Apply for a free car with Free Car Foundation
Formerly incarcerated people are welcome to apply to our program. Our application is free, takes about 5 minutes and never asks for your Social Security number or bank details.
Other programs that accept formerly incarcerated people
1-800-Charity Cars (Free Charity Cars)
Working poor families, domestic violence survivors, veterans and military families, people with medical needs, disaster victims and transitional shelter residents.
Working Cars for Working Families
Anyone looking for a nonprofit car-ownership program near them.
Ways to Work Car Loans
Working parents with low income or poor credit who need a car for work.
Salvation Army Vehicle Assistance
Mainly domestic violence survivors, families in serious financial crisis and people experiencing homelessness.
Tips to improve your chances
- Ask your reentry program or parole officer about transportation assistance
- Check whether your state offers driver's license reinstatement or fine-reduction programs
- Workforce (WIOA) programs can help with transportation during job training
- Be honest in applications — many programs welcome people rebuilding their lives
What to do while you wait
Free cars are rare and waitlists are long. Most families combine an application with a backup plan: repair help for a car they already have, grants and low-interest car loans, or government transportation help. Read what a donated car really costs before you are selected.
More help that fits your situation
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