Michigan Statewide Rule
Michigan Abandoned Vehicle Removal And Disposal Law
Key Facts
- Public property threshold
- 48 hours unattended
- Notice mechanism
- Secretary of State LEIN entry
- Hearing right
- Owner may contest in district court
- Statute
- MCL 257.252a et seq.
Summary
Michigan's Vehicle Code establishes uniform statewide procedures for declaring, towing, and disposing of abandoned vehicles, preempting most local rules.
257.252a Abandoned vehicle; presumption of responsibility; violation; penalty; "abandoned vehicle" defined; notice; duties of police agency; contest by owner; hearing; request; fee; towing and storage charges; secured party; obtaining release of vehicle; inspection; public sale; inability to determine ownership of abandoned vehicle; entry into law enforcement information network. Sec. 252a. (1) A person shall not abandon a vehicle in this state. It is presumed that the last titled owner of the vehicle is responsible for abandoning the vehicle unless the person provides a record of the sale as that term is defined in section 240. A person who violates this subsection and who fails to redeem the vehicle before disposition of the vehicle under section 252g is responsible for a civil infraction and shall be ordered to pay a civil fine of $50.00. (2) As used in this section and sections 252b through 252l, "abandoned vehicle" means any of the following: (a) A vehicle that has remained on private property without the consent of the owner. (b) A vehicle that has remained on public property for a period of not less than 48 hours, or on a state trunk line highway as described in section 1 of 1951 PA 51, MCL 247.651, as follows: (i) If a valid registration plate is affixed to the vehicle, for a period of not less than 18 hours. (ii) If a valid registration plate is not affixed to the vehicle. (c) A vehicle, other than a late-model vehicle, to which all of the following apply:
Full Breakdown
Under MCL 257.252a-257.252l, a vehicle is abandoned if left on public property over 48 hours or on private property without consent. Police must enter the vehicle into LEIN, send a notice to the registered owner via the Secretary of State, and follow statutory redemption timelines before custodians may auction or scrap it. Local governments may enforce these procedures but cannot shorten the statutory notice period or bypass the state-mandated hearing rights.
Violations & Penalties
Improper disposal exposes towing companies and municipalities to civil liability and statutory damages.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Michigan city impound a car after only 24 hours?
How does an owner reclaim a towed vehicle?
Sources
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