Missouri Abandoned Vehicle Removal and Towing Standards

Missouri standardizes abandoned vehicle handling under RSMo 304.155-304.158. Law enforcement may authorize a tow if a vehicle sits unattended on a highway for more than 10 hours in urbanized areas or 24 hours elsewhere, or if it presents a safety hazard. Tow companies must promptly check NCIC for stolen status and maintain records for three years. Owners or lienholders may reclaim a vehicle upon proof of ownership and payment of reasonable charges. Unclaimed vehicles may be sold at public auction or processed for scrap following statutory notice procedures. Cities operate within this framework but cannot bypass core notice and reclamation rights.

Owners face towing, storage, and administrative fees. Failure to reclaim within statutory notice windows leads to title transfer, auction sale, or scrap disposition with proceeds applied to charges.