Free Cars - Real Deal or Scam?

You've probably seen the ads that claim to offer you a free car to drive. Are these claims too good to be true — or are they real?

Almost, but not quite. There's enough truth and real opportunity to make it worth considering. These companies DO exist, and they DO pay people to drive, and they DO provide free cars to drive. Real people are currently participating and benefiting from these programs.

How does it work?

In short, you agree to drive a car that advertises some company's product or service. Since you do the advertising, you get paid for your services or you get a free car to drive. In some cases, you may get a free car and get paid too.

The advertising company "wraps" your car in an easily-removable paint-safe vinyl film that contains an attractive graphic ad that promotes a client company's product or service. For example, the ad might promote a cell phone service or a new restaurant in town.

Some ads might be "full-car" wraps (looks great on SUVs), partial wraps, or simple window ads. Don't worry, you can see just fine through your "wrapped" windows.

The company offering the product or service pays the advertising company, and the advertising company pays you to drive your own car or provides you a free leased car with the advertising already applied. The more money the advertising company collects from its clients, the more money you stand to make.

The amount you get paid, or whether you get a free car, depends primarily on three factors:

• The number of miles you drive per month
• Where you drive
• Where you park

Of course, you'll be paid more and have a better chance at a free car if you drive lots of miles and drive in a heavily populated and high traffic area. In some cases, you may be asked to drive a specific route. The more people that have a chance of seeing your car as it's being driven or where it's parked, the greater your opportunity.

If you only drive a few blocks back and forth to school in the suburbs, or drive only to church on Sundays, you probably won't qualify for this kind of program.

It's not too difficult to figure out whether or not you might qualify for one of these free car programs when you consider the objectives of the advertisers. They simply want their ads to be seen by as many people as possible in a specific area.

Free cars - what's the catch ?

You have to be at least 18 years old, have a drivers license, and have a good driving record. You pay for insurance and, in some cases, for maintenance, especially if you drive your own car.

New cars aren't always available and you may not be able to drive the make/model of your choice. However, depending on the company, you may have enough choices that you can find something that you like.

You may or may not be able to select the ad that goes on your car or the duration that the ad stays on the car. Of course, if you don't like the ad program, you can turn it down and wait for a better one. Most ads are attractive and well designed so that you wouldn't be embarrassed to be seen with it.

Keep in mind that the "free" car belongs to the advertising company, not you. At the end of the agreement, which could be as much as five years, you give the car back.

Also remember that the ad stays on your car 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can't take it on and off. If this is your only car, you must be prepared to drive the car everywhere you go — to weddings and funerals, to work, to school, to the mall, and everywhere else that you drive.

Competition for these free cars is very heavy, outstripping demand in many cases. It may take up to 90 days to get accepted into a program. Therefore, you have to be well qualified and patient in your attempt to land one of these deals. Free is not always easy.

But, for a free car, it might all be worth it.

Free cars - how do I sign up ?

There are many advertising companies, in many different locations, that use this form of advertising. Some companies only advertise in a specific city or advertise certain types of products. Some provide new cars, others only pay you to advertise using your own car, and some do both. Some do full-car wraps, others may only do spot ads.

Therefore, the best way to find the companies that would work best for you, where you live and drive, is to "subscribe" to an information directory that lists all such advertisers. These directories are compiled and provided by companies who specialize in this kind of service. There are a relatively small number of these companies, who can be found on the Internet, in newspaper ads, and in auto-related magazines.

There is typically a one-time charge for the directory subscription, usually about $30, and usually with a 90-day money-back guarantee, which gives you enough time to determine if the directory is going to help you land a deal.

Since the directory is always changing and being updated, make sure you get a lifetime "membership" if possible, and that all future updates to the directory are free.

With the list of advertising companies and contact information, it's up to you to apply for their programs. Some directory companies offer help with the application process, although you should not pay extra for this service. And you should not pay extra for a "premium" listing or to be placed at the "top" of the list of applicants.

Be honest and provide accurate information in your application. Most companies will check your credentials. Of course, there are no guarantees that you'll be accepted or that you'll find a deal that you like, but completing an application is a small investment of your time for the chance at a rewarding possibility.

Free cars - where do I get the information I need ?

The following companies listed below provide free-car and drive-for-pay program directories. The directories include programs in the U.S. and other countries all over the world. All of the companies have confirmed money-back guarantees.

Subscribing with more than one company might be somewhat beneficial but, generally, it should be expected that one company's directory will be much like another's.

Free Car Index - This is a complete database of companies that pay people to drive free cars with advertisements on them — with instant and unlimited online access. The data is well organized and updated daily. The companies in the directory, collectively, have over 100,000 brand new vehicles wrapped in advertisements that are ready to be driven. This company has a 90-day 100% money-back satisfaction guarantee. Their directory only applies to residents of the United States, Canada, UK, Australia, and France.

The Free Car - We especially like this site because it offers a great "Car Finder" that allows you to see if there are advertisers in your area before you buy the service. There is an online application process to shorten the procedure. They also have a money-back guarantee and a nice free bonus product.