18.005 Abandoned Low-Value Vehicles/Private Party (California Civil Code (CC) §§1980-1991, 1993-1993.090, 3067, 3068-3074, Vehicle Code (VC) §§22658, 22669 and 22851.3)
Public Agency Requests Abandon Vehicle Disposal/Removal
The public agency must dispose of a vehicle:
- Whenever a peace officer, or any designated employee of a public agency authorized by VC §22669, removes or causes the removal of an abandoned vehicle and the public agency.
- Whenever a peace officer, or any designated employee of a public agency authorized by VC §22851.3 requests, and the lienholder determines the estimated value of the vehicle to be $500 or less.
- If, at the request of the public agency, the lienholder determines the estimated
value of the vehicle to be $500 or less.
Private Party Lien Sales
- Private parties are not legally able to use the vehicle lien sale process outlined in
CC §§3067-3074, unless they are lawfully in the business of providing repairs, towing, and/or storage of vehicles and legally entitled to compensation not received.
- Private property owners may have a vehicle removed from their property pursuant to
VC §22658 when the vehicle is abandoned, and the property owner qualifies and complies with the statute. In these cases, the towing company who removed the vehicle has the authority to conduct a lien sale pursuant to CC §§3067-3074.
Chapter 18 Lien Sales—Abandoned—Abated Vehicles
18.000 Introduction
This chapter contains the procedures for vehicle and vessel lien sales, abandoned, and abated vehicles.
Chapter 18: Lien Sales – Abandoned – Abated Vehicles
18.005 Abandoned Low-Value Vehicles/Private Party
18.010 Categories of Lien Sales
18.015 Cost to Conduct a Lien Sale
18.020 Declaration of Opposition
18.025 Declaration of Opposition on Low-Value Vehicles Removed for Reasons Other Than Abandonment
18.040 Dismantler Acquisition of Abandoned Low-Value Vehicles
18.045 Dismantler Acquisition of Vehicles Removed by a Local Abatement Procedure
18.050 Disposition of Abandoned Low-Value Vehicles
18.055 Disposition of Low-Value Vehicles Removed for Reasons Other Than Abandonment
18.060 Disposition of Vehicles Removed by a Local Abatement Procedure
18.070 Liens Sale Dispute Resolution
18.080 Local Abatement Procedure
18.085 Low-Value Vehicles Removed for Reasons other than Abandonment
18.095 Parking and Toll Violation Liens
18.100 Planned Nonoperation (PNO)
18.105 Proceeds of a Lien Sale
18.115 Re-registration of Low-Value Vehicles Removed for Reasons Other Than Abandonment
18.120 Re-registration of Vehicles Removed by a Local Abatement Procedure
18.125 Request for Post-Storage Hearing of Abandoned Low-Value Vehicles
18.130 Seizure and Sale of Vehicles
18.135 Storage Lien Limitation
18.145 Vehicles Valued at $4,000 or Less
18.150 Vehicles Valued Over $4,000 or From a Self-Storage Facility
18.155 Vessel Liens—Boaters Lien Law
18.160 Vessel or Vessel and Trailer Combination Valued at $1,500 or Less
18.165 Vessel or Vessel and Trailer Combination Valued Over $1,500
17.015 IRP Information
For specific information regarding IRP requirements and procedures, refer to the California International Registration Plan Handbook (MC 524) Chapter 1: Introduction and General Information – California DMV.
Original IRP applications and inventory issuance are done by IRP Operations in DMV headquarters and authorized Interstate Carrier Participants though the Interstate Carrier Program – California DMV.
Field offices and Industry Business Centers (IBC) must:
- Not process original IRP applications.
- Not issue any IRP indicia.
- Run a DCS on the vehicle identification number (VIN) to check for stops on the record before processing IRP-related application for title only, transfer of ownership, or conversion from IRP to regular registration.
- Direct IRP customers to mail IRP applications to the following DMV IRP address or visit an authorized Interstate Carrier Participant:
Department of Motor Vehicles
IRP Operations Section, MS H160
PO Box 932320
Sacramento, CA 94232-3200
Note DMV headquarters will continue to process IRP related applications, such as title only, transfer of ownership, and conversion from IRP to regular or partial year registration.
17.010 IRP Conversion to Regular Registration
IRP vehicle records are registration only records based on unverified information submitted by the IRP carrier, who may not even be the registered owner shown on the title. All descriptive information including the cost of the vehicle to determine vehicle license fee (VLF) and unladen weight are estimated by the carrier.
Use the information from the last issued California Certificate of Title when processing a “Delete From IRP” application. A data communication system (DCS) on the vehicle identification number may be necessary to determine if a California Certificate of Title record exists. If there is no California Certificate of Title, it is an original application and the class and unladen weight need to be established from the documents being submitted. Never use the information shown on an
apportioned vehicle registration record.
Delete a Vehicle From IRP—The following must be submitted to the IRP unit at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) headquarters:
Department of Motor Vehicles
IRP Operations Section
P.O. Box 932320, MS H160
Sacramento, CA 94232-3200
- A completed Schedule C—California Apportioned Fleet Supplemental Application.
- Any IRP plate and Cab Card in the possession of the applicant must be surrendered.
The following must be submitted to the IRP unit at DMV headquarters:
- The Certificate of Title, if applicable (refer to the chart under Delete from Apportioned subsection).
- A vehicle verification if there is no record for the vehicle on DMV ’s database, other than the IRP record.
- Odometer disclosure and acknowledgment, if applicable.
- A Certificate of Excise Tax Clearance (BOE1138) from the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) is required for any transfer of a commercial vehicle with an unladen weight of 7,000 pounds or more powered by fuel other than gasoline or diesel.
- A weight certificate, if applicable. Refer to exceptions to the weight certificate requirement section in Chapter 13.
- A Statement of Facts (REG 256) form from the owner stating no body changes have been made to the vehicle, if appropriate.
- A smog certification, if appropriate.
- Fees are due from the date of deletion or the date of first operation if a Certificate of Non-Operation (REG 102) form is submitted from the date of deletion from IRP. The vehicle is not subject to planned nonoperation (PNO) requirements until converted to full-year or partial-year registration on the DMV’s records.
| For | The Applicant Must Submit |
|---|---|
| ForFull-year registration | The Applicant Must Submit– Full-year registration fee, vehicle license fee (VLF), and weight fee. – Any other fees that may be due. |
| ForPYR | The Applicant Must Submit– Full-year registration fee. – VLF prorated from the date fees due until 12/31/XX. – Weight fee prorated for the number of PYR months requested. – PYR service fee. – Any other fees that may be due. |
EXCEPTION: The fees for vehicles deleted effective December 31 from an IRP fleet become due and are calculated as of January 1, unless the applicant submits an application and requests indicia on December 31, then fees are due from December 31.
The procedures below must be followed:
• Assign new expiration date one year from date fees become due unless Partial Year Registration (PYR) is being requested.
• Issue new license plates and stickers.
Delete From IRP—If there is a California Title Only and:
| If | And There Is | The Following Must Be Submitted |
|---|---|---|
| IfThe same registered owner is converting to regular registration | And There IsA title only record on the database | The Following Must Be Submitted– A REG 256 from the owner stating no body changes have been made. The title does not need to be submitted, unless there are changes. The procedures below must be followed – Key the application renewal. – Issue no fee license plates. Note: The expiration date will be 12 months from the “Date Fees Rec’d” date. |
| If | And There IsNot a Title Only record on the database | The Following Must Be Submitted– The California Certificate of Title. – A Verification of Vehicle (REG 31) form. – A REG 256 from the owner stating no body changes have been made. The procedures below must be followed – Key as an original. – Retain the VLF class, date first sold, and unladen weight from the title. |
| IfThere is a transfer of registered owner(s) | And There IsA title only record on the database | The Following Must Be Submitted– The Certificate of Title properly endorsed for transfer. – The usual transfer requirements, as shown in Chapter 11: Transfers – California DMV. The procedure below must be followed – Key as a transfer |
| If | And There IsNot a title only record on the database | The Following Must Be Submitted– The California Certificate of Title. – A REG 31. – A REG 256 from the new owner stating no body changes were made. The procedures below must be followed – Key as an original. – Retain the date first sold, and unladen weight from the title. |
Delete from IRP— If there is not a California Title and:
| There Is | And | The Following Must Be Submitted |
|---|---|---|
| There IsA California apportioned registration only record on the database | AndOut-of-state or foreign titling documents are presented | The Following Must Be Submitted– An Application for Title or Registration (REG 343). – A REG 31. – The out-of-state titling documents. – The usual application requirements for out-of-state or foreign vehicles, as shown in Chapter 12: Nonresident Vehicles – California DMV. The procedure below must be followed – Key as a nonresident. |
| There Is | AndThere are no titling documents for the vehicle | The Following Must Be Submitted– A REG 343. – A REG 31. – A REG 256 showing who, how, and when the vehicle was obtained, the current value, and prior registration history, if any. – The usual application requirements for unavailable records, as shown in Chapter 7: Miscellaneous Originals – California DMV. – A Motor Vehicle Bond, if the value of the vehicle is $5,000 or more. The procedure below must be followed – Key as an original. |
| There Is | AndA Manufacturer’s Statement/Certificate of Origin (MSO/MCO) is presented | The Following Must Be Submitted– A REG 343. – A REG 31. – The MSO/MCO. – The usual application requirements for originals, as shown in shown in Chapter 7: Miscellaneous Originals – California DMV. The procedure below must be followed – Key as an original. |
| There Is | AndA California Certificate of Title is presented for which there is no record | The Following Must Be Submitted– The California Certificate of Title. – A REG 31. – The usual application requirements for originals, as shown in shown in Chapter 7: Miscellaneous Originals – California DMV. The procedures below must be followed – Key as an original. – Retain the VLF class, date first sold, and unladen weight. |
Note A transfer fee is not due if the application is processed as an original; however, use tax may be due. Refer to Chapter 4 for use tax information.
Transfer of IRP Title Only Vehicle—In addition to the previously outlined requirements:
| If the New Owner | The Following Must Be Submitted |
|---|---|
| If the New OwnerOperates on an apportioned basis | The Following Must Be SubmittedRefer to the California International Registration Plan (IRP) Handbook (MC 524) for requirements. Refer to Chapter 1: Introduction and General Information – California DMV. |
| If the New OwnerRequests regular registration | The Following Must Be Submitted– The apportioned plates/stickers/cab cards must be submitted for cancellation. – The usual transfer/nonresident clearance requirements must be submitted. – A CDTFA 1138 from the CDTFA is required if the vehicle is powered by other than gasoline or diesel fuel. |
| If the New OwnerRequests transfer of title only | The Following Must Be Submitted– The usual transfer/nonresident clearance requirements. – A CDTFA 1138 from the CDTFA is required for vehicles powered by other than gasoline or diesel fuel. – A REG 256 completed by the applicant requesting a “transfer only.” – A REG 102 from competed by the previous owner if the date the vehicle was deleted from the fleet was prior to the date of transfer. – A transfer fee, if appropriate. The procedures below must be followed – Verify the apportioned registration. – Assign a “Q” series number if there is no prior license plate number. |
| If the New OwnerRequests transfer of legal owner only | The Following Must Be Submitted– The properly endorsed Certificate of Title. – A REG 256 which states the vehicle is currently registered as part of a California-apportioned fleet and includes the account number for the fleet. – The transfer fee. The procedure below must be followed – Do not issue a temporary operating permit (TOP). |
Delete from (IRP)—If there is a California title with Commercial License Plates and:
| The | And | The Following Must Be Submitted |
|---|---|---|
| TheSame registered owner is converting to regular registration | AndA prior California commercial record is on the database | The Following Must Be Submitted– The California Certificate of Title. – A REG 256 from the owner stating no body changes have been made. – The usual application requirements for originals, as shown in Chapter 7: Miscellaneous Originals – California DMV. The procedure below must be followed – Retain the VLF class, date first sold, and unladen weight from the title. |
| The | AndNo prior California commercial record is on the database | The Following Must Be Submitted– The California Certificate of Title. – A REG 31. – A REG 256 from the owner stating no body changes have been made. – The usual application requirements for originals, as shown in Chapter 7. The procedure below must be followed – Retain the VLF class, date first sold, and unladen weight from the title. |
| The | AndA California commercial record is on the database with a current expiration date | The Following Must Be Submitted– The California Certificate of Title. – The usual application requirements for transfers, as shown in Chapter 11: Transfers – California DMV. – The reregistration fee. The procedure below must be followed – Retain the VLF class, date first sold, and unladen weight from the title. |
| TheVehicle is being transferred to a new registered owner(s), who is converting to regular registration | AndA prior California commercial record is on the database | The Following Must Be Submitted– The California Certificate of Title properly endorsed for transfer. – The usual application requirements for transfers, as shown in Chapter 11: Transfers – California DMV. The procedure below must be followed – Key as an original. – Do not key the prior plate number. |
| The | AndNo prior California commercial record is on the database | The Following Must Be Submitted– The California Certificate of Title properly endorsed for transfer. – A REG 31. – The usual application requirements for transfers, as shown in Chapter 11: Transfers – California DMV. The procedure below must be followed – Key as an original. – Retain the date first sold, and unladen weight from the title – Do not key the prior plate number |
17.005 Definition of International Traffic Vehicles
International Traffic Vehicles are heavy duty commercial vehicles, which are allowed to import and/or pick up merchandise and leave as expeditiously as possible.
These vehicles enter California for the sole purpose of doing business and do not intend to remain in this state. They must have interstate (commercial) registration and proof of insurance from a company authorized to do business in California.
Proof of insurance from a company authorized to do business in California showing coverage in the following amounts must be presented for commercial vehicles over 7,000 pounds unladen, that are base-plated in Mexico or Newfoundland (VC §16500.5):
- $250,000—Public Liability Per Person.
- $500,000—Public Liability Per Accident.
- $100,000—Property Damage.
- $600,000—Combined Total Coverage.
Chapter 17 International Registration Plan (IRP)
17.000 Introduction
The International Registration Plan (IRP) is an apportioned or “prorated” registration program that allows payment of license fees based on the total distance operated in two or more member jurisdictions. All jurisdictions have agreed to allow one jurisdiction (the base jurisdiction) to collect the license fees due. The base jurisdiction calculates and collects the license fees due to all member jurisdictions in which the registrant’s fleet/vehicles will be operated. The fees are divided and disbursed periodically.
Registrants file for IRP registration in their base jurisdiction. California will only accept IRP applications from carriers who provide proof of residency in California or an established place of business in California. Carriers based outside of California should contact the vehicle registration regulatory agency in their home state.
Trailers are not registered as IRP, instead they are registered as Permanent Trailer Identification (PTI).
Chapter 17: International Registration Plan (IRP)
17.005 Definition of International Traffic Vehicles
17.010 IRP Conversion to Regular Registration
16.025 Truck Tractor/Semitrailer Combination Modular Mover (VC §§36012 and 36101)
A “modular mover” includes a truck tractor in combination with a semitrailer that is equipped with a self-loading bed and is designed and used exclusively to transport a cotton module to a cotton gin. These vehicles are issued an SE plate from the series beginning with SE800000. They are exempt from the vehicle license fee (VLF) and weight fee, but are subject to the annual registration, law enforcement, and CHP fees.
The law specifies that to maintain the modular mover exemption:
- The vehicle cannot be operated during the exemption period in any manner other than as a cotton module mover.
- The exemption must be renewed annually.
- The vehicle must be registered before it is operated as a commercial vehicle.
16.020 Transfers (VC §§5017 and 5018)
Each time SE is transferred, the new owner must qualify for issuance of SE plates.
The following must be submitted:
- The same documents as shown in the Identification Plates section in this chapter.
Note The seller/owner of record completes the information on the back of the SE ID card and forwards it to DMV to report the transfer.
Forward any SE ID cards with transfer information received in the field office to the Special Processing Unit (SPU) in DMV headquarters.
Refer to the Substitute Special Equipment (SE) Plate/Stickers and/or Replacement ID Card section in Chapter 20.