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Abandoned vehicles - custodians

Abandoned vehicles - custodians

  • Are abandoned vehicle custodians required to have a CVED (formerly MPSC) number?

    • The Secretary of State does not require a CVED number (formerly MPSC number). 
    • A CVED number may be required by local municipalities or law enforcement agencies. 
    • Contact the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division at 517-284-3250 for details. 

    Please note: Vehicle includes motor vehicles, ORVs, and snowmobiles. Vessel includes watercraft.

  • How should an abandoned vehicle custodian enter an abandoned vehicle or vessel's disposition?

    Visit Michigan Department of State e-Services to enter a disposition.  

    Please note: Vehicle includes motor vehicles, ORVs, and snowmobiles. Vessel includes watercraft.

     

  • Should an abandoned vehicle custodian notify law enforcement when towing an abandoned vehicle?

    • Before removing the vehicle or vessel from private property, the towing agency shall provide notice by telephone, or otherwise, to a police agency having jurisdiction over the vehicle that the vehicle is being removed.
    • Visit the Michigan Legislature website MCL - Section 257.252a - Michigan Legislature for details.

    Please note: Vehicle includes motor vehicles, ORVs, and snowmobiles. Vessel includes watercraft.

  • Does an abandoned vehicle custodian need an EFT account?

    EFT accounts are not required. Money order, credit or debit cards are accepted. 

    Please note: Vehicle includes motor vehicles, ORVs, and snowmobiles. Vessel includes watercraft.

  • Does an abandoned vehicle custodian need a dealer license to sell abandoned vehicles?

    Visit the Michigan Legislature website at Section 257.11 of the Michigan Vehicle Code and Section 324.80102a for details. 

    Please note: Vehicle includes motor vehicles, ORVs, and snowmobiles. Vessel includes watercraft.

  • How should an abandoned vehicle custodian submit a change of address or telephone number?

    Please note: Vehicle includes motor vehicles, ORVs, and snowmobiles. Vessel includes watercraft.

  • How do I become an abandoned vehicle custodian?

    Please note: Vehicle includes motor vehicles, ORVs, and snowmobiles. Vessel includes watercraft.

  • After I register as a custodian, what’s the next step?

    • The Secretary of State will send two letters, an account letter and an authorization letter.  
    • After receiving the letters register your custodian account online. Follow the procedures on the authorization letter to complete account registration. 
    • Contact the Abandoned Vehicle Help Desk at 517-636-5234 for details. 

    Please note: Vehicle includes motor vehicles, ORVs, and snowmobiles. Vessel includes watercraft.

     

     

  • How can an abandoned vehicle custodian get a duplicate or replacement TR-52L Bill of Sale?

    • Contact law enforcement to request a duplicate TR-52L.
    • Complete and submit a TR-52LR form from Michigan Department of State.
    • Email completed TR-52LR form to AbandonedVehicles@Michigan.gov or mail to address on the form.
    • Contact the Abandoned Vehicle Help Desk at 517-636-5234 for details.

    Please note: Vehicle includes motor vehicles, ORVs, and snowmobiles. Vessel includes watercraft.

  • How can an abandoned vehicle custodian report a disposition without internet or a computer?

    Public computers with free Internet access are found in public libraries.

    Please note: Vehicle includes motor vehicles, ORVs, and snowmobiles. Vessel includes watercraft.

  • How does an abandoned vehicle custodian report a disposition?

    Please note: Vehicle includes motor vehicles, ORVs, and snowmobiles. Vessel includes watercraft.

  • How much can an abandoned vehicle custodian charge for towing and storage fees?

    Please note: Vehicle includes motor vehicles, ORVs, and snowmobiles. Vessel includes watercraft.

     

  • When should an abandoned vehicle custodian report a crashed or stolen vehicle as abandoned to law enforcement?

    Visit the Michigan Legislature website MCL - Section 257.252d - Michigan Legislature for details. 

    Please note: Vehicle includes motor vehicles, ORVs, and snowmobiles. Vessel includes watercraft.

  • Does an abandoned vehicle custodian need to transfer a vehicle into their tow company's name?

    Visit the Michigan Legislature website MCL - Section 257.252g - Michigan Legislature for details. 

    Please note: Vehicle includes motor vehicles, ORVs, and snowmobiles. Vessel includes watercraft.

  • What steps are required if an abandoned vehicle custodian wants to hold a public auction?

    Please note: Vehicle includes motor vehicles, ORVs, and snowmobiles. Vessel includes watercraft.

  • What should an abandoned vehicle custodian do if asked to remove a vehicle from private property?

    Visit the Michigan Legislature website MCL - Section 257.252k - Michigan Legislature, MCL - Section 324.80130o - Michigan Legislature and MCL - Section 257.252d - Michigan Legislature for details. 

    Please note: Vehicle includes motor vehicles, ORVs, and snowmobiles. Vessel includes watercraft.

  • Can abandoned vehicle custodians sell abandoned vehicle parts without a dealer license?

    Visit the Michigan Legislative website MCL - Section 257.248j - Michigan Legislature and MCL - Section 324.80102 - Michigan Legislature for details. 

    Please note: Vehicle includes motor vehicles, ORVs, and snowmobiles. Vessel includes watercraft.

  • What does an abandoned vehicle custodian do?

    Visit the Michigan Legislatures website MCL - Section 257.252a - Michigan Legislature and MCL - Section 257.252g - Michigan Legislature for details. 

    Please note: Vehicle includes motor vehicles, ORVs, and snowmobiles. Vessel includes watercraft.

  • What happens if the selling price of an abandoned vehicle does not equal the applicable fees due?

    Visit the Michigan Legislature website MCL - Section 257.252g - Michigan Legislature for details. 

    Please note: Vehicle includes motor vehicles, ORVs, and snowmobiles. Vessel includes watercraft.

  • What happens to the abandoned vehicle fee if the vehicle VIN is not on the abandoned vehicle website?

    • Contact law enforcement to notify the agency of the vehicle disposition.
    • Contact the Abandoned Vehicle Help Desk at 517-636-5234 for details.

    Please note: Vehicle includes motor vehicles, ORVs, and snowmobiles. Vessel includes watercraft.

     

  • When is an EFT transfer deducted from an abandoned vehicle custodian's account?

    Please note: Vehicle includes motor vehicles, ORVs, and snowmobiles. Vessel includes watercraft.

     

  • When do abandoned vehicle custodians collect the $40 abandoned vehicle fee?

    • Visit the Michigan Legislature website MCL - Section 257.252a - Michigan Legislature for details.
    • Do not remit the $25 fee if the purchase price of vehicle does not cover all applicable fees. 
    • Contact the Abandoned Vehicle Help Desk at 517-636-5234 for details. 

    Please note: Vehicle includes motor vehicles, ORVs, and snowmobiles. Vessel includes watercraft.

     

  • Where can an abandoned vehicle custodian get a duplicate or replacement abandoned vehicle notice TR-52EP?

    Complete the Record Request Form: BDVR-154 Record Request for Non-Account & Individual

    Please note: Vehicle includes motor vehicles, ORVs, and snowmobiles. Vessel includes watercraft.

  • What happens if an abandoned vehicle does not sell at auction?

    Visit the Michigan Legislature website MCL - Section 257.252g - Michigan Legislature for details.  

    Please note: Vehicle includes motor vehicles, ORVs, and snowmobiles. Vessel includes watercraft.

  • Who can become a registered abandoned vehicle custodian?

    • A towing agency or legal entity that tows abandoned vehicles for law enforcement. 
    • A towing agency or legal entity that tows PPI’s (Personal Property Impounds).   

    Please note: Vehicle includes motor vehicles, ORVs, and snowmobiles. Vessel includes watercraft.

  • Are abandoned vehicle custodians required to let the vehicle owner get their belongings out of their vehicle?

    Visit the Michigan Legislature website MCL - Section 257.252a - Michigan Legislature for details. 

    Please note: Vehicle includes motor vehicles, ORVs, and snowmobiles. Vessel includes watercraft.

  • Who has jurisdiction over an abandoned vehicle?

    Visit the Michigan Legislature website MCL - Section 257.252e - Michigan Legislature for details. 

    Please note: Vehicle includes motor vehicles, ORVs, and snowmobiles. Vessel includes watercraft.