A college town with a unified government
Athens is home to the University of Georgia, and the city and Clarke County combined into a unified government in 1990 (New Georgia Encyclopedia: Athens). For donors, that means one tag office: the Athens-Clarke County Tax Commissioner's Motor Vehicle Division.
Student cars at semester end
UGA Housing's move-out guidance has residents check out of the residence halls shortly after their last final exam (UGA Housing: breaks and move-out). For a lot of students, that's when an old car becomes a problem: it won't make the drive home, there's nowhere to park it for summer, or it's time to sell and selling is a hassle. Donating is a simple answer if you plan ahead:
- Check whose name is on the title. Many student cars are titled to a parent. The person on the title signs, and they don't have to be in Athens; we can coordinate with them by phone and email.
- Out-of-state title? Tell us the state. Each state has its own rules, for example notarization in North Carolina.
- Start before finals week. Pickup is scheduled after acceptance, and the last days of the semester are busy for everyone.
- Apartment parking: tell us about permits, gates, or towing rules at your complex.
Athens-Clarke County tag office and Georgia title steps
Athens-Clarke has one combined tag office for the whole county. Georgia titles and registrations are handled by each county's tax commissioner, which runs the local tag office. For Athens-Clarke County, that is the Athens-Clarke County Tax Commissioner, Motor Vehicle Division. Check that office's site for current hours and locations; Georgia DOR keeps a statewide list of county tag offices. In most donations you won't need to visit at all: you sign the title and we handle the transfer paperwork.
Older vehicles. Athens-Clarke County's own change-of-ownership page says a 1985-or-older vehicle doesn't need a certificate of title for transfer, and ownership can pass with a bill of sale (Athens-Clarke County: change of ownership).
Signing the title. Georgia DOR says the owner completes the assignment on the back of the original title, in blue or black ink, and that alterations or erasures can void it. Every owner listed on the front signs. Never hand over a title signed in blank; Georgia law treats that as a misdemeanor. We mark exactly which lines are yours before pickup. (Georgia DOR: transferring a Georgia title)
Your license plate. In Georgia the plate stays with you, not the vehicle, so take it off before the tow truck arrives. You can move it to another vehicle you get at your county tag office. Cancel the registration online through DRIVES e-Services or with Form MV-18J before you drop insurance; DOR fines coverage lapses on a vehicle that is still registered. (Georgia DOR: cancelling a registration)
Questions we hear from Athens donors
I am a UGA student leaving for the summer. Can I donate my car before I go?
Yes. Submit the vehicle early, before finals week if you can. Pickup is scheduled after acceptance, and we can coordinate around your move-out date.
The car is titled to my parents in another state. Can I still donate it in Athens?
Yes. The owner on the title signs, and they do not need to be in Athens. Tell us the title state so we can explain its rules; some states, like North Carolina, require notarization.
Can you pick up from an apartment complex near campus?
Usually. Tell us about parking permits, gates, and towing rules at the complex so the driver can plan access.
Which tag office handles Athens?
The Athens-Clarke County Tax Commissioner, Motor Vehicle Division. For most donations you will not need to visit; you sign the title and we handle the paperwork.
What happens to my Georgia license plate?
You keep it. Georgia plates stay with the owner. Take it off before pickup and cancel the registration before cancelling insurance.
Distances and drive times are approximate route estimates from Dawsonville, not pickup windows. Title rules summarized here are general information from the official sources linked on this page, not legal or tax advice; your instructions are confirmed for your specific vehicle. Content reviewed 2026-10-02.
Cars Helping Kids is not affiliated with Cars Helping Kids, Inc. of Denver, Colorado.