Americans pay more than $12,000 annually on transportation , and for almost everyone that means a car. One reason car ownership is so high is simple: Most people need one to get to and from work and to perform basic chores like grocery shopping. In many areas of the country, you can’t work or shop unless you can drive yourself somewhere.
But cars are expensive. New car prices have jumped 30% in the last few years , and used car prices have jumped almost 40%. For a lot of people that’s the rock and the hard place: They need a car to live, but they can’t afford a car — any car.
If that’s you, however, there is one possibility you might not know about: a free car. There are a few ways you might be able to score a free vehicle if you need one and can’t afford one on your own. Of course, getting a free car isn’t going to be easy.
Most of the organizations offering free cars have very strict eligibility requirements in terms of income, employment, and your legal ability to operate a moving vehicle. There’s usually a pretty high demand and a low inventory, because most of these cars are donations, so there’s often a wait list. And the cars you get vary wildly in terms of condition, and might require a lot of maintenance or offer a less-than-luxurious driving experience.
That being said, if you absolutely need a car, it might be worth spending the time to apply and register for one. Here’s where you can look. Non-profit organizations that give away free cars Your .
