How To Claim an Abandoned Vehicle in Connecticut

Claiming an abandoned vehicle in Connecticut is a structured legal process established by Connecticut General Statutes § 14-150 and administered by the Department of Motor Vehicles. The process requires compliance with statutory timelines for notification, storage holding periods, public sale or disposal, and title transfer. Adherence to these procedures protects the interests of the vehicle possessor, the original vehicle owner, and all lienholders of record.

What Qualifies as an Abandoned Vehicle in Connecticut

Connecticut General Statutes § 14-150 recognizes abandoned and unregistered motor vehicles as vehicles requiring special handling and potential disposition. A motor vehicle is considered abandoned or unregistered when discovered either within or without any highway of the state and meets any of the following conditions:

• A motor vehicle left abandoned on or near any highway or public way
• A motor vehicle left on private property without the owner's consent
• A motor vehicle without valid registration marker plates
• A motor vehicle determined to be a menace to traffic, public health, or public safety

The law also recognizes a special category of vehicles where title may vest immediately in a municipality. A vehicle with no registration plates or invalid plates may have the title immediately vested in the municipality if the vehicle is in the municipality's custody and meets both conditions: the market value does not exceed $500, and the motor vehicle is so vandalized, damaged, or in disrepair as to be unusable as a motor vehicle.

Process To Claim an Abandoned Vehicle in Connecticut

Understanding the Abandoned Vehicle Process

Connecticut's system recognizes two primary paths for the disposition of abandoned vehicles, depending on the vehicle's market value and condition. For vehicles with a current market value of $1,500 or less, the holding and sale period is shorter. For vehicles valued at more than $1,500, a longer holding period and a public auction are required. Possession of an abandoned vehicle does not confer ownership; instead, the vehicle's possessor must follow statutory procedures to obtain title transfer or to authorize a sale.

Initial Discovery and Notification Sticker

Upon discovery of any motor vehicle apparently abandoned or without proper registration, an inspector of the Department of Motor Vehicles, officer of an organized police department, enforcement officer of a parking authority, or state police officer shall affix a notification sticker to the vehicle in a readily visible manner. The notification sticker must contain the date and time affixed, a statement that the vehicle will be taken into custody if not removed within twenty-four hours, the location and telephone number for additional information, and the identity of the affixing officer.

Take Vehicle Into Custody and Provide Written Notice

If the motor vehicle is not removed within the twenty-four-hour period, the affixing department or parking authority shall take the vehicle into custody and store it in a suitable place. Within forty-eight hours of custody, written notice by certified mail, return receipt requested, must be sent to the owner and any lienholders of record as they appear on Department of Motor Vehicles records. The notice shall state that the vehicle has been taken into custody and stored, the storage location, and the owner's right to contest the taking by filing an application with a hearing officer within 10 days, using a form prescribed by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles.

The notice shall also state that, unless the title has vested in the municipality under the special low-value condition, the vehicle may be sold after fifteen days (if the market value does not exceed $1,500) or forty-five days (if the market value exceeds $1,500).

Prepare and File Notice of Intent to Sell

The vehicle possessor shall prepare a notice of intent to sell that includes the make, model, and vehicle identification number, the date the motor vehicle was left for storage and by whom, and the registration number if plates are on the vehicle. This notice must be sent to the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, the owner of such motor vehicle, and any known lienholder of record by certified mail, return receipt requested.

The notice of intent to sell shall be accompanied by a statement indicating the date, time, and place of the sale and the manner of sale (either private sale for vehicles valued at $1,500 or less, or public auction for vehicles exceeding $1,500). The filing fee for notice of intent and accompanying statement is $10.

Allow the Statutory Holding Period

For vehicles with a market value not exceeding $1,500, the vehicle must be held for a minimum of fifteen days from the date the notice of intent to sell was mailed before any sale may occur. For vehicles with a market value exceeding $1,500, the vehicle must be held for a minimum of forty-five days from the date the notice of intent to sell was mailed.

During these holding periods, the owner of the motor vehicle retains the right to retrieve the vehicle upon payment of towing and storage charges if no hearing application has been filed or if the owner is not contesting the custody determination.

Conduct Sale: Private or Public Auction

For vehicles with a market value not exceeding $1,500, the vehicle possessor may conduct a private sale not less than five business days after the mailing date of the notice of intent to sell.

For vehicles with a market value exceeding $1,500, the vehicle shall be sold at public auction for cash at the vehicle possessor's place of business, not less than five business days after the mailing date of the notice of intent to sell. At a public auction, the vehicle possessor may set a minimum bid equal to the amount of towing and storage charges and obligations with respect to the tow and storage of the vehicle. If no such minimum bid is received at auction, the vehicle possessor may sell or dispose of the vehicle by other lawful means.

Provide Affidavit of Compliance and Complete Sale Documents

At the time of sale, the vehicle possessor shall provide the purchaser with the affidavit of compliance issued by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles. The vehicle possessor shall also report the sale price, storage, towing, and repair charges, if any; the buyer's name and address; identification of the vehicle; and such other information as may be required in regulations adopted by the Commissioner to the Department of Motor Vehicles within fifteen days after the sale of the motor vehicle.

Report Sale and Handle Proceeds

The vehicle possessor must complete and file the Abandoned Motor Vehicle Sale Notification form (H-110) within fifteen days of the sale. A copy of the completed Form H-110, along with proof of sale, must be sent to the email address specified on the form.

The proceeds of the sale, after deducting the amount due the vehicle possessor for towing and storage charges and all expenses connected with the sale, shall be paid to the owner of the motor vehicle or such owner's legal representatives if claimed within one year from the date of sale. If the balance is not claimed within one year, it shall escheat to the state of Connecticut.

Handle Disputed Takings and Hearing Rights

If the owner of the motor vehicle or lienholder files an application for a hearing within ten days, the chief executive officer of the town shall ensure a hearing is held before a hearing officer to determine whether the towing and custody of the motor vehicle were authorized. If it is determined at the hearing that the vehicle was not a menace to traffic, abandoned, or unregistered, as the case may be, the owner shall not be liable for expenses, the lien provisions shall not apply, and the affixing department shall be liable for all expenses incurred.

Storage Limitation for Vehicles Sold at Public Auction

The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may limit the number of days that a vehicle possessor may charge for storage of a motor vehicle prior to sale, except for a thirty-day period immediately following placement in storage (for vehicles valued at $1,500 or less) or a sixty-day period immediately following placement in storage (for vehicles valued above $1,500), unless the vehicle possessor provides evidence of reliance upon owner statements or good-faith negotiation efforts.

Special Procedure for Low-Value Vehicles

For vehicles with no valid registration marker plates, valued at $500 or less, and so vandalized or damaged as to be unusable, the title shall immediately vest in the municipality. The municipality shall notify the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles within forty-eight hours and, thereafter, immediately sell or transfer the vehicle to a recycler licensed under Connecticut law. The vehicle possessor shall give written notice by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the owner if known, stating that the vehicle has been sold or disposed of. Proceeds in excess of towing and disposal expenses and fines shall be paid to the owner if claimed within one year; unclaimed balances escheat to the municipality.

Obtain Certificate of Title for Purchased Vehicle

The purchaser of an abandoned vehicle at sale must obtain a certificate of title from the Department of Motor Vehicles. The purchaser shall provide the affidavit of compliance provided at sale, the H-110 Abandoned Motor Vehicle Sale Notification form, and proof of purchase (such as a bill of sale or receipt) to the Department of Motor Vehicles. The title shall be issued in the purchaser's name upon approval.

Maintain Records

Records relating to the abandoned vehicle, including the notice of intent to sell, certified mail receipts, sale documentation, and the affidavit of compliance, should be retained in accordance with state record retention requirements and made available for inspection by the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Connecticut Storage Fees And Financial Considerations

Storage and Towing Charges

The vehicle's possessor acquires a lien on an abandoned motor vehicle for towing or storage charges incurred under state law. These charges are recoverable from the sale proceeds. Towing and storage charges are the only charges that may be deducted from sale proceeds, absent other documented obligations incurred by an officer who placed the motor vehicle in storage.

Limitations on Storage Charge Duration

The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may limit the number of days that a vehicle possessor may charge for storage of a motor vehicle prior to sale. Generally, the possessor may charge storage for up to thirty days prior to sale for vehicles valued at $1,500 or less and up to sixty days prior to sale for vehicles valued above $1,500. The commissioner may further limit storage charges unless the vehicle possessor demonstrates reliance upon owner statements or representations or documents good-faith negotiation efforts to return the vehicle to the owner or lienholder.

Hearing Officer Decision on Expenses

If a hearing officer determines that the vehicle was not a menace to traffic, was not abandoned, and was not unregistered, the owner shall not be liable for towing and storage expenses incurred, and the affixing department shall be liable for all such expenses. If the owner paid such expenses prior to the hearing determination, the affixing department shall be liable to the owner for repayment.

Sale Proceeds and Unclaimed Balances

Sale proceeds after deduction of towing, storage, repair, and other expenses related to placing and maintaining the vehicle in storage shall be held for the owner for one year from the date of sale. If not claimed within that period, the unclaimed balance shall escheat to the state of Connecticut. For vehicles with title vesting in the municipality under the low-value special provision, unclaimed balances escheat to the municipality.

Contact Information

Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles
60 State Street, Wethersfield, CT 06161
Phone: (860) 263-5700
Official Website: Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles