How To Claim an Abandoned Vehicle in Minnesota

Claiming an abandoned vehicle in Minnesota requires adherence to statutory procedures established under Minnesota Statutes Chapter 168B and administered by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety and local units of government. The process distinguishes between vehicles on public property, those on private property, and vehicles held by impound lot operators. Compliance with notice, waiting period, and title transfer requirements ensures a lawful transition of ownership and protects the interests of original owners, lienholders, and acquiring parties.

What Qualifies as an Abandoned Vehicle in Minnesota

Minnesota law defines an abandoned vehicle as a motor vehicle meeting specific statutory criteria. The classification depends on the vehicle's condition and location, as well as the duration it remains unattended or unclaimed.

An abandoned vehicle is a motor vehicle that:

Has remained illegally for a period exceeding 48 hours on any property owned or controlled by a unit of government, or more than 4 hours if the property is properly posted with notice;
Has remained on private property for a period determined by subdivision 2 of 168B.04 without the consent of the person in control of the property; and
Lacks vital component parts such as the motor, drive train, or wheels, or is in an inoperable condition such that it has no substantial potential for further use consistent with its usual functions, unless it is kept in an enclosed garage or storage building.

Classic cars and pioneer cars, as defined under Minnesota law, are excluded from the abandoned vehicle classification. Vehicles on the premises of licensed junk yards, automobile graveyards, or properties maintained in accordance with local zoning regulations are not considered abandoned. Additionally, vehicles being held for storage by agreement or held under police authority, writ, or court order are not processed as abandoned while such holds or orders remain in effect.

Process To Claim an Abandoned Vehicle in Minnesota

Understanding the Abandoned Vehicle Process

Minnesota's statutory framework places responsibility for impounding and disposing of abandoned vehicles with units of government and authorized impound lot operators. Private parties do not have direct authority to claim ownership of an abandoned vehicle. Instead, the vehicle enters an impound lot system where it is inventoried, held for owner notification and reclamation, and subsequently sold at auction if unclaimed after statutory waiting periods. Any person, including the party in possession of the vehicle or who caused its impoundment, may participate as a bidder at the public auction. Title passes to the purchaser through a receipt issued by the impound lot operator, which is prescribed by the registrar of motor vehicles and serves as sufficient evidence of ownership for purposes of title transfer and vehicle disposal.

Report or Cause Removal of the Abandoned Vehicle

If an abandoned vehicle is located on private property, the property owner or authorized agent must contact an authorized towing service to remove the vehicle. Under Minnesota Statutes Section 168B.04, Subdivision 2(b)(2), removal timelines vary by property type:

For vehicles on private residential property or single-family or duplex residential property, removal may occur immediately upon discovery
For vehicles on private nonresidential property that is properly posted, removal may occur immediately; if not posted, removal may occur after 24 hours
For vehicles on private property of a vehicle service facility (such as a repair shop), removal may occur 5 business days after the property owner provides certified mail notice to the vehicle owner under Section 168B.055, identifying the registration plate number, vehicle identification number, and vehicle make, model, and color

If an abandoned vehicle is on public property owned or controlled by a unit of government, Section 168B.04, Subdivision 1 authorizes the unit of government or a peace officer to take the vehicle into custody and impound it. Under Section 168B.04, Subdivision 2(b)(1), vehicles on highways may be towed after being properly tagged by a peace officer, and vehicles creating an immediate accident or traffic hazard may be removed immediately as determined by law enforcement. Section 168B.035, Subdivision 2(a) requires that a peace officer or parking enforcement officer prepare a written towing report describing the motor vehicle and reasons for towing.

Once the vehicle is towed and delivered to an impound lot, the entity taking the vehicle into custody is responsible for the next procedural steps as established under Minnesota Statutes Chapter 168B.

Provide Written Notice to Owner and Lienholders

When an impounded vehicle is taken into custody, written notice of the taking must be given within 5 days, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays, to the registered vehicle owner and any lienholders identified in available records. The notice must include the date and place of the taking, the year, make, model, and vehicle identification number of the vehicle if reasonably obtainable, and the place where the vehicle is being held. The notice must also inform the owner and lienholders of their right to reclaim the vehicle by paying all towing, recovery, storage, and accident site cleanup charges within the applicable waiting period.

The notice shall be sent by mail to the registered owner, if any, and to all readily identifiable lienholders of record. If it is impossible to determine the identity and address of the registered owner and all lienholders with reasonable certainty, notice shall be published once in a newspaper of general circulation in the area where the vehicle was towed from or abandoned. The Department of Public Safety maintains vehicle owner and lienholder information to assist impound lot operators in sending notifications.

Allow the Statutory Waiting Period

The timeframe during which the vehicle is held before becoming eligible for disposal or sale depends on the vehicle classification:

For a junk vehicle or abandoned vehicle, the vehicle is eligible for disposal or sale 15 days after notice is provided to the owner and lienholders.

For an unauthorized vehicle impounded by the city of Minneapolis or the city of St. Paul, the vehicle is eligible for disposal or sale 15 days after notice is sent by certified mail, return receipt requested. If the registered owner or lienholder delivers a written statement of intent to reclaim the vehicle before the expiration of the 15-day period, the vehicle is not eligible for sale until 45 days after the notice of taking, unless reclaimed by that later date.

For an unauthorized vehicle impounded by any other unit of government or impound lot operator, the vehicle is eligible for disposal or sale either 45 days after notice to the owner or upon voluntary written title transfer by the registered owner to the impound lot operator, whichever occurs earlier. A voluntary written title transfer constitutes a waiver by the registered owner of any right, title, and interest in the vehicle.

If the registered owner or lienholder exercises the right to reclaim the vehicle by paying all required charges before the waiting period expires, the vehicle shall not proceed to sale.

Retrieve Vehicle Contents

Before the vehicle is sold, the registered owner has the right to retrieve personal contents from the vehicle. An impound lot operator must establish reasonable procedures for such retrieval and may establish reasonable procedures to protect the safety and security of the impound lot and its personnel. The registered owner may retrieve identification documents, prescription medicine, and durable medical equipment such as wheelchairs, prosthetics, canes, crutches, walkers, and external braces at any time before the waiting period expires.

Additionally, a registered owner who provides proof of identity including photographic identification and documentation from a government or nonprofit agency or legal aid office showing that the owner is homeless, receives relief based on need, or is eligible for legal aid services has the unencumbered right to retrieve all contents without charge, regardless of whether the registered owner pays incurred charges, transfers title, or reclaims the vehicle. An impound lot operator operating a nonpublic lot or exclusively contracted by a unit of government must post a conspicuous notice informing vehicle owners of this right and providing examples of qualifying documentation such as EBT cards, Medical Assistance cards, and letters from government or nonprofit organizations.

Conduct the Public Auction

After the applicable waiting period has expired and the vehicle remains unclaimed, the impound lot may sell the vehicle at auction. The sale shall follow all state procedures for open and fair bidding, allowing any member of the public to bid on the vehicle. The auction must be conducted at the date, time, and location previously determined by the impound lot operator. Anyone may bid on the vehicle, including the person who reported the vehicle as abandoned, the property owner, or the towing service operator who removed it.

Generate Receipt and Apply for Title

Upon the sale of the vehicle at auction, the purchaser shall be given a receipt in a form prescribed by the registrar of motor vehicles, which serves as sufficient title to dispose of the vehicle, register it, and receive a certificate of title free and clear of all liens and claims of ownership. Before the vehicle is issued a new certificate of title, it must receive a motor vehicle safety inspection.

The purchaser must apply for the Minnesota certificate of title through Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) within a reasonable period. The application shall be submitted through any deputy registrar office or by mail to DVS. The purchaser must provide the auction receipt, proof of ownership from the sale transaction, and complete the vehicle title and registration application form.

Bonded Title Or Surety Bond Requirements

If the vehicle is more than 5 years old and was acquired through an abandoned vehicle auction where clear proof of ownership or title history is limited, the purchaser may be required to apply for a bonded certificate of title. DVS will review the application and determine whether a surety bond is necessary based on the vehicle's condition and available documentation.

If a surety bond is required, the purchaser must obtain a surety bond from an insurance company licensed to do business in Minnesota. DVS will determine the vehicle's value, and the bond amount shall be one and one-half times the determined value. The surety bond must be completed by both the applicant and the issuing insurance company and submitted to DVS. The bond will be held by DVS for 3 years. During this period, the certificate of title issued will be branded with the designation "BONDED." If no ownership claims are made against the vehicle's title during the 3-year period, the bond may be returned to the applicant and a new certificate of title may be issued without the bonded title brand.

Special Rules For Salvage Or Rebuilt Vehicles

If an impounded abandoned vehicle's existing certificate of title bears a salvage brand or damage designation, the subsequent certificate of title issued to the purchaser must also bear that brand or designation. A purchaser of a salvage vehicle is not permitted to register or operate the motor vehicle on Minnesota highways until the vehicle is restored by a licensed rebuilder, inspected by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, and a rebuilt certificate of title is issued by DVS.

Maintain Records

All records related to the abandonment, impound, notice, and sale of the vehicle must be maintained by the impound lot operator or unit of government for a period of time as determined by agency policy. Records to be retained include copies of notices sent to previous owners and lienholders, certified mail delivery receipts and return receipts, vehicle identification and condition documentation, dates of all material steps in the process, and all sale transaction documents and receipts. These records are subject to verification and review by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety.

Minnesota Storage Fees And Financial Considerations

Storage and Towing Charge Regulations

Towing charges accrued by the owner or owners of a vehicle must be reasonable for the type of vehicle removed and the circumstances surrounding its removal. The charges are assessed by the towing service that removes the vehicle and must reflect market conditions and the actual costs incurred in the towing and recovery operation.

Daily storage fees charged by impound lot operators are subject to statutory limitations. For junk vehicles and abandoned vehicles, the claim for storage costs may not exceed the costs of 25 days of storage. For unauthorized vehicles, the claim for storage costs may not exceed the costs of 55 days of storage. These limitations apply to claims made by nonpublic impound lot operators against registered vehicle owners for costs incurred during the impound and hold period.

Owner Reclamation and Payment of Charges

The registered owner or any lienholder of an impounded vehicle has the right to reclaim the vehicle from the unit of government or impound lot operator by paying all charges for towing and recovery, storage, and accident site cleanup within the applicable waiting period specified in Minnesota Statutes Section 168B.051.

However, a registered owner who is homeless or receives relief based on need, as defined by receipt of programs such as MFIP, medical assistance, general assistance, emergency assistance, Minnesota supplemental aid, MinnesotaCare, Supplemental Security Income, energy assistance, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, earned income tax credit, or Minnesota working family tax credit, is not liable for charges for recovery of cargo, storage of cargo, or accident site cleanup unless those costs are covered by the owner's motor vehicle insurance.

Sale Proceeds and Fund Remittance

From the proceeds of a sale of an abandoned or unauthorized vehicle conducted by a unit of government or public impound lot, the unit of government shall reimburse itself for the costs of towing, preserving, and storing the vehicle and all administrative, notice, and publication costs incurred in handling the vehicle. Any remainder from the proceeds of the sale shall be held for the owner of the vehicle or entitled lienholder for 90 days. After the 90-day period, any unclaimed balance shall be deposited in the treasury of the unit of government.

The operator of a nonpublic impound lot may retain all proceeds derived from a sale conducted under Minnesota law. The operator may also retain all proceeds from the sale of personal belongings and contents in the vehicle that were not claimed by the registered owner or the owner's agent before the sale, except that any suspected contraband or other items that likely would be subject to forfeiture in a criminal proceeding must be turned over to the appropriate law enforcement agency.

A nonpublic impound lot operator has a deficiency claim against the registered owner of the vehicle for the reasonable costs of services provided in the towing, storage, and inspection of the vehicle minus the proceeds of the sale or auction. However, this deficiency claim is limited to the storage costs specified above: 25 days for junk and abandoned vehicles, and 55 days for unauthorized vehicles.

Contact Information

Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Driver and Vehicle Services Division
445 Minnesota Street, Suite 195, Town Square Building, St. Paul, MN 55101-5190
Phone: (651) 201-7777
Official Website: Minnesota Department of Public Safety