received a duplicate Maine title from the BMV, we can arrange free towing for a keyless vehicle anywhere in the state—from Portland’s Deering Center to Bangor, Lewiston, Augusta, or way up in Aroostook County. You’ll still receive a tax receipt for your donation, and proceeds support Heritage for the Blind, a 501(c)(3) helping people who are blind or visually impaired.
Here’s how it really works in Maine. A tow company can safely load your car without keys using a flatbed, as long as the truck can reach the vehicle. You just need to tell us at scheduling that you don’t have keys so the right equipment is sent. But for the missing title, Maine (and most states) requires you to get a duplicate or replacement title from the Bureau of Motor Vehicles before we can complete the donation. That usually means a short form, a small state fee, and a 1–4 week wait. Once the duplicate title is in your hands, you sign it, we schedule pickup, and you’re done.
How to get your free pickup scheduled
Confirm your car is titled in Maine and still accessible
First, confirm the car is (or was) titled in Maine and that a tow truck can physically get to it—driveway, lot, backyard, or farm road. In-town in South Portland or out in rural Franklin County, we just need room for a flatbed. It does not need to run, start, or roll, but access matters. Jot down your VIN from the dashboard or old insurance papers if you can.
Apply for a duplicate Maine title with the BMV
Next, request a duplicate title from the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles. You’ll complete the BMV duplicate title form, pay the state’s replacement fee, and wait while they process it—typically a few weeks. You can start at a local BMV office in places like Scarborough, Bangor, or Augusta, or by mail. This is the one step we can’t do for you, but we’ll walk you through what information you’ll need.
While you wait, contact us and describe your no‑key vehicle
Once your duplicate title request is in, reach out to Maine Motors Giveback. Tell us clearly that you do not have keys and whether the car is stuck in park, in a garage, or off a paved surface. This lets us note your file and prepare the right kind of tow—typically a flatbed—so pickup in locations like Westbrook, Brunswick, or Orono goes smoothly when your title arrives.
Receive your duplicate title and sign it over for donation
When the BMV mails you the new title, check that your name and VIN are correct. Then sign the title as the seller/donor exactly as your name appears and have it ready for the tow driver. We’ll verify any additional paperwork needed for Maine, so when the truck arrives in places like Biddeford, Sanford, or Rockland, the handoff is quick and simple.
Schedule free keyless tow pickup anywhere in Maine
With your signed duplicate title in hand, we’ll schedule free towing at a time that works for you. We’ll again note that the car has no keys so a flatbed or appropriate equipment is dispatched. Whether your vehicle is in downtown Portland, the Midcoast, or the Western Mountains, pickup costs you $0. The driver collects the title, loads the vehicle without keys, and your donation is complete.
Get your tax receipt and help Heritage for the Blind
After the vehicle is sold, Maine Motors Giveback sends you a tax receipt. Most donors can deduct at least $500; for donations over $500 you’ll generally use IRS Form 1098‑C attached to your return. Your no‑key, once‑title‑less car now supports Heritage for the Blind’s services for people who are blind or visually impaired, all with no out‑of‑pocket cost to you.
Potential complications to watch for
You can’t skip the duplicate title in most cases
Tip: In Maine, we almost always need a valid title before donation. If your vehicle is old enough that Maine no longer titles it, there may be exceptions, but for most cars you must get a duplicate first. Check your model year with the BMV; starting the title request early prevents long delays later.
Poor access can delay or prevent keyless towing
Tip: A flatbed can load a car without keys, but only if it can reach it. Vehicles blocked in by other cars, buried in snow, or sunk in soft ground in rural areas may need clearing first. Before scheduling, look at where the car sits and move obstacles if possible so the tow truck can back in and hook up safely.
Name and address mismatches on the new title
Tip: If your name changed since you first titled the car—marriage, divorce, different spelling—the BMV record and your ID must still clearly match. Small discrepancies can slow things down at pickup. When the duplicate title arrives, check the spelling and address; if anything is off, contact the BMV before we send a truck.
Out‑of‑state titles follow that state’s rules, not Maine’s
Tip: If your car is sitting in Maine but last titled in another state, the duplicate title must come from that state’s DMV, not Maine’s BMV. Their fees and timelines can differ. Call or visit that state’s DMV website, start the duplicate request, then contact us so we can plan pickup as soon as your new title arrives.