How To Claim an Abandoned Vehicle in Vermont

Claiming an abandoned vehicle in Vermont is a legally structured process governed by Vermont Statutes Title 23, Chapter 21, Subchapter 7. The process involves removal authorization, notification of registered owners and lienholders, statutory waiting periods, and issuance of a certificate of abandoned motor vehicle by the Department of Motor Vehicles.

What Qualifies as an Abandoned Vehicle in Vermont

According to 23 V.S.A. § 2151, an abandoned motor vehicle is defined as one of the following:

A motor vehicle that has remained on public or private property or on or along a highway for more than 48 hours without the consent of the owner or person in control of the property and has a valid registration plate or public vehicle identification number that has not been removed, destroyed, or altered.
A motor vehicle that has remained on public or private property or on or along a highway without the consent of the owner or person in control of the property for any period of time if the vehicle does not have a valid registration plate, the public vehicle identification number has been removed, destroyed, or altered, or a law enforcement officer has requested that the vehicle be removed by a towing service.

Vehicles or equipment used in construction, highway maintenance, or the operation of public utility facilities are excluded from the definition of abandoned motor vehicles, provided they are left in a manner that does not interfere with the normal movement of traffic.

Removal Authority

Only a law enforcement officer is authorized to remove an abandoned motor vehicle from public property based upon personal observation that the vehicle meets the abandonment criteria. On private property, both law enforcement officers (upon the property owner's request) and property owners themselves may remove abandoned vehicles. A property owner who removes an abandoned vehicle from private property must immediately notify the local police agency of the registration plate number, the public vehicle identification number (if available), and the vehicle's make, model, and color. Property owners who remove vehicles under this authority incur no civil liability to the vehicle owner.

Process To Claim an Abandoned Vehicle in Vermont

Understanding the Abandoned Vehicle Process

Vermont's abandoned vehicle process does not provide for direct public auction or direct ownership transfer to the possessor. Rather, title transfers to the holder of a Certificate of Abandoned Motor Vehicle issued by the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles. This certificate is issued only after the Department exhausts efforts to locate and notify the registered owner and any lienholder, and only after the applicable statutory waiting periods have expired. The process protects the interests of prior owners and lienholders by providing formal notice and an opportunity to reclaim the vehicle within specified timeframes.

Report the Unclaimed Vehicle

Within 90 days after removal of the abandoned vehicle, the towing service that removed the vehicle must apply to the Department of Motor Vehicles for an abandoned motor vehicle certification using Form VN-012. The certification form must indicate the date of removal, make, color, model, and location where the vehicle was found, as well as the name, address, and telephone number of the towing service. The form must also include a certification of the public vehicle identification number, prepared by a law enforcement officer, a licensed dealer, or an inspection station designated by the Vermont DMV Commissioner.

Property owners who remove vehicles from private property must include in their submission a letter providing information on how possession of the vehicle was obtained, and the owner's name and address, if known. The certification triggers the Department's obligation to attempt to identify and notify the registered owner and any lienholder.

Verify Title Records and Owner Information

Upon receipt of the completed abandoned motor vehicle certification form, the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles begins efforts to identify and notify the owner. The Department uses its records to determine the last known registered owner and any lienholder of record. This step does not require action by the entity seeking to claim the vehicle; the Department assumes this responsibility.

Send Required Notices

If the abandoned motor vehicle is identifiable by its registration plates or public vehicle identification number, the Department shall, within 3 business days after receipt of the certification form, send notice by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the last known registered owner and any lienholder. The notice informs the vehicle owner of the vehicle's location and provides a telephone number for additional information. If the certified mail receipt is not returned to the Department within 7 business days, the Commissioner shall send a second notice by first-class mail.

Within 21 days after mailing the second notice, the registered owner or lienholder may reclaim the vehicle by presenting satisfactory evidence of ownership to the Department and paying, or arranging to pay, any towing fees or storage charges permitted by law. If the owner or lienholder fails or refuses to reclaim the vehicle within this 21-day period, the process continues.

Allow the Statutory Waiting Period

The registered owner and lienholder have 21 days from the date the second mailing of the notice is sent to reclaim the vehicle. This statutory waiting period ensures that the prior owner has a reasonable opportunity to recover the vehicle and pay any legitimate towing or storage costs.

Issue of Certificate of Abandoned Motor Vehicle

If the abandoned motor vehicle is not identifiable by registration plates or public vehicle identification number and no owner can be determined within 21 days of receipt of the certification form, or if the vehicle is identifiable but no owner reclaims it within 21 days after the second mailing, the Vermont DMV Commissioner shall issue a Certificate of Abandoned Motor Vehicle with an appropriate title or salvage title.

Transfer of Title and Ownership

Upon issuance of the Certificate of Abandoned Motor Vehicle, title to the vehicle passes to the holder of the certificate, free from all claims of the original owner, lienholders, and all persons claiming through or under them. The Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles issues an appropriate title or salvage title at no charge to the holder of the certificate.

The entity that submitted the abandoned vehicle certification (typically the towing service or property owner) becomes the holder of the certificate and therefore acquires title to the vehicle. This entity may then register and use the vehicle, sell it, or dispose of it as permitted by law.

Obtain Registration or Title Transfer

The holder of a Certificate of Abandoned Motor Vehicle may register the vehicle in Vermont by submitting the Vermont Registration Tax & Title Application (Form VD-119) to the Department of Motor Vehicles along with appropriate registration fees and taxes. The Certificate of Abandoned Motor Vehicle serves as evidence of ownership and ownership history for title purposes.

If the vehicle bears a salvage title brand, the registration and title requirements for salvage or rebuilt vehicles apply, as described below.

Special Rules For Salvage and Rebuilt Vehicles

If the Certificate of Abandoned Motor Vehicle is issued with a salvage title brand, the vehicle may not be registered or operated on Vermont highways in its salvage condition. The vehicle must first be repaired and inspected by the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles or an authorized inspection representative. After a rebuilt vehicle inspection is successfully completed, the Commissioner shall issue a new title bearing the brand "rebuilt."

A rebuilt vehicle inspection includes verifying the vehicle identification number, reviewing bills of sale or titles for major components, and confirming that repairs meet Vermont safety standards. The holder of a salvage title must maintain all receipts and documentation for parts and repairs to present during this inspection. Following a successful inspection, the vehicle may be titled and registered as a rebuilt vehicle.

If a rebuilt vehicle requires a new VIN assignment, this assignment is made by the Commissioner pursuant to 23 V.S.A. § 2003, and the rebuilt title will reflect the reassigned VIN.

Maintain Records

Entities that remove and certify abandoned vehicles should maintain copies of the abandoned vehicle certification form, law enforcement certification of the public vehicle identification number, copies of all notices sent to owners and lienholders (including certified mail receipts), and proof of publication or service if applicable. The Department of Motor Vehicles maintains official records of all certifications and title issuances related to abandoned vehicles for public record and verification purposes.

Vermont Storage Fees And Financial Considerations

Towing and Storage Charges

A towing service may charge a reasonable fee to tow an abandoned motor vehicle from private property. The vehicle owner or the landowner of the private property must pay the towing fee.

In addition to any towing fee, an owner or lienholder reclaiming an abandoned motor vehicle may be charged a storage fee for the costs of storage. However, no storage fee may be charged for any period prior to the date upon which the abandoned motor vehicle certification form is submitted to the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles. This provision protects vehicle owners by preventing the accumulation of storage charges during the Department's investigative and notification period.

When an owner or lienholder reclaims a vehicle, payment or arrangement to pay both towing and storage charges authorized by 23 V.S.A. § 2155 is required.

Reimbursement for Public Property Removals

A towing service may be eligible for reimbursement of up to $250.00 from the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles for abandoned vehicles towed from public property in accordance with 23 V.S.A. § 2158. This reimbursement is paid to the towing service by the Commissioner of Finance and Management upon issuance by the Department of Motor Vehicles of a certificate of abandoned motor vehicle. Towing services seeking reimbursement must submit a completed IRS W-9 form along with the abandoned vehicle certification application.

Reclamation and Cost Responsibility

An owner or lienholder seeking to reclaim an abandoned motor vehicle must present satisfactory evidence of ownership to the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles and pay or make arrangements to pay all towing fees charged by the towing service, storage charges accrued since submission of the certification form, and any charges owed to the landowner on whose property the vehicle was located. The Department does not forgive or waive these charges; they remain the responsibility of the owner or lienholder.

Liability Limitation

Except for intentionally inflicted damage or gross negligence, neither the State of Vermont nor any of its agents or employees is liable to the vehicle owner for damage to the motor vehicle during the period in which the State retains custody.

Contact Information

Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles
120 State Street, Montpelier, VT 05603-0001
Phone: (802) 828-2000
Abandoned Vehicle Office: (802) 828-2053
Official Website: Department of Motor Vehicles