When you donate a vehicle to Bluegrass Auto Gift in Louisville, the tow truck really does come to you. We serve donors all across Louisville Metro—from the Highlands, St. Matthews, Jeffersontown, and Shively to PRP, Okolona, Fern Creek, and beyond. Whether you’re in a downtown Louisville apartment, a driveway in Middletown, or on acreage out toward Shelbyville or Shepherdsville, we arrange a local towing partner to pick up your car, truck, SUV, or van at no cost to you.
The short answer: pickup is genuinely free—$0 to you, every time. The tow (flatbed or hook-and-chain) is paid for from the charity’s sale proceeds and never billed back. You simply call or submit our secure form, choose a pickup window, and leave the signed Kentucky title and keys with the vehicle. A local driver meets that window, loads the vehicle (running or not), and handles the rest. In most of Louisville Metro, pickups happen within a few business days; more rural addresses outside the Watterson or Gene Snyder may take a bit longer, depending on routing.
How to schedule your free local pickup
1. Tell us about your vehicle and where it sits
Call Bluegrass Auto Gift or use our online form with your contact info, Louisville-area address, and basic vehicle details. Let us know if it runs, where it’s parked (driveway, street, lot, or garage), and any access issues like narrow alleys or low garages so we can match you with the right local tow truck.
2. Choose a pickup window that fits your schedule
Our team works with local Louisville Metro towing partners to offer a pickup window that fits your day. You don’t have to be home if you can safely leave the keys and signed title with the vehicle. We’ll confirm a date and a general time frame, then your assigned tow operator will follow that plan as they route trucks across the metro.
3. Prepare the Kentucky title, keys, and vehicle location
Before pickup, sign your Kentucky title where indicated for a sale/transfer and remove your personal items and license plates. Decide where to leave the keys and title—glove box, under a floor mat, or with a building manager—and tell us. Make sure the vehicle is reasonably accessible for a flatbed or tow truck to back in or hook up.
4. Day-of: Tow truck arrives and handles the heavy lifting
On your scheduled day, a local Louisville-area tow operator arrives within the agreed window. They’ll load your vehicle—running or not—using a flatbed or hook-and-chain, collect the title and keys if you’re not there, and complete the pickup. There’s no charge at the curb, no fuel fee, and no surprise bill later; the tow is fully covered by the charity’s sale proceeds.
5. Donation processing and tax receipt by mail
After your vehicle is sold, proceeds support Heritage for the Blind. Bluegrass Auto Gift then mails you a tax receipt. Most donors receive documentation for at least a $500 deduction; if the sale amount is higher, you’ll also receive IRS Form 1098-C. Keep these with your records and consult your tax professional about how to claim your deduction.
Local pickup gotchas
Tight Louisville streets, alleys, and downtown garages
Tip: Some streets in Old Louisville, Clifton, Germantown, and downtown have tight turns, low garages, or limited access for a flatbed. Let us know if your car is in a parking garage or alley so we can send the right truck and avoid a last-minute reschedule.
Gate codes, HOA rules, and permit-only parking
Tip: In places like NuLu, the Highlands, St. Matthews apartments, or condo complexes, the driver may need a gate code, parking pass, or HOA approval. Share any codes or special instructions ahead of time and confirm your HOA or building is okay with a tow truck entering during the pickup window.
Very rural locations outside core Louisville Metro
Tip: If you’re out toward Shelbyville, Taylorsville, Shepherdsville, La Grange, or further into rural Jefferson, Oldham, or Bullitt County, routing trucks may take longer. We still pick up for free, but allow a few extra business days so our towing partners can group rural pickups efficiently.
Blocked or immobilized vehicles on pickup day
Tip: A tow truck can’t load your car if it’s blocked in by other vehicles, surrounded by construction materials, or completely buried in mud or ice. Clear a safe path and, if the car doesn’t roll or steer, tell us up front so we can plan the right equipment and avoid cancellations.
If at-home pickup is tricky
If at-home pickup is tricky for your situation—maybe your landlord won’t allow a tow truck in the lot, your downtown garage has clearance limits, or the vehicle is stored at a friend’s property—you still have options. You can often meet the driver at a nearby spot that’s easier for loading, such as a surface lot, wide side street, or workplace in Louisville Metro. In some cases, a friend or family member can hand off keys and title on your behalf. Talk with our team about your exact location and we’ll help find a practical local solution that still keeps pickup 100% free to you.
Louisville pickup coverage
Bluegrass Auto Gift serves the entire Louisville Metro area, including the Highlands, Old Louisville, Shively, PRP, Valley Station, Okolona, Fern Creek, Jeffersontown, Middletown, and St. Matthews, as well as outlying areas like Shepherdsville, La Grange, and Shelbyville. In-town pickups inside I-264 or I-265 typically happen within a few business days; rural Kentucky addresses can take a bit longer due to routing. For Kentucky titles, you’ll sign in the appropriate seller section and remove your plates before pickup, then return or handle them as the KY DMV requires. We’re happy to walk you through what to sign, though we can’t provide legal or tax advice.