Cars for Schools

The Cars for Schools program provides retired vehicles to public high schools, community colleges, and regional occupation programs across California. The program supports hands-on training opportunities for students preparing for automotive careers.

How the program works

• The Cars for School program provides up to 350 retired vehicles to schools each year. The vehicles are retired through BAR’s Consumer Assistance Program (CAP).

• Schools can request certain vehicle makes, models, or model years. They can also request ranges of model years or other specific features.

• Schools receive vehicles at no charge. They are responsible for the cost of transporting vehicles from the dismantler to the school and back.

• Schools must sign a memorandum of understanding with BAR. This agreement includes specific terms for participation such as:

  • Not operating the vehicles on public roads

  • Returning the vehicles back to the dismantler by a specified date

Benefits for schools

• Access to retired vehicles for automotive repair training.

• Enhances vocational and practical learning opportunities for students.

• Provides students with hands-on experience in a practical training environment.

• Helps prepare students for careers in the automotive industry.

• Supports efforts to improve California's air quality by repurposing retired vehicles.

How to participate

Contact the Cars for Schools program coordinator at carsforschools@dca.ca.gov.