Arkansas Code of 1987 (2023) › Title 27 - TRANSPORTATION (§§ 27-1-101 — 27-117-105) › Subtitle 4 - MOTOR VEHICULAR TRAFFIC (§§ 27-49-101 — 27-54-101) › Chapter 50 - PENALTIES AND ENFORCEMENT (§§ 27-50-101 — 27-50-1224) › Subchapter 12 - REMOVAL OF UNATTENDED OR ABANDONED VEHICLES (§§ 27-50-1201 — 27-50-1224) › Section 27-50-1206 - Notice to storage firm - Definition

(a)
(1)
For all requests to a licensed towing and storage firm to remove and store an unattended vehicle, abandoned vehicle, or impounded or seized vehicle, the law enforcement agency shall issue a written order that states the removal is for nonconsent services and shall provide information supplied from the records of the Office of Motor Vehicle, Arkansas Crime Information Center records, or the motor vehicle records of another state indicating the name and address of the last registered owner, the name and address of the holder of any recorded lien on the vehicle, and the vehicle identification or serial number of the vehicle.
(2)
If there is evidence in the vehicle indicating that the vehicle is registered in another state, the information shall be supplied from the motor vehicle records of that state.
(3)
(A)
If a law enforcement officer or other official issues a hold against the release of the vehicle, the law enforcement officer's order to remove and store the vehicle shall include a written explanation for the issuance of the hold.
(B)
When the hold on the vehicle is released, the law enforcement officer or other official who issued the hold shall provide written notice of the release to the towing and storage firm.
(b)
(1)
In the event that readily available records fail to disclose the name of the owner or any lienholder of record, the law enforcement officer or his or her agency shall notify in writing the towing and storage firm that after receiving the notice the towing and storage firm is required to perform a good faith search to locate documents or other evidence of ownership and lienholder information on or within the unattended vehicle, abandoned vehicle, or impounded or seized vehicle.
(2)
For purposes of this subsection, a "good faith search" means that the towing and storage firm checks the unattended vehicle, abandoned vehicle, or impounded or seized vehicle for any type of license plate, license plate record, temporary permit, inspection sticker, decal, or other evidence that may indicate a possible state of registration and title.
(3)
The towing and storage firm shall provide in writing to the law enforcement officer or agency the results of the search and, if appropriate, certify that a physical search of the unattended vehicle, abandoned vehicle, or impounded or seized vehicle disclosed that no ownership documents were found and that a good faith search was conducted.
(4)
If the vehicle is subject to a hold limiting access to the vehicle, the law enforcement agency issuing the hold shall perform a good faith search to locate documents or other evidence of ownership and lienholder information to the extent required to preserve limited access to the vehicle.
(c)
(1)
Within not more than twenty-four (24) hours from the order to remove, the officer involved or his or her agency shall contact the towing and storage firm and advise the firm of any unusual circumstances causing the delay of the required information that was not available to the officer at the time the order to remove was issued.
(2)
The officer or agency shall provide the delayed information immediately upon receipt.
(d)
When a vehicle is removed under this subchapter by law enforcement and is subject to impoundment or seizure pursuant to police power or any lawful court order, the law enforcement officer shall provide to the towing and storage firm a written statement setting forth the conditions of release of the vehicle.
Acts 1993, No. 1000, § 6; 1997, No. 841, § 2; 2001, No. 1830, § 3; 2005, No. 1878, § 5; 2007, No. 1053, § 7; 2011, No. 1025, § 4.