Communities we serve
| City | County | From Dawsonville (approx.) | Tag office |
|---|---|---|---|
| Martinez | Columbia (unincorporated) | ~157 mi / ~3 hr 25 min | Columbia County Motor Vehicle Division |
| Evans | Columbia (unincorporated) | ~159 mi / ~3 hr 30 min | Columbia County Motor Vehicle Division |
| Augusta | Augusta-Richmond (consolidated) | ~163 mi / ~3 hr 35 min | Richmond County Tax Commissioner |
Drive estimates are approximate road distances from Dawsonville, not pickup windows. Tag-office links go to each county's official tax commissioner site.
What makes this area different
Two very different counties. Augusta is a consolidated city-county government, Augusta-Richmond County (Augusta-Richmond County). Evans and Martinez, by contrast, are unincorporated communities in Columbia County; the Census Bureau lists both as census-designated places (Census 2020 place-by-county file). Your tag office is set by the county you live in, not your mailing city.
Fort Gordon. The Army post a few miles southwest of Augusta was renamed Fort Eisenhower in 2023 and dedicated as Fort Gordon again in September 2025, honoring Medal of Honor recipient Master Sgt. Gary I. Gordon (Fort Gordon history). Soldiers and families moving on orders often need to part with a vehicle on a deadline; start early and tell us who will hand over the keys and signed title if you'll be gone.
Students and medical staff. Augusta University (Augusta University) brings students and residents who rotate in and out of town, often with cars titled in other states. Richmond and Columbia counties border South Carolina (U.S. Census county adjacency file); for a South Carolina title, see our South Carolina page.
Pickups here are coordinated from our headquarters in Dawsonville and carried out by towing partners who work the region. We do not have an office, staff, or a drop-off lot in these cities, and we will not pretend to.
Georgia title steps
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)
Loans and liens. If a lender's lien is still on the title, it has to be released first. For liens recorded electronically, DOR says only the lender can release them; on a paper title the lienholder signs the release section or gives you a Form T-4. Paid off years ago and never got the paperwork? Send us what you have. (Georgia DOR: releasing a lien)
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 Augusta area donors
Evans and Martinez are not cities. Which tag office do I use?
Evans and Martinez are unincorporated communities in Columbia County, so the Columbia County Motor Vehicle Division. Augusta residents use the Richmond County Tax Commissioner.
I am leaving Fort Gordon on orders. Can I donate my car first?
Yes, if you start early. Pickup is scheduled after acceptance. If you will be gone before then, tell us who will hand over the keys and signed title.
My car is titled in South Carolina. Can I still donate it in Augusta?
Yes. We follow the rules of the state that issued the title. South Carolina titles are signed over by the seller with the odometer reading, date, and price; see our South Carolina page.
Is pickup free in the Augusta area?
Yes. Towing is free for accepted vehicles. We confirm a real pickup date once the tow is booked.
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.