How to Get an Abandoned Vehicle Title in Nevada
It’s easy to get an abandoned vehicle title in Nevada, as long as you own the property where it was abandoned.
Written by Jasmine Kanter
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
The owner of the property with an abandoned vehicle on it may apply to claim it with a bonded title in
Nevada
. Otherwise, the tow company that removed it or the garage that stored it will probably junk it.Most people look at an abandoned vehicle and see an ugly, unlawful heap of scrap. You, however, see something different: an antique. An art project. The ultimate DIY accomplishment. Unfortunately, getting a new title for an old piece of junk is a little more complicated than finder’s keepers.
Whatever your reasoning, if you’d like to get an abandoned vehicle title in Nevada, we’re here to help. You’ll learn what makes a vehicle abandoned, who decides the disposition of vehicles, and the conditions of claiming it. The only thing we don’t cover is
how much it’ll cost to tow
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4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ driversWhat is an abandoned vehicle title?
The old Ford F-250 SuperDuty left at the edge of the woods might be rusty and broken, but it has at least one thing in common with a new car: to become its legal owner, you must get a title. An abandoned vehicle title grants ownership of any vehicle discarded by its previous owner. According to the Nevada Revised Statutes, these laws apply equally to cars, pickup trucks, SUVs, crossovers, motorcycles, motorhomes, and mobile homes.
When is a car declared abandoned in Nevada?
A car can be declared abandoned in Nevada after being removed from public or private property and left unclaimed by its owner (following
proper notification
). The amount of time the registered owner has to reclaim it depends on where the vehicle was found and how much it’s worth. The timeline generally goes something like this:
- A discarded vehicle is discovered and reported. The public can report a suspected abandoned vehicle to the local sheriff’s office, police department, park ranger’s office, or Nevada Highway Patrol division. If it’s parked on private property, the agency will pass the information on to the owner of the property.
- The vehicle is removed. Under theNevada Revised Statutes, onlylaw enforcement and state agenciesmay remove vehicles from public property. Private property owners can order a tow at their discretion, but they must first notify the car’s legal owner by posting a visible sign, leaving a written note, or giving a verbal warning.
- The owner of the vehicle is notified of its removal. Law enforcement will try to contact the registered owner or lienholder by looking up the vehicle’s license plates and registration. They’ll also check whether its vehicle identification number (VIN) is marked stolen.
- The vehicle is appraised. An agency will evaluate the car’s worth within 10 days.
- The owner of the vehicle is given 15-45 days to reclaim it. Abandoned vehicles worth $500 or less will be junked after15 days. Any car worth more than that must be stored for at least45 days. If time runs out—because the legal owner can’t be found, refuses to reclaim the vehicle, or provides a bill of sale proving they’re no longer responsible for it—then the vehicle is declared abandoned.
- The abandoned vehicle is disposed of. If it was found on public property, it's usually given to the tow company or garage that removed and stored it to cover their labor costs. If it was found on private property, the owner of the property may claim it—but they won’t be able to scrap or disassemble it without the proper license.
MORE:
How soon can an abandoned vehicle be towed?
How soon a vehicle can be towed depends on its parking location and whether it poses a public safety hazard. A discarded car can be removed after spending 24 hours in a private garage, 48 hours on private property, or three days on a public street. The vehicle will be sent to a registered garage (if found on public property), or to the property owner's location of choice (if found on private property).
Key Takeaway If a vehicle’s owner can’t be found or makes no attempt to reclaim it for 15-45 days after its removal, it will be declared abandoned.
MORE: My car got towed. Now what?
Can you claim an abandoned vehicle in Nevada?
Yes, you can claim an abandoned vehicle in Nevada, but only if you’re the owner of the property where it was found. No need to get a court order—you can apply directly at the DMV for a
bonded title
.For a bonded title, you'll need to complete several affidavits and wait for the Carson City Title Research Department to verify that the vehicle isn't stolen. The department will also contact the previous owner to see if they’re willing to waive their ownership rights. If the previous owner can’t be found, you must promise to repay them 150% of the vehicle’s value (or 25% of its original MSRP) if they step forward in the next three years.
A vehicle title bond applies even if you end up selling the car, so think twice before you sign any affidavits. What if the previous owner tries to reclaim their property? Can you afford to pay them?
How much does it cost to register an abandoned motor vehicle in Nevada?
The cost of a title bond depends on the value of the abandoned vehicle. If a car or truck is appraised at $5,000 or less, a title bond will cost $100. For a car worth $5,001 to $25,000, a title bond will cost $20 for every $1,000 of coverage, starting at $100.
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FAQs
How long before a car is considered abandoned in Nevada?
After a vehicle is removed from the streets, a state agency will appraise its worth. Vehicles worth $500 or less are considered abandoned if their legal owner doesn’t attempt to reclaim them within 15 days. A vehicle worth more than $500 will be stored for 45 days before being declared abandoned.
How do you report an abandoned vehicle in Nevada?
The trickiest part of reporting an abandoned vehicle in Nevada is deciding who to call. Consider where it’s located—if it’s on public property, call the
state or local government
or police department. If it’s within a state park
, call the park’s rangers or marshals. If it’s near a highway, in Carson City
, or Las Vegas
, try the Nevada Department of Public Safety’s
contact page.
