New York Codes, Rules and Regulations › Title 15 - Department of Motor Vehicles › Chapter I - REGULATIONS OF THE COMMISSIONER › Subchapter B - Registration, Certificate of Title, and Number Plates › Part 18 - Abandoned Vehicles › Section 18.4 - Vesting of title and notice to owner and lienholders

Current through Register Vol. 46, No. 28, July 10, 2024
(a) If an inquiry is required under section
				  18.3 
				  of this Part and the identity of the owner is ascertained, section 1224  of the Vehicle and Traffic Law
				  requires the local authority to send a notice to such owner and to every
				  lienholder made known to the local authority by the State licensing authority,
				  before ownership may be acquired by the local authority. If such vehicle is
				  unclaimed, ownership shall vest in such local authority 10 days from the date
				  such notices are given, unless otherwise provided by law. The required notice
				  shall be sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, and
				  shall be in the form prescribed in subdivision (d) of this section. Cities
				  having a population of over one million may give the required notices by
				  telephone or in person.
(b) If an
				  inquiry is required under section
				  18.3 
				  of this Part, and the identity of the owner cannot be ascertained, ownership of
				  the vehicle shall vest in the local authority without any additional notice
				  being required, when notice of such fact is received.
(c) If an inquiry is not required under
				  section
				  18.3 
				  of this Part, ownership of the vehicle shall vest in the local authority
				  immediately.
(d) Forms of notice.
(1) To owner.
NAME AND ADDRESS
of
LOCAL AUTHORITY
Mr. John Doe
10 Any Street
Anytown, New York 10000
Date of Letter
Vehicle Plate No.
Year and Make
Vehicle Identification Number
Dear Sir(Madam):
The abandoned vehicle described above was removed by
					 ________ (county, city, town, village) after being left unattended. You may
					 claim this vehicle until ________ (ten days from above date) by appearing at
					 ________.
However, whether you claim the vehicle or not, you must pay
					 the cost of its removal and storage.
Unless you claim the vehicle by the date listed in the
					 preceding paragraph, (county, city, town or village) will acquire ownership of
					 the vehicle. It will then be sold. Sale, removal and storage costs will be paid
					 from the proceeds of the sale. If those charges exceed the proceeds of the
					 sale, you must pay the difference. If the sale price exceeds the charges, you
					 may claim the remaining funds, within one year, by appearing at
					 ________.
If you have questions, you may call
(name)
()
_________
(phone number)
............
............
(Print name)
Very truly yours,
(Print title)
(Signature)
(2) To lienholder(s).
NAME AND ADDRESS
of
LOCAL AUTHORITY
Name and Address of Lienholder
Date of Letter
Vehicle Plate No.
Year and Make
Vehicle Identification Number
Dear Sir:
The abandoned vehicle described above was removed by
					 ________ (county, city, town, village) after being left unattended.
Under Section 1224 of the New York State Vehicle and
					 Traffic Law, ________ (county, city, town, village) will acquire ownership of
					 the vehicle on
(date) unless it is (date)
claimed by the owner of a lienholder. The person claiming
					 the vehicle is responsible for the cost of its removal and storage.
If the vehicle is unclaimed, your lien will be terminated.
					 You may claim this vehicle by appearing at ________. Additional information may
					 be obtained by calling name,
address
Very truly yours,
(Print name)
(Print title)
(Signature)