How To Claim an Abandoned Vehicle in Washington

Abandoned vehicles in Washington may be claimed in accordance with state statutes and legal processes administered by registered tow truck operators and the Washington State Department of Licensing. Under RCW Chapter 46.55, vehicles held by authorized towing operators for 120 consecutive hours are classified as abandoned and must be sold at public auction unless redeemed by owners or lienholders. The process requires strict adherence to notice timelines, publication requirements, and auction procedures to ensure that ownership transfers lawfully to successful bidders.

What Qualifies as an Abandoned Vehicle in Washington

Under RCW 46.55.010, an abandoned vehicle is defined as a vehicle that a registered tow truck operator has impounded and held in the operator's possession for 120 consecutive hours. Before achieving abandoned status, a vehicle is classified as an unauthorized vehicle if it remains unattended in specified public or private locations for the defined period. Washington distinguishes between public and private locations and differentiates based on whether the property is properly posted.

In public locations, an unauthorized vehicle subject to removal includes a vehicle that constitutes an accident or traffic hazard requiring immediate removal; a vehicle tagged as required on a highway and subject to removal after 24 hours; a vehicle in a publicly owned or controlled parking facility, properly posted, subject to immediate removal; and a vehicle within the right-of-way used by a regional transit authority or city streetcar system that constitutes an obstruction or jeopardizes public safety, subject to immediate removal.

On private locations, an unauthorized vehicle subject to removal includes a vehicle on residential property, subject to immediate removal; a vehicle on private nonresidential property, properly posted under state law, subject to immediate removal; and a vehicle on private nonresidential property not posted, subject to removal after 24 hours.

Once a registered tow truck operator lawfully impounds a vehicle and holds it for 120 consecutive hours without the vehicle being redeemed by an authorized party, the vehicle transitions to abandoned status and becomes subject to the mandatory sale process. The Washington State Patrol develops uniform impound procedures and maintains records related to abandoned vehicle removal and custody.

Process To Claim an Abandoned Vehicle in Washington

Understanding the Abandoned Vehicle Process

Washington operates a mandatory public auction system for abandoned vehicles. The vehicle cannot be retailed, transferred, or disposed of outside the auction process, with limited exceptions for wrecker or scrap processors. Successful bidders at a public auction acquire ownership of the vehicle upon payment of the winning bid. Registration and legal operation of the vehicle depend on the buyer's application for title within 15 days of purchase. No possession of an abandoned vehicle transfers ownership; only the auction process and subsequent title application confer legal ownership rights. The registered owner remains liable for costs incurred in removing, storing, and disposing of the vehicle unless a report of sale has been timely and properly filed with the Department of Licensing.

Report the Unclaimed Vehicle

When a vehicle is impounded for unauthorized use, the registered tow truck operator shall immediately notify the law enforcement agency having jurisdiction by telephone or radio. Within 6 to 12 hours of impoundment, the law enforcement agency shall provide the operator with the names, addresses, vehicle identification numbers, and other necessary information regarding the legal and registered owners. The operator shall send a written or electronic impound notice to the owners within 24 hours of impoundment. If the vehicle remains unclaimed after 120 consecutive hours, the operator shall immediately submit an abandoned vehicle report to the Department of Licensing.

Verify Title Records and Owner Information

Upon submission of the abandoned vehicle report to the Department of Licensing, the department shall provide the registered tow truck operator with the owner's information within 72 hours. If the operator receives no owner information from the department, the operator may proceed with an inspection of the vehicle to determine whether owner identification is present. If the operator finds no owner identification, the operator shall immediately notify the appropriate law enforcement agency, which shall search the vehicle and records to determine ownership.

Send Required Notices

Within 24 hours of receiving owner information from the Department of Licensing, the tow truck operator shall send by first-class mail a notice of custody and sale to the legal and registered owners. The notice must include the name, address, and 24-hour telephone number of the impounding tow firm; the location, time, and authority of the impound; a written notice of the right of redemption and opportunity for a hearing; and notice that the registered tow truck operator will store personal belongings at no cost if the owner or agent retrieves them before auction and signs a personal belongings storage request form. The operator shall obtain a certificate of mailing from the United States Postal Service.

Allow the Statutory Waiting Period

An impounded abandoned vehicle that is not redeemed within 15 days of mailing the notice of custody and sale shall be sold at public auction. A vehicle may be redeemed at any time before the start of the auction upon payment of all applicable towing and storage fees by the legal owner, the registered owner, a person authorized in writing by the registered owner, the vehicle's insurer or vendor, a third-party insurer with documented consent, a person with verified permission from the registered owner, or a person with proof of purchase from the registered owner. All towing and storage charges must be paid before redemption. No registered owner is eligible to purchase a vehicle at a public auction if the vehicle was impounded for a suspended license violation.

File Notice of Sale and Schedule Auction

At least 15 days prior to expiration of the redemption period, the registered tow truck operator shall schedule a public auction. If a suspended license impound has been ordered, the operator may not hold a vehicle for longer than 90 days without conducting an auction.

Publish Auction Notice

A notice of the date, place, time, and method to contact the tow truck operator must be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the county where the vehicle is located, not less than 3 days and no more than 10 days before the auction date. The notice may be published in a commercial, free classified advertisement circular if it is widely circulated and not affiliated with the operator. The notice shall state that a public viewing period will be available before the auction and the length of the viewing period.

Conduct the Public Auction

The auction shall be held during daylight hours of a normal business day. The viewing period must be 1 hour if 25 or fewer vehicles are to be auctioned, 2 hours if more than 25 and fewer than 50 vehicles are to be auctioned, and 3 hours if 50 or more vehicles are to be auctioned. All persons present shall be given an equal time and opportunity to bid. Bidders must be present at the auction unless they have submitted a written bid at least 5 days before the auction, including their name, address, telephone number, the vehicle being bid upon, and the bid amount. The open bid process shall be used so that all bidders know the dollar value that must be exceeded. The two highest bids received shall be recorded in writing, including the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of each bidder. If the high bidder defaults, the next bidder has the right to purchase for their bid amount. The successful bidder shall apply for title within 15 days.

Complete The Bill Of Sale And Title Documents

The registered tow truck operator shall complete an abandoned vehicle report-affidavit of sale showing the sales date, purchaser name, lien amount, and sale price. The affidavit of sale shall include a record of the two highest bid offers with bidder names, addresses, and telephone numbers. A copy of the newspaper advertisement and the auction procedure shall be posted at the bidding site. The operator shall maintain a transaction file on the vehicle for a minimum of 3 years containing all required documentation, including the impoundment authorization, impound notice, impoundment notification, abandoned vehicle report, notice of custody and sale, publication notice, affidavit of sale, bid records, redemption opportunity notice, and itemized invoice of charges.

Apply For Title

The successful bidder shall apply for a certificate of ownership within 15 days of purchase. The application shall be submitted to the Department of Licensing, a county auditor, or an authorized agent. The buyer must submit the abandoned vehicle report-affidavit of sale along with a certificate of ownership application and any other documents required by law. The buyer must pay applicable title and registration fees. A penalty fee applies if the title is not applied for within 15 calendar days, and a misdemeanor charge may result if the title is not applied for within 45 days.

Special Rules For Salvage, Rebuilt, Or Inoperable Vehicles

Washington state law does not impose special restrictions on abandoned vehicles based on salvage or rebuilt status during the auction process. However, if a vehicle bears a salvage title at the time of auction, the subsequent title issued to the purchaser shall also bear the salvage brand. A vehicle that has been declared a total loss by an insurance company and branded as salvage must be inspected and certified by the Washington State Patrol before a rebuilt title may be issued. Purchasers of salvage-branded vehicles must comply with all state inspection and rebuilding requirements before the vehicle can be registered or operated.

Maintain Records

All registered tow truck operators must keep a transaction file on each vehicle for a minimum of 3 years. The file shall contain the signed impoundment authorization, a record of the 24-hour written notice to law enforcement, a copy of the impound notification sent to owners within 24 hours, a copy of the abandoned vehicle report returned by the department, a copy and proof of mailing of the notice of custody and sale, a copy of the published auction notice, the affidavit of sale showing sale date, purchaser, lien amount, and sale price, a record of the two highest bids with bidder information, a copy of the notice of opportunity for hearing, an itemized invoice of charges, and documentation of any bailment arrangements. Transaction files may be created and stored electronically using software developed for that business purpose, including cloud storage or other acceptable, reliable methods accessible during normal business hours for audit or inspection by the Department of Licensing, the Washington State Patrol, or any law enforcement agency with jurisdiction. Electronic records must be maintained in folders labeled with the date of the towing service and organized in chronological order.

Washington Storage Fees And Financial Considerations

Storage Fee Rules

Storage fees begin accruing when the vehicle is delivered to a storage facility. All fees must be included in the towing and storage rates; no separate fees for other services are permitted. Under RCW 46.55.130, the accumulation of storage charges applied to the lien at auction may not exceed 15 additional days from the date the operator receives owner information from the Department of Licensing, plus any storage charges accumulated before that receipt. This cap limits exposure to storage costs for vehicle owners. Vehicles redeemed before auction are subject to payment of all accumulated storage charges from the time of impoundment through redemption. If a registered tow truck operator fails to comply with time limits prescribed by statute, storage charges are limited to 5 days except where delay is unavoidable. Providing incorrect or incomplete information to the department shall be considered a failure to comply with time limits; storage charges resume accruing on the date correct and complete information is provided.

Towing And Recovery Charges

Towing and storage rates must be filed with the Washington State Department of Licensing. The maximum daily storage rate and towing hourly rate listed on the fee schedule may not exceed 135 percent of the rate established for Class A tow trucks as defined in WAC 308-61. Operators must post their current rate schedule at their licensed office location and make rates available to customers. Operators may not add charges for other services, and towing companies must display all charges on their rate sheet. A registered tow truck operator holding a valid and signed impoundment authorization has a lien upon the impounded vehicle for towing and storage services, except in cases where the impound is determined to be invalid. The operator also has a deficiency claim against the registered owner for towing and storage services not to exceed $500 after deduction of the amount bid at auction, or $1,000 for vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating exceeding 10,000 pounds.

Disputes Over Charges

Any person seeking to redeem an impounded vehicle has a right to a hearing in district or municipal court for the jurisdiction in which the vehicle was impounded to contest the validity of the impoundment or the amount of towing and storage charges. A written hearing request must be received by the appropriate court within 10 days of receiving the notice of opportunity to hear and at least 5 days before the auction date. A filing fee equal to the cost of filing a suit in district court must be paid at the time of filing. The court may determine whether the impoundment was proper, whether towing or storage fees comply with posted rates, and who is responsible for payment. The court may not adjust fees that comply with posted or contracted rates. If the impoundment is found improper, the registered and legal owners shall bear no impoundment, towing, or storage fees, and the person or agency authorizing the impound shall be liable for all fees. The court shall also award reasonable damages for loss of use of the vehicle and may assess attorney's fees if judgment is not paid within 15 days.

Sale Proceeds And Excess Funds

All surplus moneys derived from the auction after satisfaction of the registered tow truck operator's lien and all accumulated towing and storage charges shall be remitted within 30 days to the Department of Licensing for deposit in the state motor vehicle fund. A report identifying the vehicles resulting in any surplus shall accompany the remitted funds. If the Department of Licensing subsequently receives a valid claim from the registered vehicle owner of record within one year of the auction date, the surplus moneys shall be remitted to that owner. If the operator receives no bid at auction or is the successful bidder, the operator shall, within 45 days, either sell the vehicle to a licensed vehicle wrecker, hulk hauler, or scrap processor by using the affidavit of sale or apply for title to the vehicle. A registered owner who has completed and filed a report of sale with the department and has timely and properly filed that report is relieved of liability for towing and storage deficiency claims.

Contact Information

Washington State Department of Licensing
1125 Washington Street SE, Olympia, WA 98501
Phone: (360) 902-3900
Official Website: Washington State Department of Licensing