§ 2154. Identification and reclamation of abandoned motor vehicles

(a) The Department shall make a reasonable attempt to locate an owner of an abandoned motor vehicle.

(1) If the abandoned motor vehicle is not identifiable by its registration plates or public vehicle identification number, and if no owner can be determined within 21 days of the date of receipt of the abandoned motor vehicle certification form, the Commissioner shall issue a certificate of abandoned motor vehicle with an appropriate title or salvage title.

(2) If the abandoned motor vehicle is identifiable by its registration plates or public vehicle identification number, the Department shall, within three business days of receipt of the form for certification of abandoned motor vehicle, send notice to the last known registered owner and lienholder of the vehicle. The notice shall be sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, and shall advise the last known registered owner of the motor vehicle's location and a telephone number where additional information about the motor vehicle may be obtained. If the receipt is not returned to the Department within seven business days, the Commissioner shall, by first class mail, send a second notice. Within 21 days of sending the second notice, the last known registered owner or lienholder may reclaim and retrieve the motor vehicle by presenting to the Department satisfactory evidence of ownership, and paying or arranging to pay any fees or charges authorized by section 2155 of this title. If the last known registered owner or lienholder fails or refuses to reclaim the motor vehicle within 21 days of the second mailing, the Commissioner shall issue a certificate of abandoned motor vehicle with appropriate title or salvage title.

(b) An owner or lienholder may reclaim an abandoned motor vehicle by presenting to the Department satisfactory evidence of ownership, and paying or reimbursing, or making arrangements to pay or reimburse, the towing agency, the Department, or the landowner, as the case may be, any towing fee or storage charges permitted under section 2155 of this title. (Added 2003, No. 101 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 2015, No. 158 (Adj. Sess.), § 77.)