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:

• The registered owner
• The legal owner
• Any other persons having interest in the vehicle.

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:

• The registered owner
• The legal owner
• Any other persons having interest in the vehicle.

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). Distribute the REG 462 as follows:

• Give white and pink copies to the towing agent
• Retain the yellow copy for your records.

If there is no DMV record, the public agency may issue a REG 462 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:

• REG 462-white copy (lienholder completes Section B)
• Copy of the written notification

Lienholder notification:

• REG 462-white copy (lienholder completes Section B)
• REG 684B
• REG 686B
• Certified mailing receipts.

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:

• REG 42
• REG 462-white copy

AND

• REG 684B
• REG 686B
• Certified mailing receipts

OR

• A copy of the written notification from the public agency.