Abandoned vehicles - custodians

Q: As an abandoned vehicle custodian how do I change my address or telephone number?

Complete a Custodian Consent Form . Include ‘Change of Address or Phone Number’ on the form. Email completed form to abandonedvehicles@michigan.gov . or mail to address on the form. Please note: Vehicle includes motor vehicles, ORVs, and snowmobiles. Vessel includes watercraft.

Q: How do I become an abandoned vehicle custodian?

Complete and submit a Custodian Consent form . Email completed form to abandonedvehicles@michigan.gov or mail to address on the form. Please note: Vehicle includes motor vehicles, ORVs, and snowmobiles. Vessel includes watercraft.

Q: How can I as an abandoned vehicle custodian get a duplicate or replacement TR-52L Bill of Sale?

Contact law enforcement. Complete and submit a TR-52L form . 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.

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 do I 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.

Do I notify law enforcement when I tow an abandoned 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.

As an abandoned vehicle custodian do I 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.

Do I 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.

As an abandoned vehicle custodian how do I change my address or telephone number?

Complete a Custodian Consent Form.
Include ‘Change of Address or Phone Number’ on the form.
Email completed form to abandonedvehicles@michigan.gov. or mail to address on the form.

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

How do I become an abandoned vehicle custodian?

Complete and submit a Custodian Consent form.
Email completed form to abandonedvehicles@michigan.gov or mail to address on the form.

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

After I register as an abandoned vehicle 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 I as an abandoned vehicle custodian get a duplicate or replacement TR-52L Bill of Sale?

Contact law enforcement.
Complete and submit a TR-52L form.
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 do I as an abandoned vehicle custodian report a disposition with no internet or computer?

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

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

How do I as an abandoned vehicle custodian report a disposition?

Report the disposition online at Michigan Department of State e-Services.
Report the disposition to law enforcement that authorized the vehicle removal.

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

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

Visit the Michigan Legislature website MCL - Section 257.252a - Michigan Legislature for details.
Neither Michigan law nor the Secretary of State set the storage and customary fees.
Request a court hearing on reasonableness of fees AV Court Petition DC90 Form.

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

When should a vehicle that was involved in a crash, or stolen be reported 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.

Do I as an abandoned vehicle custodian need to transfer a vehicle into my tow company's name?

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

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

How do I as an abandoned vehicle custodian hold a public auction?

Contact the law enforcement agency that authorized the removal of the vehicle
Visit the Michigan Legislatures website MCL - Section 257.252g - Michigan Legislature, MCL - Section 324.80130k - Michigan Legislature and MCL - Section 324.81151 - Michigan Legislature for details.

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

I need an abandoned vehicle towed from my 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 dealers sell abandoned vehicle parts?

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 do 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 procedures should an abandoned vehicle custodian follow when a vehicle sells for more or less money than the applicable fees?

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.

Why is my vehicle not on the abandoned vehicle search 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 does the EFT transfer get taken from my custodian account?

EFT funds transfer occurs within 36-48 hours from time of entry of the vehicle disposition.
Visit Michigan Department of State e-Services to enter disposition.

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

When do abandoned vehicle custodians collect the $40 abandoned 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 the 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.

Do abandoned vehicle custodians have 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.

How do I...

How do I...

Abandoned vehicles - custodians

Services

Resources

Translation and interpreter services

MI Voter Information Center