Do a 15-minute sweep before the tow truck leaves. Remove the garage-door remote, spare house keys, toll transponder, parking permits, disability placards, insurance card, registration copies, glovebox papers, and all personal items. Then factory-reset the infotainment system so Bluetooth pairings, HomeLink buttons, and any saved home address are cleared. Leave the keys and the signed-over title with the car for pickup.
Your pre-pickup checklist
Secure remotes and house keys
Start with anything that can open a door or gate. Pull the garage-door remote from the visor, console, or key ring. Remove spare house keys, mailbox keys, gate fobs, building access cards, and storage-unit keys. Check any emergency key tucked in a magnetic box or cargo tray. Keep only the vehicle keys ready for the driver.
Remove billing devices
Next, take out the toll transponder, payment tag, fuel card, or parking pass that could keep charging after pickup. Do not stop at the windshield. Log in to the toll account and remove this vehicle from the account, or call the toll agency if the account does not let you delete it online.
Pull glovebox documents
Remove your insurance card, old registration papers, inspection or service receipts, financing papers, and anything showing your address or policy numbers. Keep donation paperwork you need for your records. Do not leave envelopes, receipts, or photocopies behind. If a document is required for the transfer and you are unsure, set it aside and ask the Arkansas DMV before pickup.
Sweep cabin and cargo areas
Make a physical pass through every storage spot: under both front seats, between the seat and console, seat-back pockets, door pockets, visors, sunglasses holder, center console, cup holders, glovebox, trunk, cargo bins, and spare-tire well. Remove child paperwork, chargers, sunglasses, tools you want to keep, cash, gift cards, medicines, and anything in a closed pouch or bag.
Wipe vehicle electronics
Factory-reset the infotainment system if the car has one. Delete Bluetooth pairings, call history, saved contacts, navigation destinations, garage codes in HomeLink, and any saved home or work address. If you cannot find a full reset, manually delete each phone and address. Check the owner’s manual or in-screen settings menu before the vehicle leaves.
Remove optional add-ons carefully
Take aftermarket items only if you can remove them without changing the car from what you described. This may include a dash cam, removable phone mount, portable jump starter, child seat, seat cover, or upgraded stereo faceplate. Do not cut wiring, remove required safety equipment, or strip parts that were included in the donation description.
Leave transfer items
Put the vehicle keys and the signed-over title where they will be handed off with the car. Sign the title only as the owner name appears, and do not use guesswork if there are coowners, liens, a business name, or an estate. If the title instructions do not match your situation, ask the Arkansas DMV before signing.
Items this checklist skips
This page is only the sweep-the-car checklist. Use our License Plates After Donation guide. Use our Release of Liability After Donation guide. Before the driver arrives, put removed items somewhere safe, not on the roof, bumper, or driveway. Keep a small trash bag and a keep box nearby so papers and valuables do not get mixed together. If more than one person used the car, ask each person to check their usual spots.
Common questions
Should I leave the registration or insurance card?
No. Remove the insurance card, registration copies, and any papers that show policy numbers, addresses, loan details, or service account numbers. Keep whatever records you need for taxes and your files. The signed-over title is different; that stays with the vehicle for the transfer.
What if I forgot something in the car?
Contact Arkansas Auto Bridge as soon as you notice. If the vehicle has not been removed yet, retrieve the item before handoff. If it has already left, recovery may not be possible, especially for loose cash, documents, electronics, or items hidden inside storage compartments.
Can I remove a dash cam or child seat?
Yes, if it is yours and removal does not damage the vehicle or change the condition you reported. Take dash cams, removable mounts, child seats, personal tools, and portable accessories. Leave built-in parts, required safety equipment, and anything that was part of the vehicle description.
More donation prep guides
A clean sweep protects your privacy and makes pickup simpler. Once your personal, billing, document, and electronic items are removed, leave the keys and signed-over title with the car for Arkansas Auto Bridge. Your vehicle donation benefits Heritage for the Blind (EIN 58-2164446). If you are ready, complete the checklist and keep your removed items together before free pickup today.