How To Claim an Abandoned Vehicle in California
Claiming an abandoned vehicle in California is governed by state law and established procedures of the California Department of Motor Vehicles. The legal process varies depending on the vehicle's value, removal authority, and circumstances of removal, requiring compliance with notice, waiting period, and filing requirements to obtain authority over the vehicle through either a formal lien sale or authorized disposal to a dismantler.
What Qualifies as an Abandoned Vehicle in California
California law addresses abandoned vehicles through Vehicle Code section 22658 and related provisions. An abandoned vehicle is generally one left unattended on public property without authorization or on private property without the owner's consent. Private property owners may authorize the removal of an abandoned vehicle, provided the property owner qualifies and complies with the statutory requirements, including posting a notice on the property.
When a peace officer or designated public agency employee removes an abandoned vehicle, the vehicle qualifies for removal if it is left unattended, unsafe to operate, or meets criteria established in Vehicle Code sections 22669 and 22851.3. For public agency removals, notice requirements depend on the vehicle's condition and estimated value. A vehicle lacking an engine, transmission, wheels, tires, doors, windshield, or any component necessary to operate safely on highways may be removed immediately without advance notice if the estimated value is $300 or less; otherwise, at least 72 hours' notice must be securely attached to the vehicle before removal for vehicles valued at $500 or less by public agencies.
An abandoned vehicle becomes subject to disposal or lien sale procedures when it remains unclaimed after the statutory notice period and any applicable waiting periods have expired. The vehicle's estimated fair market value determines which process applies—disposition to a licensed dismantler for vehicles valued at $500 or less removed by public agencies or a formal lien sale under Civil Code sections 3067 through 3074 for vehicles exceeding that threshold or from private property tows.
Process To Claim an Abandoned Vehicle in California
Understanding the Abandoned Vehicle Process
California law establishes distinct procedures for handling abandoned vehicles based on their value and the authority to remove them. For vehicles valued at $500 or less and removed by a public agency, the vehicle may be disposed of to a licensed dismantler or scrap iron processor. For vehicles with greater value or those removed from private property by towing companies, a lien sale process compliant with California Civil Code sections 3067 through 3074 applies. Private property owners may authorize vehicle removal under Vehicle Code section 22658; when a towing company removes the vehicle in response, the company may conduct a lien sale if entitled to unpaid compensation for towing, recovery, storage, or repair services. Possession alone does not convey ownership; statutory compliance regarding notice, waiting periods, and either formal sale or authorized disposal is required before title or lawful interest transfers to the claiming party.
Report the Unclaimed Vehicle
For vehicles valued at $500 or less removed by public agencies: After removal, the public agency must immediately notify the Department of Justice Stolen Vehicle System in Sacramento of the removal. The public agency must also obtain the names and addresses of all persons having an interest in the vehicle from the California Department of Motor Vehicles, the California Law Enforcement Telecommunications System, or other available records; however, this subdivision does not require obtaining the actual DMV record on file.
For formal lien sales (vehicles over $500 or from private property): The removing party or lienholder must verify the vehicle is not stolen by checking with appropriate law enforcement channels and must obtain from the California DMV a record of all persons having an interest in the vehicle, including the registered owner, legal owner, and any lienholders.
For vehicles valued at $500 or less removed by a public agency, within five days of removal the Notice – Removal of Abandoned Vehicle (REG 104) must be submitted to the DMV with any available evidence of ownership.
Verify Title Records and Owner Information
For vehicles valued at $4,000 or less (formal lien sales): The removing party or lienholder must submit a Registration Information Request for Lien Sale (INF 1126) and nonrefundable processing fee to the DMV within 15 days of the date the lien arose (when the public agency impounded the vehicle or private property owner authorized the tow), or within 30 days for other reasons. The DMV provides a printout of the vehicle record using the vehicle identification number, listing all interested parties who require notice.
For vehicles valued over $4,000 (formal lien sales): The lienholder must submit an Application for Lien Sale Authorization and Lienholder's Certification (REG 656) and a nonrefundable processing fee to the DMV within 30 days of the date the lien arose.
Send Required Notices
For vehicles valued at $500 or less (public agency disposal): Within 48 hours of removal (excluding weekends and holidays), the public agency or lienholder must send notice to all interested parties. A Notice of Intent To Dispose of a Vehicle Valued at $500 or Less (REG 684B) must be sent by first-class or certified mail to the registered owner, legal owner, and any known interested parties. The notice shall include information that the vehicle may be disposed of 15 days from the notice date.
For vehicles valued at $4,000 or less (formal lien sales): Immediately upon receipt of the vehicle record from the DMV, and at least 31 days but not more than 41 days prior to the sale date, a Notice of Pending Lien Sale for Vehicle Valued $4,000 or Less (REG 668) must be sent by certified mail with return receipt requested or by U.S. Postal Service Certificate of Mailing to the registered owner, legal owner, any known interested parties, and the DMV. Owners and interested parties have 10 days from the mailing date to oppose the sale by signing and returning the Declaration of Opposition.
For vehicles valued over $4,000 (formal lien sales): The DMV sends a notice and copy of the application by certified mail to the registered and legal owners and any interested persons. The notice includes all statements required by Civil Code section 3071. Interested parties have 10 days from the mailing date to oppose the sale by signing and returning the Declaration of Opposition.
Allow the Statutory Waiting Period
For vehicles valued at $500 or less: If the vehicle remains unclaimed after 15 days from the notification date and towing and storage fees are not paid, the public agency may authorize disposal to a dismantler or scrap iron processor. If an interested party requests a post-storage hearing and does not attend, the vehicle becomes eligible for disposal after the 15-day period expires.
For vehicles valued at $4,000 or less (lien sales): The 10-day opposition period must elapse before the sale may proceed. If opposed, the lienholder may submit evidence to overcome the opposition and proceed with the sale. Lien sale proceedings must commence within 15 days of the lien's date of issuance.
For vehicles valued over $4,000 (lien sales): If opposed, the lienholder must file an action in court within 30 days of the DMV's notice of opposition. If a Declaration of Opposition is filed, no lien sale shall be conducted unless the lienholder obtains a court judgment or the declarant subsequently releases their interest or cannot be served.
File Notice of Sale, Auction, Or Transfer
For vehicles valued at $4,000 or less: The Notice of Pending Lien Sale for Vehicle Valued $4,000 or Less (REG 668) serves as the notice of sale. The form must specify the vehicle make, year and model, vehicle identification number (for motorcycles), engine number (for motorcycles), sale date, time, and location.
For vehicles valued over $4,000: An Application for Lien Sale Authorization and Lienholder's Certification (REG 656) and a nonrefundable processing fee must be submitted to the DMV within 30 days of the lien-arising date. Upon approval, a Notice of Pending Lien Sale for Vehicle Valued Over $4,000 or From a Self-Service Facility (REG 280) must be sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, 20 days prior to the sale but not counting the day of sale.
Publish Auction Notice
For vehicles valued at $4,000 or less: The REG 668 must be posted in a conspicuous place at the lienholder's business premises at least 10 consecutive days prior to and including the sale date. If the sale is at a different location, the notice must also be posted at the sale site.
For vehicles valued over $4,000: Notice must be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the county at least five days and not more than 20 days prior to the sale. If no newspaper of general circulation is published in the county, notice must be posted in three of the most public places in the town and at the sale location for 10 consecutive days prior to and including the day of sale.
Conduct the Public Auction Or Other Authorized Sale
The lienholder must conduct the sale in a businesslike manner, with sealed bids not permitted. The vehicle must be made available for inspection at a location easily accessible to the public for at least one hour before the sale. The vehicle must be present at the specified time and location on the sale date.
For vehicles valued at $4,000 or less, the buyer takes immediate possession with no redemption period allowed.
For vehicles valued over $4,000, the registered or legal owner may redeem the vehicle within 10 days after the sale by paying all costs, expenses, and 12 percent interest.
Complete The Bill Of Sale And Title Documents
After the sale, the lienholder must remove and destroy the license plates and submit a Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability (REG 138) to the DMV within five days of the sale.
For vehicles valued at $4,000 or less, a Certification of Lien Sale for Vehicles Valued $4,000 or Less (REG 168A) must be completed by the lienholder or agent. If no qualifying bid is received, the lienholder completes the form as both seller and buyer.
For vehicles valued over $4,000, a Certification of Lien Sale for Vehicles Valued Over $4,000 or From a Self–Serve Storage Facility (REG 168) must be completed.
The buyer receives the certification of sale, certified mailing receipts, DMV printout or vehicle record, and any documentation of opposition resolution.
Apply For Title
The buyer must submit an Application for Title or Registration (REG 343) to the DMV along with the certification of lien sale, DMV vehicle record printout, certified mailing receipts, and applicable fees. Within 15 days of the sale, any excess proceeds remaining after payment of liens and costs must be submitted to the DMV Lien Sales Unit at PO Box 932317, Sacramento, CA 94232-3170.
Within 90 days of acquiring the vehicle, a dismantler must submit a Report of Vehicle to be Dismantled (REG 42) along with the certification of lien sale, mailing receipts, and vehicle record.
Bonded Title Or Surety Bond Requirements
If supporting evidence of ownership is unavailable, a Motor Vehicle Ownership Surety Bond (REG 5057) must be submitted when the vehicle value is $5,000 or more, the vehicle is nontransferable, or a release from the legal owner or lienholder cannot be obtained. The bond must be obtained for the fair market value of the vehicle as determined by a written appraisal from a California or other state-licensed dealer or motor vehicle insurance representative or by submitting a Statement of Facts (REG 256) establishing valuation based on an industry handbook such as Kelley Blue Book using the average of the lowest and highest price valuations. The bond must be signed by the surety and notarized; preprinted surety signatures and notary acknowledgments are not acceptable.
Special Rules For Salvage, Rebuilt, Or Inoperable Vehicles
California law addresses salvage and rebuilt vehicle designations through title branding. If a vehicle was previously designated as salvage, this designation transfers to the new title. The "rebuilt" designation applies after a salvage-titled vehicle has been restored and inspected. Inoperable vehicles may be disposed of as scrap or dismantled without full title transfer, depending on their condition and value.
Maintain Records
The removing party, lienholder, and buyer must maintain records related to the removal, notice, and sale process. These records include copies of all notices sent, certified mailing receipts with postmark dates, DMV correspondence, vehicle records, bills of sale, and the lien sale certification. Records must be retained to establish compliance with statutory timelines and procedures and to prove a clear chain of title or lawful disposition authority.
California Storage Fees And Financial Considerations
Storage Fee Rules
Towing and storage charges accrue during the period the vehicle remains in possession of the removing party or lienholder. For vehicles valued at $500 or less removed by public agencies, no storage fee may accrue beyond the 15-day notice period if the vehicle is not redeemed. For vehicles subject to lien sale, storage charges constitute part of the lienholder's lien and are paid from sale proceeds.
An owner or lienholder may request a post-storage hearing before the vehicle is disposed of or sold to contest the removal or the reasonableness of charges. Such requests must be made within the applicable notice period to preserve this right.
Towing And Recovery Charges
Towing and recovery charges are regulated by local ordinance and vary by jurisdiction. These charges, along with storage fees, administrative costs, and any repair charges, constitute a first priority lien on the vehicle and must be satisfied before title transfers to a new owner or the vehicle is released.
Disputes Over Charges
An owner or registered keeper may request a post-storage hearing to contest towing and storage charges. The hearing must be requested within the notice period. If a post-storage hearing is not attended by the owner or lienholder within the applicable period, the right to contest charges is waived, and the vehicle becomes eligible for disposal or sale.
Sale Proceeds And Excess Funds
Sale proceeds from a lien sale are applied first to the lienholder's charges for towing, recovery, storage, and administrative costs, then to the costs of conducting the sale. Any remaining balance is retained by the DMV or submitted in accordance with applicable law. If the sale produces insufficient proceeds to cover all charges, the lienholder retains ownership of the vehicle and may pursue a legal claim against the original owner for the deficiency.
For vehicles valued at $500 or less disposed of to a dismantler, no sale proceeds are generated; the vehicle is disposed of as a public nuisance.
Contact Information
California Department of Motor Vehicles
2415 1st Avenue, Mail Station C271, Sacramento, CA 95818-2606
Phone: (800) 777-0133
Official Website: California Department of Motor Vehicles
