Abandoned vehicles - custodians

Q: How should an abandoned vehicle custodian submit a change of 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.

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?

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 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?

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 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 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?

Contact the law enforcement agency that authorized the removal of the vehicle
Visit the Michigan Legislature's 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.

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?

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 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.

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