Do a 15-minute sweep before the tow truck leaves: take the garage-door remote, spare house keys, toll transponder, parking permits, disability placards, insurance card, registration, and loose glovebox papers. Check the cabin, trunk, consoles, visors, seat-back pockets, under the seats, and spare-tire well. Factory-reset the infotainment system so Bluetooth pairings, HomeLink, saved addresses, and phone data are gone. Leave the keys and the signed-over title with the car.
Your pre-pickup checklist
Remove security access items
Start with anything that opens a door or gives access to your home or workplace. Remove the garage-door remote, gate fob, building badge, spare house keys, mailbox keys, and any valet key that is not needed to move the vehicle. Check the visor, cup holder, center console, door pockets, and key ring. Put them in a house bowl now.
Pull billing account items
Take out the toll transponder, parking pass, garage card, fuel card, and any paid-access sticker you can safely remove. Then log in to the related account and remove the donated vehicle from billing. This matters even if the tag is sitting on your kitchen counter, because many toll accounts also bill by license or vehicle record.
Take glovebox documents
Open the glovebox and door pockets. Remove your insurance card, registration, inspection papers, service receipts, financing papers, old rental agreements, and anything with your address, policy number, loan number, or medical information. Do not leave a folder because it looks official. If it is not the signed-over title, take it with you.
Sweep cabin and trunk
Work front to back. Check under both front seats, between the seats, seat-back pockets, map pockets, cup holders, visor clips, sunglass holders, the center console, rear floor mats, cargo pockets, the trunk, and the spare-tire well. Look for cash, tools, sunglasses, prescriptions, children’s items, chargers, garage receipts, and anything you would not hand to a stranger.
Reset electronics and stored data
Use the vehicle settings menu to factory-reset the infotainment system when possible. Delete Bluetooth pairings, call history, contacts, saved navigation addresses, garage-door settings such as HomeLink, Wi-Fi connections, app logins, and stored home or work locations. If the screen asks whether to erase personal data or restore factory settings, choose the erase option before pickup.
Remove optional aftermarket items
Take removable aftermarket items you plan to keep, such as a dash cam, phone mount, upgraded stereo faceplate, cargo organizer, removable bike rack, or child seat. Do not strip parts, cut wiring, remove factory equipment, or change the vehicle from the condition you described. If an item is built in or affects drivability, leave the car intact.
Leave keys and signed title
After the sweep, set aside the items that stay with the vehicle: the keys needed to move it and the signed-over title. Keep them together in the handoff spot requested for the donation. Do not place personal papers in the same envelope. If there is a lien release or required title support document, keep it with the title.
Keep this sweep paperwork-focused
This page is only for removing belongings, access items, billing items, and saved data before free pickup. State paperwork rules can vary: one state may require a notice after transfer, while another may use title and vehicle records differently. If anything you read conflicts with your current state instructions, follow the Kentucky DMV.
For license plates, see our separate guide, License Plates After Donation.
For release of liability, see our separate guide, Release of Liability After Donation.
Common questions
What if I forgot something in the car?
Contact Bluegrass Auto Gift as soon as you notice. Give your name, the vehicle, the pickup address, and a clear description of the item. Do not wait if the item is a wallet, medication, access device, or document with personal information. Retrieval depends on where the vehicle is in the process.
Should I cancel insurance before the car is picked up?
Do not use this sweep checklist as insurance advice. Many donors wait until the vehicle has been transferred or picked up before changing coverage, but policies and state procedures can differ. Call your insurance company, explain that the vehicle is being donated, and ask when they want the policy changed or cancelled.
Can I keep my dash cam or upgraded stereo?
Yes, if the item is yours, removable, and taking it out does not damage the vehicle or change what you reported. Remove the dash cam, memory card, mount, or detachable stereo faceplate before pickup. Leave factory parts, required safety equipment, and anything needed to steer, brake, lock, or move the car.
Do I need to leave registration or insurance papers?
No. Take your insurance card, registration, service records, receipts, and any glovebox papers with account numbers or personal details. The items that should remain with the donation are the keys and the signed-over title, plus any title support document you were specifically told to provide.
More donation prep guides
A careful 15-minute sweep protects your privacy, your accounts, and your home access before the vehicle leaves. Bluegrass Auto Gift helps donors turn eligible vehicles into support for Heritage for the Blind (EIN 58-2164446). When your sweep is done, place the keys and signed-over title with the car and you are ready for the next step.