28-4882. Junk vehicle; disposition

A. If a vehicle has been reported abandoned under section 28-4838, the person making the report may request that the vehicle be processed as a junk vehicle. An agent of the department shall inspect the vehicle to determine if the vehicle is a junk vehicle.

B. On making a determination that the vehicle is a junk vehicle, the director shall cause a search of department records to be made, or if a junk vehicle is registered in another state, make inquiry of the vehicle registration agency in that state, to ascertain the name and address of the owner and lienholder, if any, or any other person identified on the department's record.

C. On receipt of information disclosing the name and address of the owner and lienholder, if any, or any other person identified on the department's record who may have an interest in the vehicle, the director shall give notice to all interested persons of the director's intention to allow the disposition of the junk vehicle as prescribed by this section. The director shall give the notice by mail within five days for a vehicle with a record in this state or within thirty days for all other vehicles.

D. If the records of the department or out of state jurisdiction do not disclose the name and address of the owner and lienholder, if any, or any other person who is identified on the department's record and who may have an interest in the vehicle, or if the notice is returned marked unclaimed or addressee unknown, the department shall publish the notice of the intention of the director to allow the disposition of the junk vehicle as prescribed by this article once in a newspaper of general circulation in the county in which the junk vehicle was found. The published notice shall include a statement that the department will make available to the public a complete vehicle description of junk vehicles.

E. If the vehicle is unclaimed at the expiration of thirty days after the date placed on the notification mailed by the department or within ten days of the publication as provided in subsections C and D of this section, the director shall determine if the vehicle is a stolen vehicle. On receiving notification that the vehicle has not been reported stolen, the director shall issue written authorization to the owner of the property authorizing the owner of the property or a licensed automotive recycler to dispose of the junk vehicle pursuant to section 28-4883.