How To Claim an Abandoned Vehicle in Pennsylvania

Claiming an abandoned vehicle in Pennsylvania follows a legal process established under Title 75 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes. The process varies depending on whether the vehicle is located on public property (where law enforcement and a licensed salvor manage removal) or private property (where the property owner may take action). Proper compliance with notice, determination, storage, and title requirements is essential to establish legal ownership or obtain proceeds from a public sale.

What Qualifies As An Abandoned Vehicle In Pennsylvania

Under Section 102 of Title 75 of the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code, a vehicle is presumed abandoned under any of the following circumstances:

Physically inoperable and left unattended on a highway or public property for more than 48 hours. This includes vehicles left on road shoulders, other publicly accessible areas, or other areas.
Left illegally on a highway or public property for more than 48 hours. Vehicles remaining beyond the permitted parking period meet this definition regardless of operational condition.
Left unattended on a highway or public property for more than 48 hours without a valid registration plate, current certificate of inspection, or ascertainable vehicle identification number. The absence of all three items together establishes abandonment under this category.
Left unattended on private property without the consent of the owner or person in control of that property for more than 24 hours. This applies to vehicles trespassing on residential or commercial land.
Remained on the private property of a salvor for 20 days. Once a licensed salvor takes possession of a vehicle, a 20-day retention period defines abandonment status.

Vehicles used in highway construction or utility maintenance, when left in a manner that does not interfere with traffic, do not qualify as abandoned despite meeting other criteria.

Process To Claim An Abandoned Vehicle In Pennsylvania

Understanding The Abandoned Vehicle Process

Pennsylvania's abandoned vehicle process operates through different channels depending on vehicle location and status. For vehicles on public roadways, law enforcement and licensed salvors direct the initial removal and management. For vehicles on private property, the property owner may pursue removal through a law enforcement request, personal removal with recovery action against the owner, or court proceedings to obtain ownership. In most cases involving law enforcement or salvors, vehicles with value are sold at public auction after proper notice and waiting periods. Some vehicles classified as salvage or non-repairable may be disposed of through different means. Possession of an abandoned vehicle does not automatically convey ownership; title must be obtained through a court order, purchase at public auction with proper documentation, or application to PennDOT.

Report The Unclaimed Vehicle

For a vehicle on a public roadway or other public property, notify law enforcement that the vehicle is abandoned. Law enforcement will make the initial determination of abandonment status. If a vehicle is on private property without the property owner's consent, the property owner may request that law enforcement declare the vehicle abandoned and direct a licensed salvor to take possession of it. Any individual or entity (including a licensed salvor) taking possession of an abandoned vehicle must submit a completed Form MV-952 ("Abandoned Vehicle Information Report") to PennDOT within 48 hours of taking possession of the vehicle. This form must identify the vehicle by make, model, vehicle identification number, registration plate number (if ascertainable), and title number (if known).

Determine Vehicle Status

Within the abandoned vehicle report process, law enforcement and any licensed salvor or other person with possession of the vehicle must determine the vehicle's status. The vehicle is classified into one of three categories: a value vehicle, a salvage vehicle, or a non-repairable vehicle. This determination is based on the vehicle's condition and estimated worth. A vehicle with value retains enough utility or resale potential to justify public sale. A salvage vehicle is inoperable or substantially damaged but may be repaired or parted out. A nonrepairable vehicle has no value except as scrap or parts and cannot be repaired for safe highway operation. This determination affects whether the vehicle proceeds to public auction or is disposed of through other means.

Provide Notice To Owner And Lienholder

Once an abandoned vehicle determination has been made and the vehicle is in the possession of a salvor or other entity, notice must be sent to the registered owner and any lienholder listed in PennDOT records. Under Section 7305 of Title 75, the notice shall describe the vehicle, explain that it has been declared abandoned, state the location where it is being held, and inform the owner or lienholder of their right to reclaim the vehicle within 30 days after the date the notice was mailed. The owner or lienholder may reclaim the vehicle without payment of any fees during the first 48 hours after law enforcement or the salvor takes possession of the vehicle. After the initial 48-hour period, the owner or lienholder may reclaim the vehicle by paying all towing and storage charges, as well as any applicable costs. This notice may be provided by personal service, certified mail, or, if the owner or lienholder cannot be identified, by publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the county where the vehicle is located.

Allow The Statutory Waiting Period And Hearing Opportunity

Under Section 7305 of Title 75, the owner or lienholder has a prescribed time period within which to reclaim the vehicle. The owner or lienholder is entitled to a prompt hearing if they request one within 30 days of receiving notice to contest whether the vehicle was actually abandoned or other aspects of the abandonment determination. If the vehicle is not reclaimed within the 30-day notice period and no successful hearing challenge is mounted, the vehicle may proceed to the next step of disposition.

File For Authorization Of Disposal Or Public Auction

If the abandoned vehicle has been determined to have value, under Section 7308 of Title 75, a salvor or other entity holding the vehicle may apply to PennDOT for authorization to conduct a public sale. PennDOT will authorize the public auction upon receipt of the application and verification that proper notice requirements have been met, including confirmation that the owner and any lienholder were notified and the 30-day reclaim period has expired.

Conduct The Public Auction

If an abandoned vehicle of value has not been reclaimed, it shall be sold at public auction. The auction must be open to the public and conducted under conditions ensuring fair and transparent bidding. The vehicle is sold to the highest bidder. Any member of the public, including the salvor or possessor, may bid. The sale must be conducted in compliance with all applicable state procedures for public sales.

Complete Bill Of Sale And Title Documents

After the public auction, the salvor or authorized entity must provide the purchaser with a bill of sale showing the vehicle description, sale price, and date of sale. Under Section 7308(b) of Title 75, the purchaser receives evidence of ownership through the sales receipt and bill of sale from the salvor. This documentation is essential for the purchaser to obtain a title from PennDOT.

Apply For Title

The purchaser of an abandoned vehicle sold at public auction must apply for a Pennsylvania Certificate of Title. The purchaser should contact PennDOT or an authorized PennDOT agent to determine the specific form and procedure for obtaining an "abandoned branded title." The application must be completed and submitted within a reasonable time of purchase. Documentation required will include the bill of sale from the abandoned vehicle sale, the receipt from the public auction, and payment of the applicable title fee and sales tax. PennDOT will issue the Certificate of Title in the name of the purchaser once the application and all supporting documents are verified and fees are paid.

Court Order Alternative For Private Property Claims

If a property owner seeks to obtain title to an abandoned vehicle left on their private property without using the public auction process, the property owner may file suit in the Court of Common Pleas requesting an order awarding ownership of the vehicle to the landowner and extinguishing the right, title, and interest of all other persons. Under Sections 1114(a) and 1116(b) of Title 75, PennDOT will accept a certified copy of such a court order as evidence of ownership in lieu of a certificate of title. To obtain a certificate of title through this method, the property owner must submit the certified court order, a completed application form as specified by PennDOT, proof of payment of applicable title fees and taxes, and evidence that reasonable notice of the court proceeding was provided to the vehicle owner and any lienholder. The sample court order provided in PennDOT guidance must award title to the applicant and state that the Department of Transportation may accept the order as evidence of ownership in lieu of a certificate of title.

Maintain Records

All documentation related to the abandoned vehicle claim or purchase must be retained. For salvors and other entities involved in public auction sales, records including the original abandoned vehicle report (Form MV-952), the notice sent to owner and lienholder, documentation of the determination of vehicle status, auction results, the bill of sale, and all communications with PennDOT should be maintained for a minimum of 3 years from the date of sale.

Pennsylvania Storage Fees And Financial Considerations

Removal And Storage Cost Recovery

When a salvor or other entity removes an abandoned vehicle, towing and storage costs accrue. Under Section 7305 of Title 75, the owner or lienholder may reclaim the vehicle within 48 hours of law enforcement or salvor possession without payment of any towing, storage, or other fees. After this 48-hour window, the owner or lienholder may still reclaim the vehicle but must pay all towing and storage charges, a $50 reclaim fee (of which $25 is transmitted to PennDOT), and any other costs associated with removal and holding. Towing and recovery charges are governed by state law and regulatory requirements.

Application Of Sale Proceeds

When an abandoned vehicle with value is sold at public auction, proceeds are applied in the following order: first, reimbursement to the salvor for towing, storage, the $50 reclaim fee authorized under Section 7306, and related costs; second, payment to PennDOT for any administrative costs; and third, any remaining balance is paid to the State Treasurer for deposit in the Motor License Fund. The salvor must provide the purchaser with a sales receipt, which the purchaser must present when applying for title through PennDOT.

Salvage And Nonrepairable Vehicles

Vehicles determined to be salvage or non-repairable vehicles are not sold at public auction. Instead, under Section 7309 of Title 75, the salvor or possessor must apply to PennDOT for issuance of a certificate of salvage or nonrepairable vehicle status. These vehicles are typically disposed of for parts or scrap rather than resale to the general public.

Contact Information

Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) – Bureau of Motor Vehicles
1101 South Front Street, Harrisburg, PA 17104
Phone: (717) 787-2937
Official Website: PennDOT Motor Vehicle Services