How to Legally Remove an Abandoned Car in Utah

Is there an abandoned car on your property?

Whether you’re talking about a car that’s been rusting in the woods for decades or a broken-down clunker that someone ditched on the street next to your house, you can legally get them removed.

Even if you don’t have the title.

But, there are a few steps you’ll have to take first. Before Tear-A-Part can remove the vehicle for you, you’ll have to have permission from the proper authorities. And have all the paperwork completed.

It’s a bit of a process, but by the time you’re done, you’ll be within legal your rights to have the vehicle towed away.

Here are the steps you’ll need to take to get rid of an abandoned vehicle.

Know the Laws

Removing a vehicle that you don’t own without following the Utah abandoned vehicle laws can lead to an infraction. You don’t want that.

So the very first thing you need to do is read the laws, and have an understanding of the legal requirements. You can find the pertinent laws in their entirety here.

According to the laws in Utah, an abandoned vehicle is one that is left unattended:

• On a highway for more than 48 hours
• On public or private property for more than seven days without express or complied consent of the property owner

If the vehicle on your property meets the above definition of “abandoned,” you can begin the process of having it removed. If not, wait for the appropriate amount of time, and then continue.

Notify the Authorities

Utah law goes on to say that a peace officer can remove the abandoned vehicle, or cause it to be removed according to Section 41-6a-1406 or 73-18-20-1. It also says that a warrant is not needed for the removal.

So notify the authorities that there is an abandoned vehicle on your property, and you’d like to begin the process of getting it removed.

An abandoned vehicle is not an emergency.

Don’t tie up the emergency lines to report an abandoned vehicle. There are non-emergency numbers for your local law enforcement agencies.

You’ll work with the law enforcement agency throughout the process, and they’ll be able to answer all your questions. They will need to come and investigate, to see if they can track down the legal owner of the vehicle.

Fill Out the Paperwork

You will need to fill out some paperwork during the removal process. Here’s a checklist of everything that towing companies have to have before they can remove the vehicle from your property.

Not all of this is your responsibility, but some of it will be. You’ll need to provide information on why you’re requesting removal of the vehicle, where it is located, and when it was abandoned (if you know.)

A statement of the condition of the vehicle will also be required. If the vehicle has been abandoned for years, and is just sitting in your field or woods, remember to use caution when approaching the vehicle. There could be rats, insects, or other pests living inside.

Be sure to fill out all the paperwork honestly, and as completely as possible.

Give Tear-A-Part a Call

Once law enforcement agencies have officially declared the vehicle abandoned, and you’ve completed the required paperwork, go ahead and give Tear-A-Part a call. We can work with you to schedule a tow truck to come remove the vehicle from your property.

Remember to tell us that it’s an abandoned vehicle, as the steps we need to take are also different in this situation.

Let’s work together to get that clunker out of your life!