5.240 Dismantler Acquisition of Abandoned Low Value Vehicles (VC §11520)

Dismantlers who acquire abandoned low value vehicles from a public agency are exempt from paying any fees or penalties that may have accrued. Dismantlers are also exempt from filing a Notice of Acquisition (REG 42), but must submit the Report of Vehicle To Be Dismantled (REG 42).

5.230 Reregistration of Abandoned Low Value Vehicles (VC §22851.3 [l])

An abandoned low value vehicle disposed of pursuant to VC §22851.3 may not be reconstructed or made operable unless it qualifies for Horseless Carriage or Historical Vehicle license plates. (VC §5004)

5.220 Request for Post-Storage Hearing of Abandoned Low Value Vehicles (VC §22851.3 [e] [g])

If the recipient of the Notice of Intent To Dispose of a Vehicle Valued at $500 or Less Removed by a Public Agency (REG 684 (PDF)) or a written notice from the public agency wishes to stop the disposal or dispute removal, he/she must request a post-storage hearing in person, in writing, or by telephone within 10 days of the date the notice was mailed.

The requested hearing must be conducted by the public agency within 48 hours of the request, excluding weekends and holidays. If the recipient disagrees with the decision it may be reviewed pursuant to Government Code §11523. The vehicle in question cannot be disposed of during the time the decision is being reviewed.

5.210 Disposition of Abandoned Low Value Vehicles (VC §22851.3)

Step 1
At least 72 hours before the vehicle is removed, a peace officer or an authorized public agency employee must securely attach a distinctive notice stating the vehicle will be removed by the public agency.

If the vehicle lacks an engine, transmission, wheels, tires, doors, windshield, or any other part or equipment necessary to operate safely on the highways, it may be removed immediately without posting a notice (VC §22669[d]).

Step 2
Immediately after the vehicle is removed, the public agency must notify the Department of Justice at:

Department of Justice
Bureau of Information Services
Stolen Vehicle Unit
PO Box 9034l7
Sacramento, CA 94203-4l70

Step 3
The public agency or the lienholder, at the request of the public agency, must obtain from the DMV record the names of all persons having interest in the vehicle.

Step 4
Within 48 hours of the removal, excluding weekends and holidays, the public agency or the lienholder, at the public agency’s request, must notify all interested parties of the intent to dispose of the vehicle as follows:

Public agency notification:
By first class or certified mail, send a written notice pursuant to VC §22851.3 (d) to:

Lienholder notification at the request of the public agency:
Complete and send by certified mail a Notice of Intent To Dispose of a Vehicle Valued at $500 or Less Removed by a Public Agency (REG 684B) to:

Step 5
If the vehicle remains unclaimed after 15 days from the notification date, the towing and storage fees were not paid, and a request for a post-storage hearing was not made or the post-storage hearing was not attended, the public agency must complete Section A of the Public Agency Authorization To Dispose of a Vehicle to a Scrap Iron Processor or Dismantler Valued at $500 or Less (REG 462 (PDF)). Distribute the REG 462 (PDF) as follows:

Note If there is no DMV record, the public agency may issue a REG 462 (PDF) any time after the removal.

Step 6
If the notification was made by the lienholder at the request of the public agency, the lienholder must complete a Statement of Facts for Vehicles Valued at $500 or Less Removed by a Public Agency CVC 22851.3 (REG 686B).

Step 7
Dispose of the vehicle to a licensed dismantler or a scrap iron processor. Give the dismantler or scrap iron processor:

Public agency notification:

Lienholder notification:

Step 8
If the notification was made by the lienholder at the request of the public agency, the lienholder must mail a copy of the REG 686B to the department at the address on the form.

Step 9
Within 90 days of acquiring the vehicle the dismantler must submit to the department:

AND

OR

5.200 Abandoned Low Value Vehicles (VC § 22669)

Whenever a peace officer, or any designated employee of a public agency authorized by to VC §22669, removes or causes the removal of an abandoned vehicle and the public agency, or at the request of the public agency, the lienholder determines the estimated value of the vehicle to be $500 or less, the public agency must dispose of the vehicle.

5.130 Dismantler Acquisition of Vehicles Removed by a Local Abatement Procedure (VC §22664)

Dismantlers, who acquire these vehicles from a public agency, are exempt from paying any fees or penalties that may have accrued for the vehicle and from filing a Notice of Acquisition/Report of Vehicle To Be Dismantled (REG 42), if a copy of the resolution or order authorizing disposition of the vehicle is maintained as part of the dismantler’s business records.

5.120 Reregistration of Vehicles Removed by a Local Abatement Procedure (VC §§22661 [f], 22711)

A vehicle removed under the abatement procedure may not be reconstructed or made operable unless it qualifies for Horseless Carriage or Historical Vehicle license plates (VC §5004).

EXCEPTION: If a local ordinance has an abatement program under VC §22710 (Service Authority for Abatement of Abandoned Vehicles) and all reporting requirements have been met, local authorities may give abandoned vehicles to a correctional institution. The institution must have a program under the consent of the Director of Corrections for their inmates to restore and rebuild donated salvageable and abandoned vehicles.

5.110 Disposition of Vehicles Removed by a Local Abatement Procedure (VC §22661)

Step 1
Issue a 10-day notice of intention to abate and remove the vehicle or parts. The 10-day notice is not required if:

Step 2
Within five days of removal of an abandoned vehicle, submit a Notice of Removal of Abandoned Vehicle (REG 104) to the department. Attach any evidence of registration that is available, such as:

Step 3
Dismantle the vehicle or dispose of it at a licensed dismantler or a scrap iron processor.

5.100 Local Abatement Procedure (VC §§22660, 22661, 22662)

A city or county may adopt an ordinance establishing procedures for the abatement and removal, as public nuisances, of abandoned, wrecked, dismantled, or inoperative vehicles or parts from private or public property.

5.010 Definitions

Lienholder—As used in this chapter, the “lienholder” is the person or entity who has an interest in the vehicle due to storage and/or towing costs.

Legal Owner—The legal owner is the person or entity who has a financial interest in the vehicle and is listed on the titling document in the lienholder section.

Department—As used in this chapter the “department” is the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

Low Value Vehicle—As used in this chapter, “low value vehicle” is a vehicle valued at $500 or less.