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Home Page >> Publications >> Vehicle Registration Brochures>> How To Dispose of a Vehicle Valued at $500 or Less Impounded by a Public Agency

How To Dispose of a Vehicle Valued at $500 or Less Impounded by a Public Agency

How to Dispose of a Vehicle Valued at $500 or Less

This process may only be used to satisfy a possessory lien on a vehicle valued at $500 or less that was moved to your premises by or on behalf of a public agency for reasons other than abandonment (a vehicle that was placed in a storage garage by law enforcement).

A vehicle disposed of under these provisions can only be sold to a licensed dismantler or scrap iron processor. The vehicle cannot be restored and reregistered unless it qualifies as either a horseless carriage or historical vehicle.

How Do I Get Owner Information?

To receive a copy of the vehicle record listing the owner(s) and interested parties, fill out a Registration Information Request For Lien Sale (INF 1126) form. A fee* is charged for the vehicle record information. If DMV has no vehicle record, follow the instructions outlined below.

How Soon Must I Submit the Request for Information to DMV?

DMV must receive your request (INF 1126) within 15 working days following the date of possession or you may not charge for storage beyond that 15-day period. A California Law Enforcement Telecommunications Service (CLETS) print-out (obtained by the impounding law enforcement agency) for the vehicle may be accepted in lieu of the DMV printout (INF 1126).

Notice of Your Lien

After you receive the information from DMV, you must send the following forms by certified mail (return receipt requested) or by United States Postal Service Certificate of Mailing, to the registered and legal owner(s), if any, and any other persons with an interest in the vehicle:

1. A completed Notice of Intent to Dispose of a Vehicle Valued at $500 or Less (REG 684). To obtain a form by mail, call DMV's automated phone service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-777-0133. To speak to an operator call between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday - Friday, Pacific Standard Time.

2. A return envelope pre-addressed to you as a lienholder.

NOTE: Disposal of the vehicle depends on whether a Declaration of Opposition is made.

Disposition Without Declaration of Opposition

You may dispose of the vehicle to a licensed dismantler or scrap iron processor no earlier than 15 days after the Notice of Intent to Dispose of a Vehicle was mailed.

What If I Receive a Declaration of Opposition?

You may not dispose of the vehicle if you receive a Declaration of Opposition that is completed, signed, and postmarked within 10 days of the date your notice was mailed, until you:

  • obtain a release of interest from the declarant (person opposing the sale)
    OR
  • file an action in court within 20 days of the date the Notice of Intent to Dispose of a Vehicle Valued $300 or Less (REG 684) was mailed and obtain the judgement in your favor
    OR
  • have evidence that you were unable to serve the declarant pursuant to Vehicle Code §22851.8(e).

If You File an Action in Court

The declarant may be served by certified mail (return receipt requested). If the summons is returned unclaimed, you may proceed with disposal. The unopened unclaimed summons must accompany the documents provided to the licensed dismantler or scrap iron processor.

OR

The declarant may be served in person by a marshal, sheriff, or licensed process server. (Process servers are registered by the County Clerk of the respective counties.) If the marshal, sheriff, or process server cannot effect service on the declarant, you may continue with the judicial proceeding or proceed with disposal. If you are unable to accomplish service you must notify DMV, Lien Sale Unit, at the following address:

Department of Motor Vehicles
Lien Sales Unit
P.O. Box 932317
Sacramento, CA 94232-3170

Provide the Lien Sale Unit with a copy of the documents with which service on the declarant was attempted and an Application for Authorization to Continue Lien Sale After Unsuccessful Service (REG 659). You can call the DMV Lien Sale Unit at (916)-657-7617 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. if you have questions regarding this process.

Upon receipt of your notification of unsuccessful service, DMV will send you authorization to proceed with the disposition of the vehicle and notify the declarant of the authorization. If the declarant is served, a copy of the court judgment issued in your favor must be submitted with the documents provided to the licensed dismantler or scrap iron processor.

What Documents Are Given to the Licensed Dismantler or Scrap Iron Processor?

You must deliver the following to a licensed dismantler or scrap iron processor:

1. A copy of the notice sent to all parties with postal receipts attached.

2. The impound report from the public agency. A Miscellaneous Statements of Fact (REG 256) indicating the value can be completed by the garagekeeper or agent if the public agency fails or refuses to put a value on the vehicle within three days after the vehicle removal date.

3. A Statements of Fact for Vehicle Valued at $500 or Less Removed by a Public Agency for Reasons Other Than Abandonment (REG 686) completed and signed by you.

4. A Statements of Fact (REG 256) stating a Declaration of Opposition was not received.

OR

If a valid opposition was received, a copy of any court judgment, or a copy of DMV's authorization to continue the sale.

What If the Vehicle Is Redeemed?

If the owner claims the vehicle before disposal, you may recover your towing and storage costs and your costs (not to exceed $70) to process the required notices.

How To Dispose of a Vehicle With No DMV Record and/or Known Interested Party(ies)

Complete the following forms:

*obtained by the impounding law enforcement agency for preparation of the impound report or subsequent impound hearing.