If your car is sitting in your driveway in Manchester, tucked behind a barn in the Lakes Region, or stuck in a condo lot in Nashua with no keys and no title, you can still donate it through WheelWise. Missing keys are not a dealbreaker. The critical piece in New Hampshire is the title — and that’s fixable with a simple duplicate-title request through the NH DMV before we schedule your free tow.
Here’s how it works: once you apply for and receive your New Hampshire duplicate title, you sign it over to WheelWise and we arrange a free pickup anywhere in the state — from Portsmouth and Dover to Concord, Keene, and Berlin. Our tow partners use flatbed trucks that can load most vehicles without keys, as long as they can safely access and reach the car. Your donation then helps fund Heritage for the Blind’s programs for people who are blind or visually impaired, and you receive a tax receipt for at least $500, with larger deductions handled using IRS Form 1098‑C.
How to get your free pickup scheduled
1. Confirm your car’s location and tow-truck access
Before anything else, make sure a tow truck can safely reach your car without keys. Check that it’s not blocked in a tight Hanover driveway, covered in snow in Conway, or locked behind a gate in a Manchester apartment lot. Note if it rolls, is stuck in park, or has flat tires. We’ll ask these questions so we can send a flatbed with the right equipment.
2. Apply for a New Hampshire duplicate title (the critical step)
In New Hampshire, a proper title is required before you can legally donate. Start by requesting a duplicate or replacement title through the NH DMV. There’s usually a modest fee and a processing time that can run about 1–4 weeks. You’ll complete the DMV form (often available online to print) and submit it by mail or in person. This is the step that unlocks the rest of the process.
3. Hold onto the car while the DMV processes your title
Keep the vehicle on your property or wherever it’s currently parked in Concord, Rochester, or elsewhere in New Hampshire while the DMV processes the duplicate title. Don’t junk it, sell it, or sign anything over to someone else. Once your duplicate title arrives in the mail, store it in a safe place — we’ll need you to sign it when you’re ready to schedule the donation.
4. Call WheelWise and tell us you have no keys
Once your duplicate title is in hand, contact WheelWise to start your donation. Let us know from the start that the vehicle has no keys and describe where it sits — driveway, street, yard, or garage. With this information, we’ll arrange the right flatbed tow truck and confirm that we can load your car keyless at no cost to you anywhere in New Hampshire.
5. Sign the title and schedule your free pickup
We’ll walk you through exactly where to sign your New Hampshire duplicate title, matching what the DMV requires. On pickup day, the tow driver will meet you (or an authorized stand‑in), confirm paperwork, and load the vehicle. There is no towing charge. Whether the car is in Portsmouth, Salem, or up in Littleton, the pickup is free and typically scheduled within a few days of your call.
6. We handle the sale and you receive your tax receipt
After pickup, WheelWise manages the sale or recycling of your vehicle. Proceeds go to Heritage for the Blind, supporting services for people who are blind or visually impaired. You’ll receive a tax receipt for at least $500; if the vehicle sells for more, we provide the documentation needed for deductions over $500, including IRS Form 1098‑C, in line with IRS rules.
Potential complications to watch for
The car isn’t titled in New Hampshire or is in someone else’s name
Tip: If the last title was issued by another state, or the vehicle is still in a relative’s name, the process may differ. You’ll usually need the titled owner, proof of inheritance, or additional documents. Call us before going to the DMV so we can explain what New Hampshire is likely to require for your specific situation.
The car is blocked, buried in snow, or in a tight space
Tip: We can tow a car without keys, but not if we can’t reach it safely. Clear snow, move trash bins, and ensure other vehicles aren’t blocking it. If it’s in a Lowell or Lawrence commuter lot just over the border, confirm you’re allowed to remove it. The better the access, the faster we can schedule and complete your free pickup.
There are existing liens or a bank still on the title record
Tip: If a bank or lender is listed as a lienholder on the title, New Hampshire may require a lien release before issuing a duplicate title. Check any old loan paperwork or contact the lender. Resolving liens early prevents DMV delays and lets you move directly from receiving the duplicate title to scheduling your donation.
You start towing before the duplicate title arrives
Tip: It’s tempting to get the car out of your driveway in Bedford or Dover right away, but don’t tow or sign anything over before your duplicate title is in hand. Without a proper title transfer, the donation can’t be completed correctly, and this can affect both your tax deduction and how the vehicle is processed.