Abandoned Motor Vehicles

An abandoned vehicle (46.2-1200) is any motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer or parts of a motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer that:

• is inoperable and is left unattended on public property, other than an interstate highway or primary highway, for more than 48 hours, or
• has remained illegally on public property for more than 48 hours, or
• has remained more than 48 hours on private property without the consent of the property owner, regardless of whether it was brought onto the private property with the consent of the owner or person in control of the private property, or
• is inoperable, left unattended, or both, on the interstate highway or on the shoulder of a primary highway.

If a vehicle is abandoned on private property (46.2-1208), the property owner can request ownership information from DMV by completing the form CRD93 and paying a $8.00 fee. Upon receipt of the ownership information, the property owner is responsible for notifying all persons having interest in the vehicle (i.e., lienholder, owner), of the vehicle's status by registered or certified mail, (return receipt requested) and advising them to reclaim and remove their vehicle within thirty days. If this does not occur, the property owner may apply for a certificate of title in his name.

The county, city or town, where a vehicle is abandoned may take custody of the vehicle. In order to do so, they must notify, by registered or certified mail within fifteen days (returned receipt requested), all persons having interest in the vehicle (i.e., lienholder, owner) of their intent (46.2-1202, Code of Virginia) to tow the abandoned vehicle. This allows the owner the ability to claim his vehicle. If the owner does not respond within the time allowed, the county, city or town may sell the vehicle at a public auction.

If a vehicle is abandoned in a garage for more than 10 days (46.2-1204), the garage must attempt to notify all persons having interest in the vehicle (i.e., lienholder, owner) by registered or certified mail, (return receipt requested). If the vehicle is claimed by the owner/lienholder, all fees owed to the garage must be paid at that time. If the vehicle was not claimed and was sold by the county, city or town any fees owed to the garage will be deducted from the sale of the vehicle.

If the property owner/garage is applying for title, the following must be submitted with their application (VSA17A) for title:

1. VSA-40, "Affidavit of Compliance Under Abandoned Motor Vehicle Act".

2. If registered in Virginia, a copy of the CRD93 or DMV transcript of the vehicle record showing the last registered owner and lien holder; or
   
   If not registered in Virginia, a certification from the state where the vehicle is titled showing the name and address of the owner(s)/lienholder(s). DMV will not issue a title unless this certification is submitted.

3. Signed receipts for registered or certified mail that notified the owners(s) and lienholder(s) of the location of the vehicle and your intention to apply for a Virginia title if not claimed 30 days after notice (120 days if a manufactured or mobile home).

4. If registered/certified mail is returned as "undeliverable", attach it to this form UNOPENED.

Along with the above-mentioned items, the appropriate fees and vehicle registration requirements must be met (i.e., insurance if the vehicle is registered).